We went to Braised tonight and, admittedly, we haven't been there in a few years. Not because of…read moreanything negative--it just hasn't been one of the places that comes to mind when we're deciding where to eat.
Well, after tonight, that's going to change.
We started by sharing the wedge salad. I am a blue cheese girl, and this blue cheese was BLUE CHEESE. Rich, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. I could have happily made a meal out of that alone.
We also ordered the calamari, which came with two dipping sauces. One was a sweet and sour-style nuoc cham sauce that was incredible. The other was a fresh, flavorful tartar sauce. The calamari itself was prepared perfectly--light, crispy, not oily at all, and cooked just right.
For dinner, I had the pistachio-crusted salmon over vegetable quinoa. The salmon was excellent. The quinoa was good, but probably just not my personal style. My husband ordered the pork chop with polenta, and wow--both were fantastic. That polenta was especially memorable.
We sat at a table in the bar area (that's our vibe), and we had the pleasure of being served by Orlando, a newer bartender. He was outstanding. From the moment we sat down, we felt welcomed and genuinely taken care of. He introduced us to a mezcal that complemented our meals perfectly and was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Top-notch customer service.
This isn't an inexpensive everyday dinner spot, but the quality of the food, drinks, and service made it absolutely worth it. We had a fantastic experience and will definitely be back.
If you haven't been to Braised lately, go check it out--and if you're lucky enough to have Orlando take care of you, you're in for a great evening.