re: Has anyone ever been to Roberto's...

My point is I go out to dinner or lunch a lot and I go to a lot of different places and by virtue of sheer volume it is inevitable I will end up with some mediocre or even crappy meals in between the truly great or even just very good meals. Which makes me appreciate the best ones even more.

If you think you will go out to dinner and always have a great meal then you are just setting yourself up for disapointment. I enjoy most of the mediocre ones simply because of maybe the company I'm with or the time of day or the wine or vodka (No matter how crappy the meal is no one can screw up my cocktail)or the Tigers won or the fact that I'm able to afford dining out while in the midst of the Great Depression. It's a mindset and it should be enjoyable.

It's just like cooking at home. I've burned my fair share of steaks/chicken/tuna etc...to appreciate the fact that I can now get it right.

My life doesn't revolve around the entree. It is the whole experience of dining out with family/friends/collegues, enjoying a glass of wine (even if it is the house Yellowtail Merlot) and having some good spirited conversation and 9.5 times out of 10 it's just fine. Even if my steak was a little past medium rare or they used too much balsamic vinegar on the salad or the waiter didn't fill my water glass in a timely manner.

Roberto's is what it is. We pile several couples in the Suburban and take a ride and enjoy a mediocre dinner with friends. I've had mediocre at most restaurants I've ever been to. So what? Beats sitting home on the couch.