Yes, 5 stars cause I can't put 6 !!
My daughter found this gem of a place online and we decided to take a look. At first , we were hesitant to walk in the door as this is a very unassuming place located down a random street /alley. The decor reminded me of a small restaurant in New Orleans, complete with Jazzy tunes playing. Despite the menu looking like it had been typed on the "Smith/Corona" Typewriter that I had in college, the food was by far the most amazing I have ever tasted. The appetizer we had was the Patatons (small potatoes with Romesco Sauce). So delicious that you would eat them off the floor......seriously, my daughter dropped one on the floor and almost cried, but quickly scooped it up and ate it (well within the 5 second rule !!). Same daughter ( the Carnivore) had the Duck Confit, fried perfectly so the skin was crispy. It paired perfectly with the Apple jam. My other daughter (who thinks she is a foodie) had the pan seared Goat Cheese salad with walnuts, raisins, apples ....lightly covered with balsamic vinegar. She was amazed on how well the Goat Cheese was prepared. My wife got the calamari (of course she did, she's Asian). It was labeled a "slow cooked" dish as it was prepared in the traditional manner. For me, well I am all about the pork, and one of the specials not on the Menu was "Iberian Bacon w/ cabbage, potatoes, and roasted garlic"...sounded like good old southern comfort food to me.....boy was I wrong!!!! Separately, all were very tasty (and that bacon was as salty as a good country ham), but when I spread the cabbage/potato/garlic on the toasted bread and topped it off with the bacon...WOW, I mean, DANG... I have never and I mean NEVER have I tasted something that combined all the components so well together. (So good that my toes curled up!!!) I told the Chef that for the first time in 57 years, my taste buds were alive. I think she understood that i meant that as a compliment ( I think that was better than taking off my shoes and showing her my toes !! ).
For desert it was the Cheese Flan and some Chocolate Truffles...of course another home run as I don't think anything leaves that kitchen that isn't prepared perfectly!! The flan was as light as could be and the truffles were very rich.
As far as cost, it was all moderately priced, I mean for a family of four we could not have gotten out of any mundane restaurant (i.e., Chilis, The O.G., Ruby Tues...etc...) in the states for less). As far as the quality of the food, don't think I could even find anything close to this here in the Red Neck Riviera... those fancy eateries in Destin, 30A, Seaside, Grayton Beach, etc...couldn't hold a candle to Belmonte's..but those eateries would certainly charge you an arm and a leg trying!!
Thank You Belmonte, for showing me what fine cuisine is all about !! read more