La Flama (Moline)

Initial service issues sometimes define the entire experience, and we had some trouble making first contact with waitstaff once we were seated (and occasionally throughout). Nothing major, but noticable. It was notable enough to prompt one of my table-mates to recount her most recent La Flama lunch visit ending in a walkout because a waitperson had not materialized in a reasonable amount of time (The table agreed this is not our normal experience, but twice in a row makes one wonder if this is a trend, or if there's a management blind spot cropping up.)

As it goes with service, so often it goes with the food. The meal was fine, nice presentation, but nothing too great. The chicken in the Mole poblano enchiladas was, as stated on the menu, shredded pure white meat, which might have been the base reason the dish lacks the flavor you would expect. The sauce extends the mildness metaphor. I might be a rare case, but I like my mole to be intense and richly flavored. A bit antagonistic to any standard western flavor profile. I understand it can be an acquired taste. And the mole here was not bad. But it was quite light, and a little (too) sweet. A downgraded version, mellowed to the milder Midwestern palates? Maybe. Some individual interpretation? Possibly. But if I want great mole, I have much better better choices in the Quad Cities (The best example being just blocks away at la Primavera).

Everyone else at the table was moderately satisfied with their meals. Three of four noted the mildness of flavor. One who ordered the "pork meat' liked the dish, but noted that the warning about spiciness: "not for winps!" might have been a bit overblown. The lone dissenter, preferred the mild, sweetness of the mole. Another, a vegetarian, thought more veggie dishes could have been offered, considering the possibilities available to a Mexican pantry.

All had the same middling view of the service. No one was wowed. The place was busy, but they probably should have been a bit more attentive, especially at the beginning.