Dinner at Central Provisions was such a standout experience. The small plates format made it fun to try a variety of dishes, and everything felt thoughtful and well-executed. The flavors were creative without being overcomplicated, and each dish had something that made it memorable. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance--lively but still intimate enough to enjoy conversation. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, with great recommendations that really elevated the meal. Definitely one of those places you leave already thinking about what you'll order next time. read more

A unique and interesting place to visit. Nice atmosphere, you can see how the cooking is done if you sit at the bar. Every dish is small plate, though many of them are as expensive as an entree elsewhere. We tried the tuna, very nicely done, melt in your mouth and good flavor. The cornbread was warm and flavorful, but I think there is too much salt in the cornbread especially the butter already have flavored. The beet salad is nice at the beginning until I realized there was crazy amount of garlic. The lamp shank taste fine, rare to see lamp in a curry flavor, but I wish the portion is bigger. read more

Overrated for me personally. Had lunch today and started with the iced chai Arnold Palmer which was tasty, despite it being $9, I enjoyed it. The space is very small and our table for 2 was tight to the next two tables, the servers bumped me multiple times while caring for the neighbor tables. I'm an average sized person so I can only imagine if you're above average in height or weight. We ordered the apple salad, fried cauliflower, brunch burger, and an order of fries, all to share. This was plenty of food for 2 women but minimal protein. I wish the servers (who recommended sharing all dishes) brought out new plates or at least offered them between courses as sauces and flavors got mixed. The burger was teeny tiny, and I do mean under 1cm of a patty (probably more like .5 centimeter) on a very thick bun with an egg and bacon jam. The server knew it was our first time and did not explain any of the dishes. We were surprised that the apple salad was apples served in several forms with 5 tiny pieces of baby arugula on top. The vinegar was very intense in this dish and overall it felt like it was trying to be really interesting, but it was just okay to me. The fries came out much earlier than the burger (I get spreading out small plates but if someone orders a burger and fries they should come out somewhat closely). The fries were not super hot in temperature and were coated heavily with a chili coating that was not very flavorful. The cauliflower was definitely the star of the show, this was a delicious dish for me although I wish the herbs were broken down a little bit more. The flavors and textures were great. Honestly though, $55 including tip for lunch (4 small plates shared between 2 and one drink, no coffee or dessert) with no alcohol or caviar seems like a crime. I'm not sure that I'd return. Also, we could hear (since we were so close together) that mistakes were made on both sides of us by service taking away plates that weren't finished and/or the kitchen making mistakes, and they tried to make it up to them by sending out free dishes. Generally just not a charming experience. read more

We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however there was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand. read more

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After getting into Portland late on a Friday evening, we were wandering the streets around our hotel and decided to pop into Central Provisions for dinner. Little did we know we were lucking into such an incredible local favorite! We were able to snag a spot by the windows upstairs with no wait, but the place was packed by the time we left, so I'd guess you typically want a reservation. We started out with a couple of cocktails which we loved. They also had a great craft beer and wine selection for round two. Before I say anything else, I have to give our server a shoutout! I don't remember his name unfortunately, but he was SO nice and gave a bunch of great recommendations. Service was also super quick despite how busy it was. For our meal, the menu is all small plates, so we shared the spicy beef salad, beet salad, rigatoni, and bone marrow toast. Every single dish was a home run, but the raw spicy beef salad was definitely our favorite. I've never tried anything quite like it--our server described it as "refreshingly spicy" which was pretty spot on. Such a great balance of fresh flavors and savory spiciness. I'd come back just for that dish alone! The space itself is super cozy and welcoming, you get the vibe it's a favorite among tourists and locals alike. Will definitely be back the next time I'm in town, this ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip! read more

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Came here for dinner with a great experience from start to finish! Actually have been here before and each visit has been consistently excellent. The décor remains cozy and intimate and I love that you can sit by the bar and watch your food being prepared. For appetizers, we started with their Bluefin Tuna Crudo, which was buttery and tender. It just felt so fresh and melted in my mouth. I love that sauce that came with it. We also had the duck thigh and this dish was one we devour quick. It was crispy, light, and whatever sauce that was in there was amazing! The mushrooms was another standout. They were cooked perfectly and packed with deep flavor. But the star of the appetizer was the bread + butter. Their sourdough bread is literally one of the best sourdough I've had. Just incredible bread baked perfectly. Absolute heaven! We also got the Flank Steak a la Plancha which was beyond words. Just blew me away with how perfect it was. Everything was paired so well in here and each bite was just so memorable! The Seared Foie Gras was very rich, velvety, and melted in my tongue. But it needed bread. So we asked the server for that sourdough bread to pair with this and she was so nice to give us a few slices! We finished off with dessert, which we got the frozen chocolate mousse and this was the perfect ending to a spectacular meal. It was so smooth and rich. I wish I could have ordered another but I was so full at the time. Overall, wonderful experience and will come back again! read more

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Hands down one of the best lunches I've had in a while, I almost came back the same day for dinner! Loved the tapas style so we could try a variety of plates. We ordered the half dozen oysters, chopped salad, CP fries, bone marrow toast, lamb burger, and the duck confit grilled cheese. The oysters literally blew our mind - they were cold and were perfect sweet and spicy. We could have easily finished a dozen. The chopped salad was amazing a good for balance. The CP fries were the only thing we could have passed on. The bone marrow toast was incredible!! It's fighting for first place with the oysters. Cheesey, rich, and oniony on amazing bread. The grilled cheese was also amazing - so cheesy, the duck was tender, bread was toasty, and fig jam balanced it all. The tables inside are smaller and I would definitely recommend a reservation especially if you want a window seat. read more

Central Provisions - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

My final dinner during my first visit to Portland was simply amazing! I had made some new friends at a bar earlier in the day and when I asked their suggestions on a final nice meal, Central Provisions was a resounding YES! I got there around 5pm without reservations and the upstairs was pretty booked up but as usual, I asked to sit at the bar. So I headed downstairs to this cute bar area and set up shop for an amazing meal! The bartender was awesome and engaging, gave me lots of reccs for both drinks and food, and I just generally had a wonderful time chatting with him. I got a few different small plates - artichokes, turnips, and suckling pig. The pig was absolutely amazing but the surprise 5 star dish was the turnips that were on special that evening! They were SO good, and unlike any turnips I had ever had before! Artichokes were delicious too, everything was simply amazing. I had a few different cocktails that were also very yum, but the punch of the day which was neon blue in its cute little teacup had me smiling! If you're looking for a spot that's great for a special occasion or just your own personal splurge, Central Provisions is definitely the place to be! So glad I stopped in here before heading out of Portland! read more

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Wow! Quite a fantastic experience! I came for brunch with the intention of trying something small then going elsewhere but stayed for the menu. When I initially came in, I was concerned that I'd have to skip the stop, but this place is larger than expected with a downstairs! We sat downstairs by the window, a usually terrible seat, but they made it work well. It wasn't loud either for such a small venue. I went through the menu, and we ordered the Spicy Beef Salad, Black Pepper Popover, Foie Gras Torchon, and the Parfait (with two slices of toast), sharing everything. The beef salad (raw), was surprising, I didn't expect to enjoy the peanuts as much as I did in this dish, but they add the perfect texture that's badly needed. The popover likewise was great, the egg offered enough moisture to elevate the dish and the jamon ham was the perfect amount of salt. Between the Torchon and Parfait, I preferred the Parfait but I did not regret either dish, they were both great, but with the toast, the parfait had a great mix of flavor and texture. Service was excellent, dishes came out to us one at a time, just as I wanted and my server was quick to offer great suggestions and had a lovely personality, really great with people! Looking forward to trying other parts of their menu! read more

We came in here before end of our night to grab a Maine Lunch Beer and Espresso Martini and my husband who doesn't like espresso martini wanted mine. It had cocoa powder and tasted like liquefied chocolate it was delicious! read more

Central Provisions - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

Before attending an evening with Phil Rosenthal, I decided to grab a quick bite to eat at Central Provisions. I walked over from my hotel and not having a reservation, I managed to snag a solo spot at the bar downstairs. By the time I left, there was not a seat to be had so I was very appreciative that I had the opportunity to dine here. The service was impeccable-friendly and engaging without being overbearing, and the food came out quickly. Despite wanting to try every single item on the menu, it was just me so I had to limit my options. I finally settled on the beet salad and the bone marrow toast. Both were absolutely phenomenal and well balanced. For dessert, I could not resist trying the caramelized zucchini cake, and I did not regret it. It was a unique dessert that was not overly sweet and presented the flavors as well. All in all a fantastic meal and a restaurant that I would absolutely frequent if I lived in the area or the next time I visit. read more

My first time to Central Provisions and it did not disappoint! The menu consist of small plates, which are shareable. Everything we had was full of flavor, but the portion size was perfect for sharing with two. 4 plates and a glass of wine or 2 did the trick. We started with a black pepper popover with butternut squash butter special. Crispy, melt-in-your-mouth yummy. My favorite item was the blue fin tuna crudo. The fish was like butter with a flavorful soy sauce. I could've eaten a whole 'nother tray of that by myself! Next item was the beet salad with big chunks of red and yellow beets with a few greens. Very fresh. Last item was beef marrow toast. Salty, and very rich and so good! Even though these are small plates, the meal for two still ended up about $116 before tip. Waitstaff are true professionals and are attentive and nice. Small intimate space. I definitely will be back! read more

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The food and service was amazing! It was very cozy! We sat at the bar so got to see all the prep from the kitchen which we always find interesting. Some of our fav in terms of drinks were Rebel Rabbit and Unleash the Lion. The food was really delicious! Some favs: Peekytoe crab and Oysters Escabeche. You def want to make a reservation! read more

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Perfect little store to get small bites. It was so filling. We got to sit by the back which faced the cobbled streets, it was fun to watch people walking past and also all kinds of shoes service was good , could've been a bit better but I guess it was good for Saturday night read more

Central Provisions - Perfect location by the back of the bar - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

A belated review from a visit in early August; my husband and I visited without a reservation and dined in the downstairs bar area. It was intimate and elegant but unstuffy. We were seated at the window, with a lovely view for people watching and taking in the old port evening while enjoying great drinks and great food. I really enjoyed my Gibson Girl martini, as well as my glass of sparkling wine! The snap pea salad and the lobster and soba noodle dish were deliciously fresh, and the bone marrow toast was out of this world. Our server likened it to "French onion soup on toast", which was accurate! We really enjoyed the ambiance and lack of hurriedness in our experience, and loved everything we ordered. I highly recommend for a lovely meal in Old Port! read more

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Always a pleasure! I had dinner on my last visit but we went for brunch this time. The bar area was almost full. It's more of a tapas place and we were really hungry so we didn't order much but the beet salad was the best seasoned beet dish I've ever had. I can never say enough good things about this place. I always leave happy and looking forward to my next visit to Portland. This, Street & Co, and Eventide are the obvious "must dine" spots for good reason. The way every ingredients plays a part in making a heavenly harmonious dish is a work of art. Service has always been good. I love the open kitchen concept straight at the bar. We even bought a spice specifically created by Skordo for central provisions! read more

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My husband and I had a nice dinner at Central Provisions. The service was friendly and attentive and the food and drinks came quickly. The food was definitely very good. Our favorite was the bone marrow toast, which we'd absolutely recommend trying. The restaurant is cozy and the seating limited but we were able to get a reservation pretty easily! That said, at the price point I expected a little more overall. If the cost were slightly less, I wouldn't hesitate to say it was excellent but it did feel a bit steep for what we got, and I'm very willing to spend some money on good food. I'd still recommend it for a special night out or if you're curious to try some unique dishes in Portland! read more

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Stopped in to try the mackerel nigiri and just WOW. One of the best dishes I've had anywhere. Atmosphere was lively but cozy and our amazing server Emma was super knowledgeable and friendly and helped make it an unforgettable experience. 10/10 will be back read more

Central Provisions - Mackerel Nigiri - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

My friend and I had raw oysters, caviar, bread and butter, bone marrow toast, and pickles. We were lucky enough to sit at the bar and got to watch the chefs do their thing. The food came out in waves and everything was tasty. Nothing memorable though, I did have higher hopes based on the reviews. But I was a fun experience and I was able to try a lot of new foods! The server was knowledgeable and checked in on us regularly. The vibe is upscale with a fun atmosphere. Definitely felt like I could be at a tapas bar in Europe. read more

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We were seated at the bar, so fun to have a front row seat watching the line work its magic. The food was fantastic and we probably at 8 different things- my fave was the spicy beef salad, followed by the carmelized sheep's cheese. Hubby's fois gras was like butter and the steak also melted in your mouth. Oysters were also a hit. Knocked off a star though because pacing was odd- several things arrived at once, then long stretches with nothing. Pretty sure they forgot my cocktail and my final course, but when prompted they came quickly. Server was sweet but scattered, though grateful she found me a pair of readers to borrow. read more

Great service, loved the Belgian waffle and syrup (great butter to waffle ratio) and it was a nice local restaurant. read more

Central Provisions - Belgian waffle - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

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This was dinner #2 of the day and thanks to our pre-planning and being judicious at dinner #1, we were able to fully enjoy our meal here. I'll get my biggest gripe out of the way. They stuck us at the end of the bar and there was really not a lot of room given that the corner of the bar had a big slab of metal riveted into it so that took away from surface area on which to place food. Further, the woman to my right was very animated on her date and just kept bumping into me. We have a brief respite when they finally left halfway through our meal but then they chose to sit another couple next to us when the adjacent side of the bar was empty. Thankfully, the guy only bumped me once. Onto the good stuff - the food and drinks! Raw beef salad & scallop crudo: Delicious...but extremely salty. We noted the chef making the salad stop halfway through her batch and added more of everything to it so I'm wondering if something went sideways there. BBQ eel nigiri: Amazing, must get Kimchi: Refreshing. We saved this to go with our suckling pig. Fried Maine polenta: Tasty though at this point in the meal, we probably didn't need the "filler". Suckling pig: Must get - also, having with the kimchi Torchon: Haven't had foie gras in a while and this hit the spot. Root beer float w/ foie gras: We could have used a double scoop of the ice cream. And honestly, I didn't need the root beer but we did it anyway. It was still good. Corn ice cream: Nice but we didn't need all the toppings Best drink: Kalimotxo Our server Andy was friendly and efficient. All in all a pleasant experience. read more

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Central Provisions is a shared plate experience. In a small, homey environment. We shared 4 items. We were a bit disappointed that the house-made sausage was unavailable but the maple bacon was heavenly. We also shared the white asparagus that came with lovely accompaniments highlighting its freshness. The fried cauliflower was also tasty. I saved the best for last with popover which has a wonderful texture with crispy prosciutto and gooey cheese. If you don't order it, you are missing out on this delight. We were seated immediately for brunch and the staff was hard at work. To note, we shared a French press with our meal and the coffee was spectacular! read more

Delicious, flavorful small to medium sized tapas and crafted cocktails await! Without a reservation, seating was limited. A friend and I were able to get seats in the basement bar area with the same menu. The crab on miso pancake was incredible. Also loved: rigatoni and glazed carrots with goat cheese. Ambience was nice- somewhat loud in the basement, though. read more

i have had very few perfect meals. my first time at central provisions was easily a perfect meal. the service was fantastic. every bite burst with flavor. even my mocktail was incredible. i ordered the tuna crudo topped with caviar, bone marrow toast, nigiri, and key lime tart. i got a knife to scrape the plate the food was served on so i missed no taste. incredible, would return to the area just to eat here again. read more

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This is a GREAT place to try uniquely crafted dishes and tasty cocktails. Consider this experience an intro into the "fine dining" world. The tapas style dining gives you a chance to try a little bit of everything. Wait times and reservation availability can vary but we usually go right after opening and sit downstairs by the bar (some table seating is available). The menu is always changing but you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. Enjoy every bite! read more

Central provisions in Portland Maine is a great find for an upscale dinner. We went on a Sunday night during a long weekend visit and were seated kitchen side and got to watch the efficiency and art of the chefs preparations. The ambiance is warm and inviting and the staff seemed so in sync. The menu hits all the foods I love, crudos and foie gras, and puts a unique spin on all the dishes. The menu changes regularly and all the ingredients seemed so fresh. We loved the kanpachi crudo with the fennel, shallot and yuzu. We also had the bone marrow toast, and though it's a unique take, it came out in a sort of deep dish pizza shape which I wasn't expecting. I love bone marrow solo, so it didn't come through enough in the dish for me. They have foie gras on the menu, which I got seared and it was amazing. It melted in my mouth. They also have an extensive cocktail and mocktail list which I appreciated. Though there were families visiting as well, I think the warm lighting and cocktails and small plates emphasis lends itself better to a date night or small friend outing. Would definitely recommend! read more

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Nice little spot for a beer! We stopped in here today while we were waiting for our light house tour. This spot came up nearby, and it was a great quick detour for us to kill some time and drink good beer. My husband had the dark lager, which he really enjoyed. I tried the Vermonter cider, which was refreshing and not too sweet. The staff are also really friendly, super quick and helpful with their food and drink, which is a huge plus. We didn't try the food, but I would totally come back to try the tapas. The selection on the menu looked good. read more

Central Provisions - Dark lager - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

We went for Saturday brunch and everything was wonderful. We had several of the cocktails. All were top notch, well made and distinctive. The tapas style dining was fun and allowed us to try 8ish plates. The service was impeccable with a friendly waiter who was quick with knowledgeable suggestions. The place was warm and cozy on a chilly Portland day. It isn't a big place so make a reservation. read more

Central Provisions - Menu - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

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It's a cute place with excellent service and great food. Our server, Jonathan, was wonderful, attentive, and helpful with our food allergies. ( THANK YOU!) The food was fabulous, and we had a wonderful time. All our apps, entrees, and desserts were amazing, down to the side French fry order. (We also asked the FF without the spices; they were very accommodating. ) I also have to mention they had a separate menu- If you have any dietary restrictions on what to avoid, I LOVED THAT!!! ( Jonathan gave me in addition to the menu) We enjoyed the bread and butter, cheese boards, fries, entrees, and desserts, which were all delicious. We will be back when in Portland again. Enjoy! read more

This is a tough review for me as there were several things about CP that were really good and several that just needed a little work. To start, we arrived 30 minutes early and had drinks at the downstairs bar. Our server downstairs was great. Talked through the menu and stayed on top of our drinks. We interacted with the hostess about 10 mins before our reservation as she tried to seat us in the bar area and reminded her we were waiting on a table. She told us she would come get us when our table was ready. We waited until 5-10 mins past our reservation time and walked up to check in, and she told us that she was just coming to get us but continued to sit a group that had just walked in. Once we got to our seats, it took us 25 mins to get a drink and place our order. We got the first round of drinks then our server never came back to ask if we needed another round for the entire meal. For the food, most of it was really good. The stuff we didn't like was just barely off. Some was over seasoned or sauced, but for the most part, it was really good. For example, we ordered the 80+ dollar caviar and the pancake was burnt slightly. We watched the chef continue to burn all of the pancakes for other guests as well. The flat top was turned high to sear the steaks (which is understandable) but they didn't manage the heat for the more delicate items. As another knock on our server, he didn't explain a single dish. We ordered the crab, which came as a crab salad on a pancake with spoons. We asked how we should eat it and his response was "some people just smear it". I can't imagine that's how the executive chef wanted it to be explained. I think this place is a couple execution/management items away from being really good! Hoping they fix it. read more

It's been a while since I've been there. We sat at the bar so we could watch the food prep. We shared several small plates and recalled we enjoyed them all! Service from the Bar was prompt and the server was friendly. This place has an overall fun atmosphere. We will return. read more

Every acceptable of Central Provision is top notch! The chefs counter seating is a show and a dinner all in one! The service is super friendly and spot on, anticipatory and professional. The food is next level, layers of flavor and textures! Every course is paced out perfectly as well. The caviar service is a must try = the accompaniments are what makes this next level. The foie gras options (and caviar service) should be on everyone's food bucket list. The marrow toast is another item you should try in life at least once (if not once a week, just don't tell your heart doctor). Love the wood and brick, large windows make it and inviting casual place to fill your belly! Really tasty beverage options as well, excellent beer and cocktails list (non-alcoholic options too and some really tasty ones at that). If you're anywhere near Portland Central Provision needs to be on your list if not, you're missing out and leaving more open seats for me to go back so win for me! read more

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Nice that you can join waitlist here. Food was amazing Bloody Mary was Awesome definitely a place To revisit in the future read more

Central Provisions - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

This is one of our favorites restaurants on Earth! Consistently good and re-inventive. Bite sized portions that are perfect for sharing. This was our third time; we make a point to stop by every time we come to Maine. The two of us ordered the spicy beef salad, beet salad, cheese platter, crab pancake, seasonal squash, and yakisoba noodles. Rhubarb sorbet for dessert Would probably skip the beet salad and cheese next time (but they were still good!). Everything else was well worth the price. Yakisoba noodles and crab pancakes were our favorites! read more

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We just came in for a quick bite and were able to snag a whole now table at the bar on a busy night. It's small plates. My husband had some kind of raw fish and he loved it! I had bread with butter which sounds lame...but it was 3 thick slices of fresh toasted bread. There was a corn butter topped with a chili crunch on top. And the best part: beer sabayon! I never heard of a savory custard. Now I'm going to make it all the time!!! What a great find. We also had a beet salad. It had a lemony vinaigrette and avocado creama. So good!! we didn't order a lot because we really wanted to try out this gelato place around the corner, but these three dishes were so filling we don't have room for dessert. read more

Central Provisions - Tapas/Small Plates Near Me - Portland, Maine

I was quite dissapointed by my experience here. I had heard a lot about the place over the years. A lot of the food combinations and choices were not something I was interested in. There are so many better places in Portland. read more

Wow this restaurant was delicious! I went for brunch and don't a bunch of plates, but the bone marrow toast exceeded ended all expectations. read more

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One of the more standout restaurants in a city with a lot of great restaurants. Small plates with a little of everything for everyone. They even have a caviar menu!!!!! If you like caviar definitely give this a try. They make little Bellini pancakes with creme fresh to pair with delicacy. Lots of other great items on the menu as well perfect for sharing. Craft cocktails and good wine list available for pairing with your meal. Recommend getting reservation for this restaurant, they do have first come seating at the bar-but you better be there right when they open to get a seat. Staff is lovely and informative. Fun great dining experience and worthy of going every time as the menu changes seasonally. read more

Special place! The kitchen is run like a telepathic dance group and the food is special and delicious! We had the chopped salad, beet salad, cauliflower and a sweet potato special so even without ordering the meat goodies we were happy and full! read more