Sunday, October 2, 2011

Aquarium Restaurant (Downtown)

Aquarium Restaurant Downtown

A few weeks ago, we set out on “seat of our pants” Saturday and ended up downtown exploring a few museums and spending a little time on the campus of Rice University. As we began our way home my son began asking a series of questions.  “What are we going to eat for dinner?” then, “Can we stay in the city for dinner?” and finally, “Can we go to the Aquarium?”.  Hill and I knew where that conversation was heading at the first question and, in truth, had conspired to take Rhys to the Aquarium (over a series of texts) as our day in town stretched on. I mentioned all of that just to impart how the mystique of the Aquarium looms large in the hearts and minds of children. My son was willing to engage in guerrilla tactics just to get into the building.

Atmosphere
We arrived and after a short wait, maybe five minutes, we were shown to a table with a wonderful view of the aquarium. This is what it’s all about--the view of those beautiful aquatic animals, the ambient blue lighting and the feeling of being underwater without the wet suits. It lulls you—and that is perhaps wise because when you look at the menu, the sticker…well--it shocks.  I should say that the prices are not outrageous, if you consider the maintaining of the restaurant. Think about the water bill in that place—not to mention the marine biologists…and I could go on. That said, the average restaurant bill for my family (of three) is about $40 dollars. The bill at the Aquarium was in the triple digits. Plan accordingly and remember that you are paying for the theme park experience. 





Food
At this time please forget everything I said about the check. The food was wonderful. My family dining party consists of two picky eaters and one, well…culinary snob, my son. Nothing was sent back, I don’t recall one complaint, and that is rare. Of-course it could be attributed to the ambient lighting. My husband believes that ambient lighting is responsible for 9 out of 10 bad shopping purchases.
Much to the demise of my sweetheart’s point of view on this-I lost all focus for the aquarium when my plate arrived. I was focused.  The food was rather Boss. Please see for yourself.    

Rhys' Plate (Pizza)


Hill's Plate (Southern fried fish)


My Plate (I'm sorry but I can't rememebr the name of it, it was a special). It was shrimp, cod and salmon in an Asian orange sauce and it was divine.

-Astrya