Our first visit to the Lost Lion definitely won't be our last. Braydn was our server, and her…read moreservice was exceptional. Another food runner also deserves recognition because he was incredibly motivated and on top of everything. Their timing was perfect. Braydn seemed to intuitively know exactly when to check on us, refill our drinks, and ask if we were ready to order. She was genuinely friendly and looked like she truly enjoyed her job, which always makes for a better dining experience.
We sampled a few cocktails, and my White Cosmo was absolutely delicious! For dinner, I ordered the Oh My Mahi, and "oh my" was exactly my reaction. The moist mahi mahi was served over a bed of saffron rice and topped with an Asian slaw. There were so many layers of flavor, and every bite depended on how you attacked it. I started by dragging my fork through the hoisin sauce and picking up some rice, fish, and slaw all together. The temperature and flavor combinations were remarkable with the hot saffron rice with just a hint of hoisin, the fresh, flaky fish, a pop of ginger, then the cooler, crisp crunch of carrots, cabbage, red onion, red pepper, and I think spinach. Every bite was different, the presentation was beautiful, and the meal was simply amazing. My husband ordered the Papa Burger, a clever play on "jalapeño popper." It featured two flavorful patties topped with bacon, jalapeño jelly, cheddar, cream cheese, sautéed onions, and fresh-cut fries. I stole one bite...then another...then a third! I'm officially renaming it the "Oh My Poppa Burger" because it may have been the best burger I've ever tasted. That says a lot because I'm a traditionalist when it comes to burgers. I'm not even a bacon fan. Yet somehow this combination just worked. What is in that cream cheese, bacon, and jalapeño jelly combo that make this burger so ridiculously good? Next time I'm in a burger mood, I am coming here! But everything looked so good so I may be back before that burger mood strikes.
The only reason I'm giving Lost Lion four instead of five stars is that my husband would have loved to add a simple slice of tomato and some lettuce. We were hesitant to ask because we know substitutions can snowball, and we quickly got the impression that the chef preferred not to alter the menu as written. He didn't even dare ask for a side of ranch for the fries after this. If small additions like lettuce or tomato were an option, even for a small upcharge, it would make an already fantastic burger even better for some. That said, between the outstanding service, creative and delicious food, excellent cocktails, and warm ambiance on a Thursday evening, The Lost Lion made a wonderful first impression. We'll definitely be back.
