My younger sister and I had dinner at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain tonight. It was unimpressive.

I started with the appetizer of Gulf Shrimp and Grits, Bacon and Green Onion ($15). It had an interesting flavor and tasted like nothing I have had before, but it didn't blow me away. I would never order the dish again.

My sister had the appetizer of Grilled Oysters, Black Pepper-Tarragon Butter, Hot Chile Barbeque Sauce ($17). I tried two of the oysters and thought none of the flavors complimented each other. It was definitely one of the most weirdly flavored dishes I have had, and could quite possibly be up there as one of the worst dishes I have encountered at a restaurant.

For my entree I had the "plate of the day" which today was Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Black Pepper Biscuits, Brookdale Farm's Honey Sauce ($29). This was an interesting fried chicken dish for the crispy skin had a kick and spiciness to it, which was nice, but the honey sauce also had a kick and spiciness to it, which gave the chicken a "double-kick". I thought this was redundant and unnecessary and for $29 way overpriced. The two accompanying biscuits were huge and tasted fine.

My sister had the Fulton Fish Market Cioppino, Sour Dough Toast ($34). I tried some of the seafood in the tomato broth and it was fine.

Bar Americain is a big and nice looking restaurant. But don't judge a book by it's cover. With uncomplimentary flavors on many of the dishes I had, I don't think I will be coming back.

Bar Americain
152 W. 52nd Street (between 6th and 7th Ave)

New York, NY 10019