La Caille Reviews

I walked out before even ordering appetizers. Although I've had dealings with this business for a very long time (having been involved in the photography industry in Utah all my life) I could not stand to see what's happened there in recent years. Perhaps more severe, though, is what has not occured there: namely any update of decor.

This has traditionally been the nicest restaurant in Utah, secluded on Wasatch Boulevard amongst gorgeous mountains on meticulously cared-for grounds. However, the grounds seem to have taken a severe blow rather recently; I certainly don't remember a procession of decapitated trees flanking the main drive. While the decision to destroy a multitude of historical trees on the way to a reputedly beautiful setting was made is a conjecture I'd rather not undertake, I can say that I found the downhill drive off of the grounds extremely depressing.

The dinner menu is severely limited and fairly unappetizing, as well as obscenely overpriced. I just looked up the menu at Gordon Ramsay's steakhouse in Las Vegas, and the steaks there are less expensive by the plate. If you are looking to wow your date by dropping money on the ground, you'd likely do better taking them to a jeweler's or a tailor.

I'm no stranger to expensive and exotic fare, but I'll tell you plainly that there is no excuse I would take to pay nearly two hundred dollars for two portions of food, especially not in a setting so faux that it makes even the cheapest toupee seem a convincing fake. Between injection-molded statues of unidentifiable pseudoeuropean gods and a rickety folding table, there is no room for my pocket money.

When my wife and I were first seated at said folding table (directly adjacent to the busy stairs in a room full of empty tables,) the inadequate seating was immediately apparent. The table rocked from side to side perilously, threatening to topple the single taper candle in its short stand. We asked to be reseated almost immediately, taking only a moment to find a table as far as possible from the ceiling speakers blaring christmas classical music.

We got a bottle of water (the waiter stressed this over the cheaper tap,) and drank no more than a third of it before the offputting setting and foppish menu caused us to leave. Our departure was treated almost as expected, and I recall an unsurprised voice commenting on this from the waitstaff area saying "I think table 40 is just walking out."

We were quickly followed out of the building by the only other patrons under retirement age who we saw during our time there. Our bottle of water was comped which I greatly appreciate, but the situation didn't seem to be an unusual occurrence there.

I can only hope that this revered restaurant will somehow be redeemed quickly, before more permanent damage can be done to their grounds and reputation.