Terrific meal and staff, heartily recommend!
Came here for a holiday get-together with friends on a Friday night in December. The restaurant was about 85% full, with most of the front and back sections occupied. One of my friends has been here a number of times prior and made reservations in advance. We arrived at 7pm, and it took about 10 minutes for the prior table to be cleared, then we were seated.
The inside is decorated like a classic French bistro, whitewashed brick walls, dark wood paneling, floors and furniture, black framed art with some holiday touches like poinsettias, a mini Christmas tree. We sat in the back where two sections of larger tables were set up with partial banquette seating.
Staff was prompt, courteous and helpful, giving us time to order and answering our questions about preparations and ingredients (some allergies) for certain dishes. They also checked in periodically on how we were doing.
We ordered for food:
- Parmesan Fries - chili flake, parsley, dijonnaise $10: a yummy take. Slight crunch on the exterior and Parmesan added an oomph.
- Grilled Broccoli Salad - lemon tahina, sumac, crispy shallots, golden raisins, pickled fresno $16: not sure of what to expect here though the broccoli was cooked al dente and the mix of flavors and textures really worked well.
- Honeynut Squash - burrata, brown butter bang bang, sesame seeds, fresh mint $18: I still have no idea what "bang bang" is, though the squash was soft, roasted deliciousness. The burrata was fluffy and light.
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts - palm sugar vinaigrette, pomegranate, sesame, mint $12 x2: I think this was a mistake that two orders were placed, though they tasted great with slightly charred leaf edges and sweet/sour/salty flavors from the vinaigrette.
- The Burger - two smash patties, la frieda beef, american cheese, roasted onions, kosher pickles, special sauce, fries $23: the friend who had been here before strongly recommended and the friend who tried it enjoyed it.
- Spaghettoni - spicy pomodoro, fennel sofrito, 24 day dry-aged beef meatballs $25: another recommendation and apparently popular staple item on their menu. Pasta and meatballs were tasty!
- Faroe Islands Salmon - caramelized celery root puree, black kale, white beans, sauce verte $29 x2: fish was cooked beautifully, crispy skin and tender filet. Kale, green sauce and beans provided and nice flavor balance.
- Market fish roasted branzino filet - black kale, sauce verte $33: also cooked very well, with a similar preparation as the salmon.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies with milk $9 x2: baked fresh and served hot, so good we ordered a second one.
- Chocolate Mousse - sangria figs $10: interesting flavor conversation between the earthy chocolate and tart sweet notes of fig. Maybe not my favorite combo though the mousse itself was yummy.
- drinks: we ordered a few bottles of wine and some separate cocktails and whiskey pours.
Overall very enjoyable. Their menu changes seasonally, so there are opportunities to try new dishes! read more