We waited weeks for this reservation, and the food absolutely lived up to the anticipation. While…read moresome of the service fell short, the cuisine certainly did not.
The restaurant itself is small, but it's charming, cozy, and full of character. I appreciated the thoughtful details, like the mismatched vintage silverware that reminded me of my grandmother's collection and the antique ring trays used to present receipts and credit cards. Those little touches added to the overall ambiance.
The food was exceptional. The mixed salad with the Dijon vinaigrette was perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of bitter dandelion greens. As someone who loves risotto, I was pleasantly surprised to try it prepared in a way I'd never experienced before--pan-fried--which added a wonderful texture while keeping it creamy inside. My husband ordered the rye pasta, and he's convinced it's now his favorite pasta dish of all time. Every plate that came to our table was beautifully prepared and incredibly flavorful. Although the prices are on the higher side, the quality of the food easily earns 5+ stars.
Unfortunately, the service was inconsistent and ultimately overshadowed what should have been a wonderful evening.
When we arrived, the person greeting guests simply said, "Name?" without looking up before leading us to our table. There was no welcome, no hello, or friendly introduction. Not even a smile. Later, I realized he was one of the recipients of the Golden Spoon award, which made the interaction even more surprising.
Our server was the most disappointing part of the evening. When we asked for a recommendation for a good wine, she responded with a snarky, condescending tone, asking my husband if he was "serious." Instead of simply offering a suggestion, she questioned us about where we'd previously had bad wine at any restaurant, asked for the name of the restaurant, and continued in a way that felt more like we were being interrogated for the comment of asking about a good wine than being helped.
After that interaction, we observed her speaking with another server, who looked over at us and laughed. While I can't know exactly what was being discussed, the timing made us feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. Whether or not it was about us, it left us feeling embarrassed and completely changed the mood of our evening. It's difficult to enjoy a special dinner when you feel unwelcome and I felt humiliated.
Thankfully, the other staff members who delivered our food and cleared our plates were warm, friendly, and attentive. One even recommended a wonderful red wine to pair with my husband's pasta, and it was an excellent suggestion!
Overall, the atmosphere created by some members of the staff felt cold, uninviting, and pretentious, which can quickly diminish what should be an enjoyable dining experience. Maybe when you get a Golden Spoon you don't have to try anymore for friendly and inviting?? It's unfortunate because the food is truly outstanding and deserving of high praise.
Had the service--particularly from our main server--matched the quality of the cuisine, this would have been an easy five-star experience.