If you frequent Cascade Park, the newest social center of the Tallahassee Community, then there is a indisputable chance that you've glanced longingly at that large building covered in brick and enormous windows that beckons you to look more closely. That building is The Edison, a quaint restaurant unlike any I've visited in this city . Before I give you my review, here's a little back story.
In 1921, the city of Tallahassee built The City Electric building as a way to service the growing population and it's need for electricity. This plant served as a power point for both electricity and gas where residents could pay their bills up until the l950s. The building, renamed in the honor of the light bulb inventor Thomas Edison, has now been transformed into a beautiful piece of art that serves as the finest dining spot in town.
Now, on to the review!
As I pulled up to the parking lot allotted specifically for patrons of the restaurant, I was greeted with a sign that offers complimentary valet parking. My roommate, who drove and visited the restaurant with me, decided against the service. We found parking, which is limited to about 20 parking spaces, and headed to make our 7:15pm reservations--- it was now 7:09. As I walked in, I noticed that the layout was less personal than I expected. The bar was not set back nor apart from the floor seating in the restaurant. The seats were also leveled with the regular seating tables, and did not have bar stools or high tables. I remember feeling claustrophobic just looking at the people crammed together. A Romantic dinner date wouldn't be lost here, but would be very hard to pull off depending on where you're seated.
We gave the hostess the name of our party and, after settling on inside rather than outside dining, were told to take a seat and wait for our name to be called. The waiting space was rather narrow with one long seat that could sit maybe eight comfortably at one time, thankfully we were a party of three. It is now 7:15 and since we were not called, I began to look around at the decor. There is an oddly placed elevator in the waiting area that adds a bit of mystery to the lobby. I automatically picked up on decoration elements that gave off a tavern feel (displayed pipes to give a grungy feel, wooden panels with hanging light bulbs) . The music switched ceaselessly between jazz and upbeat pop, it was hard to get into a distinctive groove.
By now I am growing impatient, and quite hungry, but we were finally seated 7:25.
As we took our seats at a table near the entrance, our excitement was growing. The table was set with a water and wine glass, and formal place settings. Talk about beautiful! It was finally time to feast our eyes on what we hoped would be the most mouthwatering menu filled with endless choices--- boy were we wrong. We had actually come during the restaurants "soft opening", basically eating trial food to see what food would stick. We learned that the menu options would change from day to day.
The menu had literally seven entree options which varied between steak frites (still confused on what a frite is) and Fillet Mignon, three salad options and six appetizers. And God forbid you're a kid, because there are only two kids options which are buttered noodles and grilled cheese. An average meal here would run you between $20- $48.00 without an dessert or appetizer. I settled on a caesar salad and my roommate settled on a calamari appetizer.
The drink menu was more extensive than the food menu. I ordered an alcoholic pink lemonade with gin. It was delicious and undoubtably the highlight of my evening at The Edison. The calamari was actually pretty good but the salad left me and my dinner party wondering what exactly we would eat after we left the restaurant.
I left unfulfilled and pretty disappointed that night, but I wouldn't give up on The Edison just yet. The atmosphere was pretty chill, despite the closeness in seating, and the food that passed my table looked appetizing and smelled mouth watering. I just wish the pricing was more affordable for college students looking for a nice meal, and the menu had more variety despite being a soft opening. I am open to trying The Edison again once they have found a menu that is set in stone.
2.5 stars to the restaurant with a beautiful shell, intriguing backstory and creative concept and logo. Hopefully in the near future, I can actually say I enjoyed my night here at The Edison.
