#Exquisite is the only word to describe the experience that I had at Tarbell's. I was there for a special menu so I am not sure how it would compare with an "average" evening, but mine was phenomenal.
First and foremost, was the service. It was on par with dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant. The team executed flawlessly and what I really appreciated was the staff was allowed to have a personality. I hate fine dining where you feel like you're being served by a robot. They were joking and laughing and helping to create an authentic experience. Even if I hated the food (which I certainly did NOT), I would come back simply for the service.
First Course: Chicken Liver Mousse. Pickled Strawberries, Whipped Crow's Dairy goat cheese. Paired with 2014 Misere. I approached this course cautiously, but the flavor was perfect. It was a wonderful way to wake up the palate for the remainder of the evening!
Second Course: Chilean Sea Bass en Papillote. Summer Squash, Wong's Farm tomatoes, charred citrus beurre blanc. Paired with 2016 Kyrie Blanco and 2018 Kyrie Blanco. The fish was incredible. I don't eat a lot of fish and if I could have just eaten one dish for the remainder of the evening, this Chilean Sea Bass would have been eat. So tender and flavorful! I am still drooling!
Third Course: Coriander Roast Duck. Housemade meguez, parsnip puree, braised organic carrots, au jus. Paired with 2013 Clos de I'Obac. Another nice burst of flavor here. Duck is rich and you don't need much to really absorb the seasoning. Well done!
Fourth Course: Prime Cut Filet with Mushroom Duxelles. Sweet onion soubise, confit crispy potato, red wine reduction. Paired with 2006 Clos de I'Obac. Tender! Juicy! Are there any other fitting adjectives to describe a perfectly prepared piece of meat? (I died when someone in our party only took two bites of the steak and then sent it away to save room for dessert. Big mistake!).
Fifth Course: Three-Way Chocolate Cake & Chilled Strawberry Soup. Served with 2010 Dolc de I'Obac. The only disappointment of the evening. For starters, the shape of the cake reminded me of something that you would see at a school bake school --like a big brick. It wasn't appealing and I was amazed at how big it was. It seemed like a belly stuffer. Everything else we had was so flavorful and this fell flat. The accompanying "strawberry soup" was just weird. This dessert marred what had been a flawless experience.
In terms of ambiance, Tarbell's can't be beat. At night, the lighting is perfect and romantic with a great vibe. I saw so many different kinds of people here (even on a Monday night) that I can't imagine how busy it must get on weekends. Perfect for a date night or just celebrating something with friends. Honestly, Tarbell's is a great example of how simply paying attention to vibe means that you don't have to invest a lot of money in your property. The strip mall that it's in is old and dumpy, but you're transported when you walk through the doors. You can't fake this kind of elegance. read more