Bankers Hill Bar and Restaurant: Tasty but not Cravable!

Ok, let's review: I'm a huge Carl Schroeder fan. CH for some reason *hates* Carl Schroeder's food. From Arterra through Market, he absolutely hated going with me and only went to eat Schroeder's food when we were forced (for instance friends stayed at the Marriott and had their kids upstairs and could only eat in Arterra :)). The last several times I have been to Market (and I haven't gone for at least a year) have been with other people. And it seems so expensive lately in comparison to all the good deals around these days, so that also has kept me away!

So I was psyched about BHBR, Schroeder's new cheaper place near the Park. Maybe CH would like it better? And I could eat Schroeder's food a lot!

Well, here's the rap:
--very nice room, much nicer than when it was Modus->cute, casual, airy, fun
--had a lovely time - helped by very reasonable Temperanillo!
--bread was warm and delicious, food was tasty overall
--CH didn't hate his food - he would not object to returning

HOWEVER, irony of ironies, it was just not cravable and I am the one who doesn't feel the need to go back:
--the famous deviled eggs were just ok. A mom in my mom's group makes tastier ones....
--my watermelon and watercress salad: overdressed, and the watercress was kind of blech - I ate up the watermelon, goat cheese and pistachios but left the greens behind. CH's fresh vegetable salad was yummier but not enough to induce me to go back
--my salmon: very good, liked the peas and potatoes with it. Was it the greatest fish dish ever? Ummm...no.
--dessert menu: totally uninspiring. Ditto the cocktail menu. Strawberry basil martini seemed revolutionary when they served it 5 yrs ago with fresh strawberries at Market. Today that drink seems to be everywhere in town. You don't have any other ideas? (there was some pear ginger alternative....sorry, not my thing!)

AND SO, since Avenue 5 is in the hood...and Alchemy is on the other side of the park, I don't see any reason to return! The good news is that that simplifies things as we make pre-theater choices in upcoming months. The only other places I'm itching to try nearby are the new Cafe Bleu (had a great meal in Hillcrest before it moved) and maybe Charisma in Hillcrest....