664519 Tue Nov 03 17:32:17 -0800 2009 0 12 Boston Area 0 5153663 I attended an annual Boston mycology(mushroom) club dinner here last night. I hesitated posting this negative report because Bob Sargent et femme are such nice people. But this $45 multi couse family style meal, each course containing wild mushrooms, was just unbelievably bland. It reconfirmed my opinion of this restaurant after unimpressive experiences many years ago. Hen of the woods Mushroom soup tasted like pureed mushrooms and water . period. no salt, no herbs, no nothing.Barley risotto w/ shiitakes and peas was o.k. but would have been lovely with some parm and wine. Sauteed Trout w/matsutakes was again completely plain. no wine, not even garlic!! Chicken cutlet w/chanterelles the same plain, dull, insipid.And some flavorless spinachravioli . Portion size was laughable. Maybe 2 oz. on the cutlet and trout filets(1 piece per diner), maybe 1/3 c. on the barley. The low quality French bread wasn't worth eating so we couldn't even fill up on that. The highlight of the meal, strangely enough, was the dessert, warm candy cap blondies w/ vanilla ice cream. They were tender, not cloyingly sweet, and very special. We all enjoyed our red wine options too. Our entire table of seven agreed that mediocre and disappointing and unfilling- were the best words for our dinner. Gosh, what wonders can be easily worked with all these glorious mushrooms. (And yes, Bob himself was the main man in the kitchen. ) The only scenario I could come up with, for an explanation, is that flora is perhaps hanging on by a thread and portion control and food costs were of paramount import. Thus, no wine, cheese , fresh herbs,etc. I just cannot buy the thought that Bob felt any other flavors would overpower the mushroom flavor. Those mushrooms are all plenty flavorful and can easily be complemented, not overwhelmed, when other flavor components are added.Whew, what a disappointment. As for our group, we all went home and had a sandwich. I know Flora has lasted for many years, that its owners are very nice people, and that the room itself is very handsome and comfortable.But I will never ever return. If it is a good place for you, "more power to ya'." Tue Nov 03 17:32:17 -0800 2009 10110 opinionatedchef