Devon in Monrovia - disappointed

I've read some great things about this restaurant, so when my husband and I decided to dine in Monrovia, I suggested Devon. I gotta say, it was truly unremarkable. I ordered a red pepper soup, which was decent, but nothing to write home about, and I guess the goat cheese salad was OK. But the entrees were truly bad. I orderd cod with a salmon sauce, my husband ordered the pork. The cod, while a decent cut of fish, was bland and in dire need of salt. And the "sauce" was really just a fishy broth. The little plate of cheesy potatoes they serve separately came on a piping hot plate, but the taters themselves were cold! The wine list was also limited and uninteresting. The pork was overcooked, so it was both chewy and tasteless. Then the dessert, which I cautioned against getting, was equally mediocre. I had a lemon tart that was pretty much lemon-flavored pudding glopped into a tart shell. Although the poached pear stuffed with mascarpone and stilton was decent, it did nothing to make up for the lackluster food. Everything looked nice in the resaurant, the decor, the white table cloths, etc., and the service, when we got it, was nice. But our two and a half hour dinner was exhausting and ultimately pointless.

[gourmetla]

Just tried out Devon. The atmosphere was a little off-putting to me- all hard angles with that "Asian Flair" (read morose Madame Butterfly). There were a few people there but it was definitely not hopping on a Friday night. The wine we ordered had a lot of sediment which I didn't feel was good for a relatively young wine (a syrah from 02- sorry, I can't remember the vineyard).

I liked my aged ribeye very much was couldn't believe the potatoes were cold on a hot plate. The asparagus were a little overdone but it was fine. T

he catfish a friend ordered looked amazing. It was a whole fish that had been deep fried and served with a dipping sauce. I had a bite and it was just wonderful. They accomodated another friend's request for two starters instead of one starter and meal which was very nice of them.

The palette cleansers in between were pretty good. I was surprised I liked the pineapple cilantro sorbet so much even though it was one giant ice chip and not smooth like sorbet. I opted for an Irish whiskey afterwards which was plain coffee with whiskey (no cream). My friend's cheese plate looked fairly good and it was a good deal since it came with a glass of tawny.

The things I was interested in the menu but didn't fee like trying that particular night were the black bear ravioli, caribou and blue cheese gelato. Has anyone tried any of these?

[Cecilbee]

I took the advice offered me above about Amori, and I am a believer. It is far superior to Devon. Neither will you be disappointed.

[Bert]

Black bear ravioli is just for the sake of telling people you've had it.
Caribou is excellent, like a really mild venison.

That being said, I don't go to Devon anymore, either, I also prefer going to Amori, where chef Pedro is. Note: the Devon menu hasn't changed at all since he left about three years ago.

[Funwithfood]

I had the Black Bear Ravioli about 10 years ago--not memorable (flavor-wise). BUT, the Bleu Cheese Ice Cream served with our Pear Tart stands out (and is discussed) 10 years later.

We used to go to Devon often but when the chef left the food changed. He's now across the street from Devon. His food is wonderful. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Amori (California French Cuisine)
110 E. Lemon Ave.
Monrovia
626-358-1908

Thanks for the tip. I actually was looking longingly across the street at that restaurant and wondered whether it would be equally disappointing. I'm trying it next!