Short Answer:
Pick the "Barking Frog." Bigger party? Small party? Yes. Need fantastic food, ambiance AND amazing service? Here you go. They have you covered.
A Bit Longer Answer (as those who know me have come to expect):
...and they say advertising doesn't work...Ha! It did for me! While sitting in front of my computer this morning, coffee in hand, going hither and yon between financial articles and the daily deluge of emails, I stumbled upon an email from "Barking Frog." Oh...ooh...oh my...their menu was enchanting. It was enchanting enough to convince me to book a table for this evening for my husband and me.
Just saying, when you are directed to the "Open Table" website there is this little box down further that asked for any notes you might want to provide. I usually do. No, it wasn't anything all that important, I just said I was "hijacking my husband of 36+ years from yard work for a "date night". That's all.
Dash forward to walking in. We were greeted by a lovely hostess named Hailey, who had a smile and an attitude that welcomed you immediately. She had actually read my comments. How nice!
Tim, our main server, and Victor. his assistant, were perfectly available without hovering. Tim actually knew the menu. He referred to his notes on occasion to verify a question. As often as they change their menu, depending on what is fresh, and/or the groovy whimsy of the chef, I appreciate Tim's attention to detail.
By the by, our table was wonderful! It was in a corner, on a corner so we could see their outside deck (which looks fantastic but a bit too humid for me tonight), their cool kitchen and the other guests. It may have been the best table there. I would certainly ask for it again. You know that table that is in the corner without you feeling you are "stuck in a corner"? Nice! The noise level is, in my humble opinion, PERFECT! They were busy, especially for a Tuesday but, even with the fairly open concept, it was not loud, just happy chatter. We could easily hear each other. Yay!
Our food? OH MY GOSH! We started with their house salad, "The 'Hidden Choice". Light, with a balsamic dressing to die for, obviously freshly cut romaine and the sweetest baby tomatoes...
We also ordered their breadbasket - highly recommend this! There were at least four different types of bread - all freshly made and very good. They also had a gluten-free selection available, but I am afraid I am more a "Go Gluten or Go Home" kind of gal. I admit, I did ask another guest at another table who had ordered the gluten-free option what she thought, and she said it was wonderful.
Our entrées? They were both lovely in presentation and flavor!!! I ordered the Diver Scallops option. Oh, happy day! The saffron yogurt sauce, the vanilla sultans, the pistachios, and the vadouvan carrots were seriously the perfect accompaniment to those DIVER SCALLOPS! (I had to look the vadouvan spice mix up after I got home just to make sure, it's a French derivative -as Tim mentioned, of a masala spice mix - BIG FAN... Oh, World Spice in Seattle carries it, I just ordered it...but I digress)
We, lovers of scallops, understand that there is a FINE LINE between complimenting scallops and overpowering them. The Barking Frog rocked this one! The scallops were so delicious! And the way they were presented, on top of all these delightful flavors, carefully placed individually but alongside each other, allowing you to either enjoy them together or separately (my vote is to include them all in one bite, but that is me). As Tim also shared, it is not a "hot" just truly tasty. We also had a side of some of the best asparagus I have had in forever.
Craig opted for the "long bone pork chop". Now, let me preface this by saying Craig has had issues with pork chops over the years. They tend to be a bit tough, right? Pork, I find, is often so lean it comes at the expense of tender...but, God bless him, Craig took a leap of faith and ordered it (after quizzing poor Tim for at least a few minutes). The presentation: gorgeous. The pork chop itself: INCREDIBLE! So tender and good! The way they plated it was completely different to what I had seen before. It was innovative and allowed for such a thick chop to be cooked to perfection without having the outside being overdone. Craig was over the moon.
I assured myself, and Craig, I was skipping dessert...until I saw their crème Brulee. Wicked temptress that it is...and with these lavender-vanilla shortbread cookies...I mean really, can you blame me? Gorgeous sugar crust, sweet custard (but not too sweet)...Heaven sent. Order this, too. The Barking Frog is a gem. And it was the perfect "date night". Go there. You will thank me. read more