31684 Fri Sep 24 13:42:42 -0700 2004 9 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 139096 Thursday night I took business friends to B44. For $126, including tip, the 3 of us got: A couple of pots of hot water for tea Two glasses of sherry (fino and amontillado) One of tempranillo Tapas: cod cheeks, soup, lamb brochette, tiger shrimps, grilled sardines, fresh anchovy/pear/cheese 1 b44 paella, sans squid (request) 2 decaf coffees 1 mel y mel dessert. We ate inside from 7:15 - 9:30; while the outside tables were full, inside, there were scattered deuces around us and 1 8 top the whole evening. The 4 cod cheeks lacked the amount of garlic that had made them and their sauce irresistible in past visits. B- The soup was pureed asparagus with 'black' olive oil drizzle. Unmemorable. C+ The lamb brochette was 6 3/4 inch cubes with accompanying humus/pimento dips. Reheating it before serving made the meat tougher. C The 4 grilled sardines were large, fresh and hot off the grill. Their garnish was mostly pickled cabbage... B The fresh anchovy/pear/cheese combo came with less-ripe (crunchy) pear slices and an olive oil drizzle. C+ The paella came 10 minutes after ordering, making me believe that it had been pre-cooked. A crunchy rice crust indicated that it had been under the broiler a bit too long. The portion size was adequate/small. 3 whole shrimp, 8 Manila clams, chopped chicken and chorizo were the mix-ins. C Dessert was excellent: fresh farmer's cheese with walnuts and honey and sherry on the side. Yum. A The waiter and the busboy did not seem to be communicating, despite the relatively small crowd. One tried to clear half-full plates. The other overlooked bread/water re-stocks until asked. The check returned without a credit card. The waiter said (quickly) that this had not happened to him in 5 years and watched while I emptied my wallet and my pockets. We all looked around the table. Ten minutes later, another waiter brought the card from another part of the restaurant without explanation or apology. The memory of several excellent lunches (including the cod cheeks and the anchovies) sent me there. I won't return for dinner. Watch your cards. Fri Sep 24 13:42:42 -0700 2004 0 Pancho 1 139099 Yow. I wonder if the onwner's on vacation or something? Fri Sep 24 13:59:19 -0700 2004 139096 0 Robert Lauriston 2 139100 I had a similar so-so, pricey experience a couple of months ago... must be a long vacation. Fri Sep 24 14:03:34 -0700 2004 139099 0 Jimbo 3 139204 I've eaten at B44 a couple of times in the past few months and it didn't seem any different than usual. Service has often been kind of scattered. Sat Sep 25 13:57:36 -0700 2004 139100 0 Robert Lauriston 2 139105 I wonder. Didn't mention the upselling on the glasses of wine (my friends don't drink much) or the attempts to sell bottles of wine/water (kinda standard, but still yucky). Feels like it's past its prime (and still pricey). Fri Sep 24 14:19:18 -0700 2004 139099 0 Pancho 1 139124 Not to beat a dead horse, but an unknown charge appeared on my credit card this morning and I cancelled my card. I know, this post is not about food, and, strictly speaking, it's the staff, not the restaurant who may or may not have ripped the card number. Nonetheless, I didn't figure these costs into a $42 'light' dinner. You shouldn't have to, either. Fri Sep 24 17:01:33 -0700 2004 139096 0 Pancho 2 139163 have you called the police?? if you are convinced enough to inpugn b44 as you have here (not the food comments, but the fraud and theft), you should certainly call the police. please report. Fri Sep 24 21:44:11 -0700 2004 139124 0 wow 3 139308 We reported the circumstances to the credit card company and will report anything they confirm to the police. Mon Sep 27 12:41:01 -0700 2004 139163 0 Pancho 1 139156 My sister (another chowhound) recommended B44 to me, but I had the same unimpressive experience you did. I much prefer Plouf (which I think may be owned by the same people) Fri Sep 24 20:08:49 -0700 2004 139096 0 snax 2 139168 they are not owned by the same people. Sat Sep 25 00:07:51 -0700 2004 139156 0 sailorbuoys