I really wanted to like Satellite Room, and I a...
I really wanted to like Satellite Room, and I actually kind of did, for the atmosphere (funky industrial-ish not-quite-a-dive exposed cinder block darkness) and for its proximity to the 9:30 Club (right next door), but not for its primary purpose (dinner before the show). Food: pretty meh. The gravy on the tater tot poutine didn't have a homemade flavor or consistency and drowned the dish; couldn't taste the cheese curds or the tots. $5 poutine needs to be great, not meh. The onion rings were fairly oily (I know when you fry stuff, it swims in oil, but your oil temperature/cleanliness and your batter should produce non-greasy food) and the onions inside were slightly undercooked. Burger had a great flavor but was small for the price, and too much aioli meant the toppings all squished out when I bit into it. The top of the bun had been brushed with butter which makes it look nice but also makes it feel greasy. Food prices very high for the quality. We spent $70 plus tip on 2 rounds of drinks, 2 burgers and a poutine. This isn't bad if the food is great but really hurts when the food is just so-so. Service: also meh. Our server was nice enough. She wasn't rude or anything. But she was really an order-taker, a term which industry people will understand: she got the basics of the job done but there was none of the extra touches that define good service. No offer to answer questions about the menu, no attempt to suggest items to us, no anticipation of our needs throughout the meal. Another aspect where things need to be better if you're in this price range. Bottom line: I'd return if I was absolutely crunched for time and ended a quick meal before seeing a show at the 9:30; but otherwise there's a ton of competition in this neighborhood and I'll probably continue to check them out. Which makes me kind of sad. I'd love for the burger place next to the 9:30 to be awesome,