| RATINGS
(out
of 5)
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matt hoffer |
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I
remember fondly the impetus of the SL4 dining experiences was
for us all to be adventurous, seeking out new and obscure places
to eat. To be honest, lately some of the choices have been lame
and I felt as if eventually we would be eating at 7 –
11 pulling slurpees and aged hot dogs off the counter and then
attempting to write a review as we huddle around the gas pumps.
Gone are the days of adventure and intrigue that landed us at
the Travel Center or R J’s or Cup O Comfort – strange
places with strange experiences. We have sadly lost our quest
for the new. In an attempt
to try somewhere new and more importantly utilize a coupon –
I selected Three
Fins – Seafood Grill. Right away this establishment
was screaming that it was abnormal and wanting us to visit –
it had been open less than 6 months! It’s location along
the highway 35 service road behind the Discount Tire store wedged
behind a renovated Burger King and within a stones throw of
Petco told us all this restaurant had an uphill battle against
the deities of real estate. We were all positive several businesses
attempted to thrive in this facility yet only their ghosts remained.
For this
visit we were joined by the award winning artist and Fab 8 con
man Matt
Hofer. Matt’s claim to fame is that he currently works
for TAMS as a resident assistant and he is also a sidewalk
chalk award winner. This summer Matt was involved in a Chinese
street fight and managed to get his elbow sliced open –
we think it had something to do with him drawing lewd pictures
on the sidewalks of Beijing in the style of Salvador Dali. Matt
has some mad skills.
There were
so many highlights on this trip it will be hard to remember
them all. It could have been the novelty of having a guest reviewer
on this trip or just our spirits welcoming in the cool fresh
fall weather. Oh yea, closed weekend just occurred and it is
amazing what a break can do for our spirits.
The main
doors have you enter on a corner
of the restaurant. There is a bar section and tables are scattered
throughout. With a friendly hello from the host, we were quickly
seated at a nice round table that seated us all. On our way
to the unidentified restaurant, Matt was asking us about the
history of the SL4 lunch reviews which easily started the debate
of who came up with the idea. It was decided that Dave Furman,
creator of the “caw” and Internet – did indeed
invent the SL4 lunches. Matt was amazed and entertained but
this was to be short lived…..
 This
is it? – this is all you guys talk about? I thought
there were some heavy decisions made at these lunches!
Matt,
disappointed about SL4 lunch. |
Our wait
staff greeted us, explained the specials
of the day and delivered our beverages. Everyone seemed
pleased with the choices as we all selected different dishes.
Conversations and topics for conversations were varied.
Kevin presented his idea about the Bush response to Kerry concerning
the Iraq situation. Kevin purported that since Kerry was espousing
– wrong time, wrong place, wrong war that Bush should
counter with – Ok – let’s put Saddam back
in power as the leader of Iraq and allow the U.N. to deal with
him as the leader again. Kevin floated this strategy asking
us to shoot holes in this idea before he emailed Karl Rove and
Karen Hughes. We discussed this topic and a few other current
events before Matt blurts out – “This is it? –
this is all you guys talk about? I thought there were some heavy
decisions made at these lunches!” At first we were amused
and asked what he thought took place and then Gloria quickly
jumped on the Hofer band wagon. “You see what I have to
deal with” – Gloria
explodes. “They always talk about things I’m
not interested in or things that go over my head”. {see
email excerpt below} Kevin was flabbergasted by this attack
requesting clarification and suggestions. Henry and I gleefully
sat by taking pictures and listening as the Hofer and Furman
double teamed Kevin in table topics. Gloria was determined we
discuss latest cape designs and construction while Hofer counter
punched with “let’s do more staff gossip”.
It became a free for all as bread products were thrown back
and forth. At one point our waitress came by and snuggled up
to Hofer to distract him with hopes of lowering his outbursts
(see picture below). We were leaving our impression at Three
Fins for sure.
One thing
we did agree upon was the quality of the food. Kevin, Matt and
myself ordered fish – which seemed like the thing to do
at a place called Three Fins Seafood Grill. Henry being the
trend setter he is ordered an interesting chicken
dish and was heard stating “this was the best chicken
ever!”
Gloria ordered a salad
and wished for a dish as splendid as Henry’s. Our guest
reviewer Matt – said about his meal – “short
of a saltwater baptism, the chargrilled
Chopitouli St. Andrew was a seafood revival in my mouth”.
It was the first time we witnessed someone licking their plate.
We think it was something Hofer adapted while fighting sidewalk
ninjas in Bangkok. Kevin and I were both pleased with our dishes
(Kevin's
\ Russ').
I was doubly pleased since I was able to assert a coupon which
reduced our total bill by 20%. I think the price is what kept
us all from ranking all 5’s for this establishment. Even
though Matt stated, “I just wish there was some genuine
Bay City atmosphere. It was like being in a Rembrandt painting,
the lighting was so harsh.” I think it was the fact there
were no crayons or chalk to draw with at the table or the fact
that our waitress had to call him down in the middle of his
tirade that kept his scoring low.
Visit the
Three Fins Seafood Grill – enjoy the food, atmosphere
and libations – just be sure to mind what you talk about!
Click
to read the juicy details:
