Jardin de Asia has gone downhill.

Last weekend, my wife and I dined at the tappan at the Jardin de Asia restaurant,near Los Tajibos, owned by the same people. The restaurant is also huge. Japanese. This was probably my fourth time there, because I had enjoyed it the other times.

Something has changed. Now it's much worse. They make guests wait outside, standing, until 15 minutes after the time you were to be seated, with strict instructions at the time of reservation not to be more than 15 minutes late. Bolivia.

The expensive (100 bs. per person for food only) steaks were all lomo this visit--with no fat, because they don't give corn to cattle in Bolivia, and not aged, because I guess they don't age meat in Bolivia. Sure makes it tough to get a great steak. There isn't even really a word for steak here, and don't get me started about rare and medium rare.

My wife had a marinated steak that was tender. Not worth the money, but not bad. The ambiance and entertainment are also worth some points. My first steak was tough and chewy. I had them do another. Just as tough and chewy. No thanks. No offer of money back, though. Bolivia.

My advice: If you want steak, for half the price you can go to Los Hierros on Monseñor Rivero and have a much better steak that is huge, plus you get a pretty darned good salad bar.

Where are the garlic toast and baked potatoes, please? But, then, I'm more used to Chicago steakhouses and Japanese Kobe-style beef.