Located in the heart of the gayborhood, Burlesque is a fancy, fresh restaurant offering fusion food and weekend Burlesque shows. As of June 2018, this place has only been open for about 6 months.
We sat outside and were quickly given menus by our (very attractive) waiter. They clearly know their clientele. The waiter recommended that for a full meal, three of the menu items "The Acts of the Show" should be ordered per person. We settled on the Striptease, the Vedette, the French fries, and the grilled pita bread with mango hummus. For drinks, I ordered an elderflower gin and tonic.
Seeing as half of the drink menu were dedicated to various types of gin and tonics, I had high expectations for my cocktail and was not let down. The elderflower gin and tonic was refreshing, an excellent floral accompaniment to what was a sunny afternoon.
Our food arrived shortly after our drinks. Portion sizes were small, as expected from the nature of the place and what the waiter recommended.
The Striptease - an eclectic vegan vegetable tartare with pumpkin, avocado, apple, grapes, and pistachios. The combination of flavors was extraordinary and fresh. Each of the components distinctly provided tastes that elevated this dish.
The Vedette - a mushroom risotto with five different types of mushrooms. The risotto was creamy and the mushroom flavors stood out strongly.
The grilled pita bread with mango hummus and spicy yoghurt - This dish really should really be given its own name as it was a stellar dish on its own. The mango hummus and spicy yoghurt, with chunks of mango and fresh mint, was one of the best adaptations of middle eastern flavors I've had. The pita definitely wasn't "pita", but it served its purpose as a vehicle for the hummus and yoghurt.
Overall I give this place 4.5/5 stars for great service and excellent food. I personally enjoy small portion sizes, but be warned if you're expecting a large meal. read more