Eden is adorable with its calming blue walls, mood lighting, and dreamy alcoves shielded from tables by sheer drapes. We (Mara G. and I) were seated in one of those alcoves (booths, really) with our drapes open. We made the reservation on open table about two weeks prior and were anticipating our opportunity to dine in style. This was a four and a half star experience.
We selected a lovely bottle from the extensive and intelligent wine list. I asked about cork 'n' carry and of course it's allowed in this county! Yay! It was promptly opened and served.
The bread service was prompt and delicious: fresh onion bread with butter (white truffle oil, sea salt, and black pepper). But why do places bring two people three pieces of bread? Puzzling. How do they expect us to resolve the issue of the extra piece? A duel at the table? Why can't they just bring us four? Or two? Thankfully, Mara G. (*cough* ...breadaholic... *cough*) sliced the third piece in half and shared it with me. To be fair, we were offered more bread.
We started by sharing the veal cheek appetizer. It was an absolutely amazing, generous portion of tender, succulent meat, served with adorable little mini potato pancakes, and the loveliest cherry glaze. Get this. It is quite enough for two.
There was an unseemly long wait between our first and main courses. When the main courses arrived, my scallops were only lukewarm. Mara G.'s pork ossobuco was downright cool. Its as if they left it sitting just beyond the arc of the heatlamp.
Mine was beautiful. (see pic) Four huge U-10 seared scallops in a lovely tomatillo zucchini broth over parmesan risotto with asparagus. Incredible.
However, Mara G.'s plating looked more like "grandma's kitchen" rather than "modern new American $27 a plate food" (see pic) There were gigantic mounds of polenta heaped here and there, as if someone had scraped the bottom of the pot and flicked them onto the plate. No artfully placed ramekin-shaped polenta orbs floating in gorgeous gravy here. Oh well. Guess they didn't think she'd eat with her eyes. To be fair, I am only docking one-fourth of a star for temperature and plating because the flavor and texture of the huge morsels she gave were great.
Mara G. chose the carrot cake waffle for the dessert simply because hazelnut ice cream was listed. See if you can order just the hazelnut ice cream if that is what you want. Honestly, I am still longing for the warm apple cake we did not get.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed dining at Eden and would absolutely return.
[Original Visit: 8-30-13 w/ Mara G. ]
[The other fourth of a star off is for the din.] read more