My long awaited trip to Somssi was a success and a joy. Anytime I see "Atomix alum" my ears will perk up, though the was nothing about our experience here reminiscent of that at Atomix other than the excellent quality of the food, drinks, and service. Somssi's concept is very much its own, one that is memorable and impressive. It's safe to say that regardless of what you order, it will be well executed and delicious.
We came here at 8:30 as a party of two on a Saturday night. The space itself is cute and cozy, very welcoming, with an aesthetic is faintly cottagecore and vintage-y. Like the food, ambiance strikes a nice balance between approachable and curated, and you'll sit down feeling like you're in good hands for the night. That last part is no small thing and coming from me is a big compliment.
We started with drinks, and of course I had to get their martini, which is the Lace on the Door (Gin, vermouth blend, orange bitters, anise). Super delicious, had a little bit of a Tuxedo #2 vibe but drier, just really crisp and smooth and lovely. My partner got the Liquid Love (Aged rum, pocari sweat, lemon, lime), which I loved mainly because a type of sweat as an ingredients is pure satire. The drink was solid, tropical vibes but not sweet, a really well-balanced sip for a drink with this overall flavor profile. I then got the Hidden Treasures Dry Furmint 2022 -- I think the acoustics were a bit off because I had a hard time hearing our server much of the time and when I asked her "how's the Furmint" she must have heard some version of "I'll try the Furmint" because she gave a quick affirmative and left swiftly, returning shortly with a glass. Luckily it was just what I was hoping for.
Food-wise, there's really no way you can go wrong. We got a bunch of things to split, which were all excellent. The one regret we had was not ordering the fries, especially after seeing the couple next to us order them. I am sorry to say I have no pictures because I lost my phone not long after my visit here and it hadn't been backed up recently so you will have to experience it visually in person for yourselves (or just look at other photos, they are probably better than mine anyway). Eats, below:
Fennel salad with meyer lemon, buttermilk dressing
Fresh, bright, light, yummy, perfect for the season. I love a fennel salad as the weather starts to cool down and it's always great for the palate at the beginning of a meal.
Bluefin tuna, golden beets, horseradish, black lime
Fresh, clean flavors highlighting seasonal ingredients. Delicate and thoughtful concept and another great dish the get the taste buds dancing.
Potato, potato, potato, and caviar
Yes, the famous potato dish. It is a visual masterpiece, highlighting the decadence of it all. It's not too big but it is rich and filling, so keep that in mind when putting together your order (this is why we started with two very light dishes).
Grilled ox tongue with romesco, wasabi
This would not have been my go-to since I don't do red meat a lot but I saw it recommended constantly so we had to try it and thank god we did. I've had beef tongue once but otherwise haven't had many similar preparations, and this was totally unique and unbelievably delicious. The cook itself was great but the accompaniments of the romesco and wasabi took it to the next level.
Branzino with sungold beurre blanc and garleek
The fish was beautifully cooked with a perfect sear, bathing in the very tasty beurre blanc which complemented the fish nicely. One of the lighter entrees, so you should definitely consider if you're wanting to try more things. read more