Mermaid Inn

June 14th-

So.......my husband and I thought we were somewhat safe in planning a semi casual/romantic dinner on the upper west side at 9:00 pm on a Saturday evening in the summer when most of the annoying people migrate to the Hamptons. Anyway, it appears, we have much to learn. We were seated in the back.....not where we wanted to be, but we had been there before and had a wonderful time, so we felt ok about it. Although, when we sat down and observed all the gray hairs in our midst, I was concerned for a moment. What had we done wrong? We dressed well. Had we called too late? Our waiter was friendly. Our cocktails were good.....the cucumber martini is to die for. The oysters were amazing! So far....so good. Then.... the table of seven arrived. They had a two year old....mind you....they didn't arrive until at least nine thirty. A two year old up at nine thirty? Really? You would take him out? Too cheap for a sitter? Think everyone loves a side of screaming two year on a Saturday evening? We should have bolted at once. But, we ordered our entrees....the skate and the daily special which was the mackerel. Meanwhile, this child was walking about......cooing and whining in a normal annoying baby sort of way......but the parents were oblivious, of course. We shouldn't have been surprised as the upper west side is kind of known for its obnoxious, inconsiderate parents, but we wanted to be optimistic. Our entrees arrived and frankly, they were just plain so so. Both of the pieces of fish were fried, which is my least favorite way to have fish, and the mackerel had a very strong fishy taste. I did really like what came with the mackerel....cauliflower, olives and capers. I really liked that combination of flavors. My mouth wasn't bored with that. I may even have to make that myself at home. However, the skate came with succotash that was so infused with bacon, that it was all I could taste. I wouldn't order either one again. I may be inclined to go back and sit at the bar and have oysters and a cucumber martini. So, to sum it up....the food wasn't as good as we had hoped, and the atmosphere wasn't what we were looking for at all. We hadn't realized we would be eating amongst the Chucky Cheese crowd. I thought it was just me, because Nathan never gets annoyed with anything ever, but to my surprise as we left he said to the hostess ever so politely, "I know its the upper west side, but maybe you could keep the children out." Yeah! Go Nathan! Anyways.....the Mermaid Inn.....pretty much sucked for us tonight, but I guess, its a great place to go if you're too cheap for a sitter.