Bleu Market: or, wanting something to be better than it is

Bleu Market represents phase one in the 8th St. takeover plan being launched by co-owners Travis Tucker and Tina Patel. A takeout-driven installment, Blue Market will be joined on the other side of the Tiger Hotel entrance by Bleu proper, a tapas-style restaurant and wine bar. If early performance is any indication, they're going to have some kinks to work out of the main event.

The prosciutto, sliced turkey and Lorraine swiss I bought for sandwich making at home were all dried out, tasteless and tossed shortly thereafter. A "La Havana" sandwich of the day (seemingly styled after the iconic cubano) featured the wrong kind of ham (Really? Prosciutto on a cubano sandwich?), a weak bun and was served cold. They also forgot the cheese at first. The pickled onions and jalapeno added a vinegary kick; the mustard packed a punch as well.

A side of white beans, feta and cherry tomatoes was fresh tasting but in dire need of a good salting; the beans themselves were moderately overcooked, bordering on mushy. And then the bill: my lunch ran almost ten dollars, and that's without a drink. Not sure most Columbians would pay ten dollars for a mediocre sandwich and better luck next time.

So, Bleu Market gets an "A" for potential and a gentleman's "C" for execution. Here's hoping the restaurant gets off to a better start.

In Bleu's defense, I had a cubano at Miami's landmark Versailles Restaurant a few weeks ago that wasn't much better.