My husband and I went out for restaurant week and ended up at a place called SeeSaw.  I’ve been here once before with a client and had a great time.  We sat upstairs, which doubles as a nightclub. This time when I went, we sat downstairs which has a different vibe. I’m not entirely sure what the theme of this restaurant is, but their food is described as “modern American”.  

 

• Presentation – 1 Crumb

 

The presentation of the bread itself wasn’t anything special.  It’s a pita on a plate, but the presentation of the candle and the oil is to unique for this to not get a full crumb.  The candle was pre light with rosemary sprigs on top.  As the edible candle burns, the oil from it is the oil for the bread. There is plenty of oil already on the plate, so you don’t have to wait to eat, but you conveniently have more oil to accompany your bread.

 

• Bread Variety – 1 Crumb

Typically have just one type of so-so pita would give an instant 0 or .5 crumbs, but SeeSaw offers 3 different bread services on their menu, and then a final option to get all in one.  The only reason I didn’t order that was we already had a restaurant week menu to eat, which is 3 courses by itself.  Next time I go, I plan on ordering and reviewing it, so stay tuned! Anyway, you can order what I did, the pita and edible candle, the pita with warm burrata or the pita with SeeSaw hummus.  Since they have so a tiny section of their menu dedicated to bread service, a full crumb is awarded.

 

• Quality of Bread – 0 Crumbs

SeeSaw does entrees well, that’s all.  Appetizers were just ok, same with dessert and their bread.  The pita certainly was not made in house and almost tasted like a soft tortilla shell you can buy at the grocery store.  My husband kept saying it was dry, but I had a different experience.  They served the pita bread with oil on the top.  I found that the pita was soggy and well oily.  It was doughy but had no flavor.  The oil and spice saved the entire bread service.

 

• Quantity & Quality of Spread(s) – 1 Crumb

The edible candle, although it was the focal point of the dish, it wasn’t the star; the spices were. Like I mentioned, the pita didn’t have any flavor.  The oil by itself didn’t either, I mean it’s just oil.  On the plate with the candle, there were a mix of salt, pepper, rosemary parmesan cheese flakes and orange zest. There was a spring of fresh rosemary on the candle and the flame actually caught it on fire, and smelled very nice.  The candle and spices were the star of the dish and really the only thing with flavor. Without this, we would have zero crumbs for sure!

 

 

• Cost – 1 Crumb

This was certainly worth the value, especially in a restaurant where the average appetizer is $25.  The bread service we got was only $4. Their pita and burrata is $9, and their pita with SeeSaw hummus is $6.  If you want everything, it’s $19. Very good value, especially since our server asked if we wanted more bread.  I would assume it’s never ending pita as you pretty much have unlimited oil with the edible candle. 

• Overall Crumb Score – 4/5

The unique factor played a big role on the overall score for this bread service.  A plain pita with no flavor, oil and spices…pretty lame! But, the edible candle and flavor of the spices and zest pulled it all together.  I’m still not sure what the restaurant is about as a whole.  They have an eclectic decor, ok food and poor service.  Did I mention yet that my first course didn’t come out until after my second was served? I will come back for the full bread service, but that might be all that I order.  Their cocktails are good so that’s certainly a plus.  Really I left SeeSaw with an ok dinner and a big bill.

 

Check out SeeSaw Here