I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Cache with some friends to celebrate their engagement. I've been a foodie for some time and have always eaten well, but this was hands down the best meal of my life in one of the best environments I've ever experienced.
Beginning with the environment, it's a beautiful restaurant that feels like it should be in New York or Chicago instead of Little Rock. We got to sit at the chef's table, which was great. It was roomy enough for us to get up and take celebratory pictures and for the waitresses to walk around without bumping our chairs, but small enough that it still felt like a very intimate, private space. The service was incredible. Our waitresses were well trained in proper conduct, but they were willing to be fun and friendly. We loved our main waitress so much that everyone gave her a hug on our way out.
The meal came out a little bit slowly, but considering what it was we didn't mind. Here was what I had.
Salad: endive salad with blue cheese, poached pears, bacon, and caramelized pecans. Best salad I've ever had.
Appetizer: chili crusted hanger steak with cherries and what I think was a very light mustard sauce. Perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful. The chili crusting was enough to add some interesting flavor, but not enough to overpower the flavor of the steak. A very fine line that they walked expertly. I also love contrast in my food, so the spice of the chili with the sweet of the cherries was perfect.
Main course: filet oscar with gnocchi, broccoli, and cauliflower. This was the best steak I've ever had. It was tender and tasted like it had been marinated in butter. The crab topping was creamy and complimented the filet perfectly, and the gnocchi was light and balanced the steak well.
Dessert: strawberry cheesecake. Absolutely delicious and a beautiful presentation. Several of my friends got creme brûlée though, and it seems more their specialty. I highly recommend that.
All of this was on a fixed Valentines menu for $75 per person. Considering what we got, they could've charged a lot more.
After the meal, we went upstairs to the bar/lounge area. The bartenders take their time and make every drink properly. I had their signature sarsaparilla old fashioned and it topped any old fashioned I've ever had. I took sips of several other signature drinks and there wasn't a single one that wasn't delicious. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable with live music and plenty of seating. There was also an outdoor deck overlooking the streets of downtown that would be great on comfortable evenings.
Long story short: go there. Some have complained about slow food service, but it's a new restaurant and that is bound to improve quickly. Sitting with people you enjoy enough to invite to dinner for an hour shouldn't be that bad, and it gives you a chance to really slow down and savor the food instead of shoveling it in as fuel to be burned, as we so often seem to do. Take your time, put your silverware down after each bite and chew slowly, and you'll see why this is the best restaurant in Little Rock. read more