We stopped in on a Tuesday night without a reservation, and were probably taken care of. Super nice folks and food was amazing! The young lady making the cocktails also has a great knack. An espresso martini, with real espresso! My wife and I split everything so we started with the cabbage dish, which doesn't sound like much, but was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. Next up was the lamb pappardelle, perfect amount of sauce without overwhelming the dish and fresh pecorino cheese on top. We would definitely come back again! read more

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I've spent years seeking out restaurants worth traveling for. I don't just eat to eat--I plan entire trips around food. Hospitality matters to me just as much as what's on the plate because great restaurants don't just serve meals; they create memories. Unfortunately, Shift became one I'll never forget for the wrong reasons. Our day couldn't have been further from what the staff assumed. We spent the morning hiking, went back to rest, explored a local bookstore, grabbed ice cream, and walked to our dinner reservation. Not one alcoholic drink had been consumed by anyone in our group the entire day. Not one. We also had a child with us. The only conversation we had with the host before being seated was asking whether it was okay that we had arrived about twenty minutes early for our reservation. We were polite, excited, and looking forward to dinner. Then my husband ordered a beer. The waitress immediately refused because she claimed the hostess believed my husbands speech and mannerisms meant he was intoxicated. Read that again. A guest who had consumed zero alcohol all day was judged to be intoxicated. I understand the responsibility restaurants have. If someone is genuinely impaired, absolutely don't serve them. Every responsible restaurant should protect its guests and its liquor license. But there is an equally important responsibility that seems to have been forgotten: making sure your judgment is actually right before labeling someone. There was no bar crawl. No cocktails beforehand. No wine tasting. No brewery stop. No hidden drinks. There wasn't even one drink. We left feeling embarrassed, confused, and honestly caught off guard. Not because a beer was refused, but because a person was reduced to an assumption based solely on how they naturally presented themselves. Here's what makes the experience even harder to understand. After leaving Shift, we walked to Atria, where we remained for approximately two hours. We talked, enjoyed ourselves, and spent the evening there without issue. If someone in our party had truly been intoxicated wouldn't that have been obvious there as well? It wasn't. Food can be good. Cocktails can be creative. Service can be polished. None of that matters if hospitality disappears the moment someone doesn't fit your expectation of what a guest "should" look or sound like. Maybe perhaps because we weren't locals we seemed off ? To anyone considering Shift, especially if you're traveling with someone whose speech, mannerisms, or disability could be misunderstood, know that this was our experience. I hope the restaurant reflects on what happened and asks itself a difficult question: How many guests have we mistaken for being intoxicated when, in reality, they simply communicated differently? Because that's not just a missed beer. That's a missed opportunity to treat someone with dignity. I came to Flagstaff excited to discover one of its most " creative" restaurants. Instead, I left wondering how quickly a restaurant built on hospitality could make a guest feel so unwelcome. Simply , because my husband is a restaurant manager in Las Vegas, who has managed restaurants like Yellowtail, Herbs&Rye, Gjelina, and Edo we left out of respect for the industry. However, we should have got our deposit automatically refunded. Next time, take the time. Take the time to care. If a staff member is under this assumption, management intervene not to just follow said assumption and repeat what she said, but to hold an actual conversation with your guest, to evaluate , to observe, to understand. I promise you, that would change so many things for you. read more

we escaped the Vegas heat for the cool mountain air on a last-minute trip to Flagstaff. we got into town a little later in the evening and started looking for a place to eat. we came across this restaurant, and the menu looked really appealing. we tried making a reservation through their website, but it didn't go through, so we decided to just walk in. luckily, there were plenty of tables available since it was a Thursday night. we were seated right away, and the service was quick from the start. our server (i wish i remembered her name) was incredibly sweet and friendly. she gave us a few recommendations while we picked out some dishes on our own. the manager was also welcoming, which made for a great first impression. the first dish arrived, and it looked delicious. unfortunately, it was just okay once we started eating. next came the heirloom carrots. they were a little cold and soggy, but we ate them anyway since we were hungry. then the roasted cabbage arrived. the first bite was actually pretty good, but after a few more bites, it went downhill. it was too soft, the flavors were bland, and there were just too many toppings that overwhelmed the dish. we were really looking forward to the lamb pasta because it looked amazing, but the first bite was a surprise--it was incredibly salty. we still finished most of it because we were hungry. thinking maybe we'd have better luck, we ordered one last dish: the fried pork. we honestly wish we hadn't. it was very bland and lacked flavor. for around $34 (if i remember correctly), it definitely wasn't worth the price. overall, we left disappointed. the menu and presentation had us excited, but the flavors just didn't deliver. looking back, we probably should have tried a different restaurant, but it was already late and we were tired. the one thing that really stood out was the service. our server was wonderful, and the manager was friendly and welcoming throughout our visit. we chose not to mention our thoughts about the food because everyone treated us so well. sometimes a meal just doesn't live up to the expectations, and unfortunately, this was one of those times. based on our experience, i wouldn't recommend this place. while the service was excellent, the food simply didn't meet our expectations, especially for the price. read more

This was my 3rd visit to Shift and IT IS PHENOMENAL!!! The food is SO good- I've tried different dishes each visit and they have all been incredible. The ingredients are locally sourced- the menu changes seasonally- I love that! It's hands down a must visit if you're in Flagstaff. A special shout out to Brent and Danny - you both are wonderful- thank you for making it such a special dining experience. read more

My wife and I ate here on a whim and wow, what a gem in Flagstaff! Possibly our favorite place in town to date. It has a cozy and cute interior, with a great view of the chefs at work if you sit at the bar. What made shift standout to us were their creative flavor combinations. On paper, we just had a salad pork chop and fish. But their flavors really made those dishes stand out! The blood orange sauce complimented the pork chop (which was cooked perfectly) so well. The fish was definitely more Asian inspired with bok choy and a soy based sauce. It was perhaps a touch salty for me but the flavors were good. The dessert was awesome. It was described as a bite of fall. Between the wine soaked pears, nuts, and the pumpkin mousse, I honestly can't think of a better description. If youre in town, shift on over here and give this place a try read more

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Heard so much about this place. Highly recommend making a reservation as this place is really not big at all. Me and the wife are celebrating our wedding in Flagstaff and upon sitting us down we were greeted by a congratulations card signed by everyone working that night! They also gave us a complimentary mocktail after noticing we didn't order alcohol which was a nice treat. The setting is really cozy and intimate - you can see literally over the counter the 4 chefs making the food in a very small open area. Shift is unique I believe they change their menu everyday or week or something like that so what I had is probably not guaranteed to be back when you visit, but this is what we ordered. Dill brined French fries Pork chop with roman date sauce and citrus supreme with arugula mint salad Bavette Steak Poached pear and grapefruit sorbet Everything was a certified banger. And shift I think their intention is to really make you think about what you're eating and shift expectations . They wowed me and my wife every plate. I want to call out specifically the pork chop. I never would think a date sauce and citrus surpreme would pair too well with porkchops. I know a lot of people can put like molasses or sweeter sauces but they leaned really into that but it wasn't too sweet or overbearing. Same with the dill brined French fries. No overbearing dill flavor but you can definitely taste it and wonder hmm how's this work why's this so good? I truly loved this place. If you're in Flagstaff it is a pricier option - it's a tapas restaurant technically so multiple small plates will be needed to make you full - so after skiing could add up quite a bit. But this might be the best food I've had in Arizona so far. Service was excellent, food phenomenal. read more

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Wow. Amazing service, food and overall experience. If I could give 10 stars I would. We sat at the bar overlooking the chefs cooking which was such a fun experience to see. They were super friendly and made sure our food was perfect. Make sure you get the pickled fries and the duck taquitos. We will be back. read more

Had a great dinner with friends at Shift! Everything is shareable which is great since you are able to enjoy their fantastic selections. Service was friendly and helpful he pace of the meals coming out was perfect! Do yourself a solid and get a resi here! read more

Shift Kitchen & Bar - Was enjoying so much forgot food pics! - New American Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

This restaurant was absolutely amazing. The service was exceptional--attentive without being overbearing, with consistent check-ins, friendly staff, and a team that was genuinely knowledgeable about the menu and dishes. The restaurant itself was clean and had a stylish modern-meets-vintage vibe that made the atmosphere feel both cozy and upscale. Their cocktail menu was especially unique. I ordered the Vendetta Ride, and it was easily one of my favorite drinks of the night: light, slightly sweet, and finished with just the right kick. I absolutely loved it. The menu features creative contemporary American cuisine with an emphasis on sharing plates, which made the experience even more fun. We ordered two appetizers, two mains, and a dessert, and overall everything was excellent. My only critique would be the Duck Taquitos. The duck flavor was not there, and the mesquite mole sauce leaned too sweet for my taste. Aside from that, every dish impressed us. Overall, it was a fantastic meal and a great dining experience. I would highly recommend this spot if you're in Flagstaff! read more

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Shift is a fun upscale tapas style restaurant. Very cool to watch the chefs cook in the open style kitchen. Fresh local ingredients, flavorful food and great service. My favorite dish we tried was the porkchop. We were celebrating an anniversary and they offered us complimentary champagne or dessert which was very thoughtful. I do wish they had more than one small bathroom. read more

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Always say yes to a cocktail from Shift! Incredible attention to detail from their mixologist. You will have to order a second! LGBTQ friendly Open kitchen makes the bar fun to watch the chef. read more

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We would have given Shift a 5, but the seating in the back booth-style area was uncomfortable. Everything else was great. I recommend doing the chef's tasting menu if it's your first time. The food was amazing, especially the duck tacos. Service was very good too, but I do wish our server had shown us the wine bottles during the pairing. We would have loved to take pictures and know what wines we were having so we could order them in the future. read more

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This unassuming venue nestled between a row of shops in downtown Flagstaff is an absolute Must-Try. The food is exceptional and menu is very creative. Service was impeccable and very attentive. I applaud the culinary artistry and courages creativity for combining the freshest ingredients into bouquets of flavor and visual delight. I would have given this place 7 stars if I could!! read more

We had a fantastic dinner sitting at the Chef's counter! We watched the plates go out and everything looked delicious, interesting and innovative. We shared several plates - duck taquitos, roasted cabbage, and lamb pasta. All wonderful! Loved the staff and talking with them about the food. We will be regulars once we become Flagstaff residents and can't wait to try other things on the menu. read more

We stopped in for some bites and a drink before a concert, and overall I would give this establishment a 3.8 We enjoyed the fries and brussel sprouts from the appetizer section, and also tried the mushroom pasta. We also ordered the special cocktail of the day, a passion fruit margarita. This is a nice restaurant and would be a good place for happy hour. We liked the fries and sprouts, but found the pasta to be a small portion for a really high price and would not likely order a main entree here again. The best part of the meal was the savory basil and goat cheese sorbet, which was inventive and a fair price for what it was. The drinks were strong and service was good. But unfortunately I think this place is a bit overpriced for what you get and in comparison to other options in Flagstaff. read more

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The food is amazing quality. The roasted cabbage has a very flavorful pistachio vibe. The pork chop was incredible. read more

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Drinks are amazing. Mixologist is excellent. The bread board is tasty, as well as the burger and fries. However, most of the main entree selections are a bit too upscale and not to our liking. Lamb and duck. The sorbets are just plain weird. The watermelon had very little taste...bland. Basil sorbet?? You all may like all of the food. Just sayin' read more

While staying the night in Flagstaff as a stopover, my hubs & I tried this place!! It was my birthday and I wanted to go somewhere casual, yet eloquent, with a unique vibe and good food, Nailed it! I wish I had taken pics of everything we ate but I was enjoying my meal too much. From my bread appitser to my Halibut; everything tasted good! Nothing was fishy or stale. If I am ever in Flagstaff again, I will definitely go there!! Highly recommend, enjoy!! read more

Shift Kitchen & Bar - Bread, olives and homemade cherry butter - New American Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Small, cute spot with great staff! Super unique menu, so many flavors. I personally loved everything I had, my husband thought there was a little too much going on flavor wise (namely with the rabbit and the special custard pie dessert). I thought it was a lot but unique and complex and new so I really enjoyed ! The foie Gras was insane !!! Would definitely come back to try more things! read more

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A quaint little spot in DT Flagstaff. The dishes are intended to be shared amongst the table so we ordered a little bit of everything. Everything contained an elevated flavor profile that you won't typically see in a modern American restaurant. If you're looking for a unique dining experience this is the spot to try! read more

Shift Kitchen & Bar - Wine Burger - New American Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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I highly recommend this place. We ate there over the weekend. Food is top notch. Drinks were super creative. You can tell they spent a lot of time crafting that drink menu. We shared several dishes and all were top notch. I would say this is on par with Atria, but without the price tag. I only gave it a 4 star because our server seemed like a a bland AI robot who included herself in our menu selections. (i.e. "have We decided what We are drinking tonight?" - actually You are not having drinks with us, or dinner for that matter.). Not too big a deal. But annoying! read more

The food was very good. The venue is cute. It was a busy week night. Not too pleased with the service, waitress not so friendly but oddly the food for my friend arrived a good twenty minutes later than mine. I'd return because of the delicious dishes. read more

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Oh my gosh. If you are curious where to eat when you visit and you enjoy good culinary experiences, please do us all a favor and enjoy this spot. The food was excellent. I don't know if chef changes the menus often BUT we had the fattoush salad, the bread board, cabbage, fideo with the venison sausage, and the chicken thighs and for dessert, we had the parsley and the apricot gelato. Yes, it sounds strange, parsley gelato but holy moly, it is probably one of the best desserts I've ever had. It is savory and sweet, so if you like really sweet desserts, it might not be your favorite but it is definitely unique and delicious. Everything was incredible. My only critique is that everything is a shareable and there's no way to serve each item, which is easily fixed with a serving spoon so, not really a critique. 11/10 food Service was great. Attentive without smothering me. Ambiance was good too. Not too crowded. Noise level was good. Go. You will not regret it. read more

Service was terrific- knowledgeable on menu - friendly - engaging - Loved open kitchen well done clean great food! Drinks very nice! read more

Shift Kitchen & Bar - New American Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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Beyond amazing. Superb. Life Changing. A literal gem in the West and the team is beyond incredible. Humanity at its best. Taking the "traditional into EXTRAORDINARY". read more

Shift Kitchen & Bar - Roasted Savoy Cabbage - New American Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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Great food...tried almost the entire menu over two visits. Sat at chef's table and had great discussions with the staff while our food was prepared. A must go to place any time you're in Flagstaff. read more

Very, very good food start to finish. With a group of four, we tried many of the tapas styled plates on the menu and shared. The offered cocktails were unique and delicious. One comment - replace the cold and very hard steel chairs! They were extremely uncomfortable and a couple of our skinny dinners were literally sitting on their jackets to ease the way during our leisurely two hour meal. read more

This has got to be one of the most delicious meals we've ever had! Absolutely everything we ate was a 10/10! We started with the Crispy Brussels, which were just a perfect portion for sharing. Drizzled in aleppo honey and tiny chunks of Humboldt Fog cheese (a goat cheese that tastes similar to Blue cheese with a texture like Brie), this concoction just melted in ones mouth! Next for our main dishes, I had the Sacchetti Pasta. Four perfect little pouches of pasta filled with parsnip & ricotta cheese accompanied with black garlic & pecorino chips, this dish did not disappoint! Unique & fresh,... absolutely delicious! My date had the Bison Bone-In Short Ribs. The ribs, which literally just fell off the bone as they were cooked perfectly, sat above a yummy, pumpkin polenta. Short Rib Jus (gravy) was drizzled on top and fresh pomegranate seeds were sprinkled throughout. Acorn squash chips also accompanied the dish, to give the perfect fall menu item. For dessert, we shared the Chocolate Mousse. Bananas foster surrounded the generous portion of chocolate mousse, topped with coffee walnut gelato. Dehydrated marshmallows (probably the coolest thing ever), topped the dessert throughout. This item was a stand out for both of us. We couldn't stop talking about what an incredible combination this dessert was, not only in flavor, but fun to eat! The staff was incredible throughout our entire visit. We had reservations, which we suggest you do too, as this restaurant gets BUSY! Absolutely an unbelievable meal! 5-STARS! read more

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The best place to take your loved ones for a delicious experience!! Danny and Jenna are top notch:)

We went to Shift with little to no knowledge of the owner, chef, or restaurant. We went based off Yelp average ratings and the food photos from Yelp. Tbh we were quite rushed and did very little research. But I saw there were plenty of vegetables in the photos and that excited me! These days it seems that a lot of restaurants are really cutting back on vegetables on their menus. I'm not a vegetarian, vegan or anything I just simply enjoy fiber, nutrients and vitamins with my protein. I love that we were able to make a reservation via Yelp, so easy! We arrived on a Saturday 1 hour ahead of our reservation and thankfully we were able to be seated. This is a popular restaurant so it is wise to either make a reservation or arrive early. Hot tip, in the reservation for make a request for back room seating. We ordered a bunch of dishes to share and we were surprised at how generous the portions were especially since we heard they are tapas style, I was expecting very scant portions. While we were dining I noticed there were some very familiar ingredients in the food close to my Cantonese roots but also a wonderful array of south west flavors and very fresh delightful food. After we dined I looked into the restaurant and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the owner is part Cantonese. So cool. It was a wonderful surprise to experience a new way of using traditional Cantonese flavors into south west new American cuisine. I don't want to simplify the genre of Shift too much because Shift seems to be boundless in creativity, infusing familiar flavors into unique textures in such an exciting original and very enjoyable way. LGBTQ+ friendly, which I love. Allergy awareness is very alive here which I appreciate. Very kind and helpful staff. Wish I was into cocktails as they looked absolutely luxe and refreshing. Details matter and they do not miss a beat, every cocktail was like a work of art. Special shaped ice cubes, endless garnishes, colors, etc. The wine list looked quite appealing as well. The vibe here is very flagstaff meets a chic Florentine (Italy) restaurant (I'm thinking of Zeb). The cleanest restrooms I've ever used in my life. Simple chic interior. Wish I was around for the morning bake sale the croissants look superb. read more

The energy matches the food at Shift. We enjoyed sitting at the Chef's counter and trying multiple items from the menu. Everything was great. One thing we learned at the counter was if you slow down and focus on what you are doing, it turns out perfect. Parking is easy if you take advantage of the underground public parking nearby. read more

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This is a really good spot. As the name suggests, it's a "shift" from traditional dining norms. The Pork Chop was the best dish overall. Duck Confit Rolled Tacos were delicious and the Bison Carne Asada Street Tacos were bursting with flavor. Great service and a lively atmosphere. It's a GO. read more

Shift Kitchen & Bar - A peek at the back room..: - New American Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

We had a really nice dinner at Shift in Flagstaff. We were seated at a countertop table. We did not have the chef-facing view but that was fine. We made a same-day reservation and got seated right away. We ordered the salmon carpaccio and bread board to start. The bread came with two house-made butters. The olives were very tasty. The bread was fluffy and warm. We devoured the salmon dish. The scallops and agnolotti pasta were both delicious. The portions were on the lighter side, which was fine because we had room for dessert. For dessert, we had the jalapeño cheesecake. It was very unique. It was not my cup of tea, but my husband liked it. It definitely had a kick to it. We really enjoyed the dinner and were happy with the experience overall. read more

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I have now been here twice during visits to Flagstaff. What an absolute gem! I couldn't wait to come back the second time after having such an incredible experience the first time last spring. I had a reservation both times as the restaurant tends to be quite busy. Sat at the counter both times as well. This is my preferred spot. It is fun watching the chefs prepare food and see what comes out. Some of the things we ordered we did so because of the way we saw them being prepared. My absolute favorite thing on the menu are the duck taquitos. Crispy, savory bites of goodness. Make sure you start with the sorbet. This is a tangy and earthy palate cleanser. I could eat 10 of them. The pickled french fries were crispy and delicious. We asked the chef what his favorite thing on the menu was. He told us it was the pork chop. We were not disappointed! It was the most savory, moist, and delicious chop either my husband or I have ever eaten. We followed it up with a slice of guava and strawberry pie which was no less delicious. Cocktails are also top notch here. This will be my go to every time I go through Flagstaff. It is a place to have fun and experiment with food with a friend or a group...lots of shareable menu items that are all priced well. The chef and his team work incredibly hard to make everything look and taste perfect before it is placed in front of you. My husband said this was the most satisfying meal out he has had in a very long time. read more

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First, who ever designed Shift has done an excellent job of using the space in the most efficient and effective way possible. The seating overlooking the kitchen is fantastic. We sat further back in the place. Pro tip. If you want a great experience with just four people, try to get the table in the far back right corner. The ambiance is a mix of new and old done in a very tasteful manner. Leaving the brick wall exposed in the back was a stroke of brilliance. We made reservations which are highly recommended so that you will not be disappointed if you just show up and hope for the best. Those who following me know that my wife has food allergies. The staff from the greeter, to the server to the chef put forth the best effort that I have ever experienced in providing options for her. They hit a home run with the bases loaded. The chef went so far as to mark up a menu in which each entree was noted and how they could prepare it specially for her. This is way above and beyond. The service was out standing. I am talking about the kind of service one expects at The Court of Two Sisters or Commanders Palace in New Orleans. Now to the food. I had the pork chop. I did not really know what I was getting into, but I sure liked it. The chop was cooked perfectly and the garnish was excellent. A mint flavored salad came with it. Such a perfect combination. My wife had the lamb chop. She simply smiled (grinned) through the whole meal. With both had wine with the meal. I cannot remember which one she got, but it was a dry white. I have the Cabernet. OMG. Now for the dessert. Toffee cheese cake. A perfect end to a great experience. The crust was perfect. The cheese cake was light and simply wonderful. I have eaten all over the world. Shift has gone a lone ways in finding ways to meld the flavors of each entree. I have no hesitation in saying that this was the best dining experience that I have had, outside of New Orleans. Two entrees, three glasses of wine and dessert $145.00. Not bad!!! read more

The food was delish and the service was good. However, the environment is noisy and crowded. They need more space!

Food, ambiance and service! All went perfectly right! From the time my family and I showed up at the door to the time we got ready to leave. We'd like to thank our server! Thank you ! Tarcisio G read more

Service and ambiance are great as always. Pickled fries and carrot salad - tasty Savory sorbets - we did taste the kiwi and cilantro, though the syrup flavor (like green apple syrup in the kiwi sorbet) was too sweet and prominent. Sunflower seed risotto - I can see what was trying to be done, but was very prominent of just coconut milk flavor Bison bone-in ribs - under seasoned meat and polenta. Nicely cooked meat. Scallops were seasoned well and tasty. The cauliflower sauce and oil were tasty. Jalapeño cheesecake - surprisingly spicy, and the rhubarb and cheddar cheese crumbles were a nice balancing factor read more

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We were greeted promptly upon entering. We had a reservation and were seated right away. We sat in the back seating area next to an already occupied table. Our table was a bit wobbly and I couldn't get it any closer to the bench seating that I had on my side, so the seating was just okay. Hubby had a high top chair. The seating is a bit too close for personal conversation IMHO. The music was a bit too loud, but I believe it was lowered. I had a hard time hearing our server, Lily, when she first greeted us. She did a great job throughout our meal. The apps were all tasty, especially the mussel toast. It was spicy and interesting. The pickled fries weren't overpowering in their pickling, and the sauces were delish. The crudo was very tasty, but there was too much cream cheese. You didn't need to use it all, but it wasn't needed so it was wasted on us. Hubby had the rabbit lasagnette. He said it was tasty and he enjoyed the fresh pasta, but he couldn't tell that it was rabbit. He was looking forward to rabbit and knows it well, but he couldn't discern it in the dish. He said it could have been any other meat and he wouldn't have known the difference. I had the halibut cheeks fra diavolo. It was delish and I would def order it again. I would prob like it cooked a bit less than it was delivered, but many would consider it perfect. Overall, it was a good experience with great service. read more

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Excellent! We had a Lebanese salad and roasted carrots for appetizer. Both were amazing. Hubby had a pork chop that was out of this world. I had chicken thighs with wild rice that was tender and well prepared. We saw the Grand Canyon for the first time today. It was awe inspiring and so was this meal! read more