(in my new tradition, please ignore any typos or other errors/omissions, as I'm doing what I can to live in the moment and to avoid perfection!)
Standing, left to right: Heidi, Diane, Charlotte, Lorna, Susan, Karen, Pat
Seated, left to right: Mary, Andrea, Holly, Rebecca
'
Love the design of this sign out front
The dining area
The kitchen
THE FOOD
There were 11 of us, and we sat at adjacent tables, 5 at one and 6 at the other. One of our group decided to order independently; the other 10 of us decided to go communal, and shared the following dishes. I may have missed some, especially at the Front Table (since that is not where I sat, although I happily admit that they did share some bites with me!). Fellow crawlers, please let me know (via comment here, or separate email/phone/text of my omissions or errors) - thanks!
Back Table
- Falafel, romesco, spinach chorizo ($6)
- Octopus, olive salad, pan a gusto, saffron n aioli ($8)
- Grilled calamari, charred leeks, artichokes, olives, romesco sauce ($16)
- Roasted delicata squash salad, black lime, sriracha yogurt ($12)
- Arugula-frisee salad, Asian pear, dates, blue cheese, pomegranates, honey yogurt dressing ($12)
- Pan seared king salmon, white chanterelles, butter beans, sweet herbs, roasted carrots, olive tapenade ($25)
- Lamb kefta, harissa, yogurt cucumber sauce, toasted quinoa, mint ($19)
- Braised pork shoulder, pickled green tomatoes, basil, hot sauce, Lebanese flatbread ($18)
- Braised greens, early girl tomatoes, chickpeas, spices, feta ($6)
- Bittersweet chocolate torta, pistachio, cocoa nibs (8)
Front Table
- Fried squash blossoms, queso fresco, poblano
- Salt spring mussels, roasted apple, ham, fennel pollen, scallions, toasted garlic, rioja blanco, grilled bread
- Chicken and prawns bomba, piperade, heirloom tomato, picholine olives, aioli, fino sherry
- Chicken albondigas, pimenton, tomato, fino sherry, almonds, marjoram
- Grilled broccolini, piri piri sauce
- Bittersweet chocolate torta, pistachio, cocoa nibs
- Churros, spiced bittersweet chocolate sauce
THE DRINKS
Two at my table ordered an "The Early Bird" (blanco tequila, grapefruit, lime agave, sal de gusano). I'm not a big cocktail kind of girl, but I know that I like tequila, and my new love is grapefruit juice, and I was not disappointed. Despite my server's advice, I forgot to enjoy the salt on the edge of the glass, instead using the provided straw. Next time! My drink cost $12. A couple of the ladies at my table ordered a glass of red wine (Cinsault blend, ch d'oupia minervois, 2011), each of which were $9. I'm actually not sure what the folks at the other table ordered to drink, if anything. The cold water was in carafes at our table, and was plentiful.
THE SERVICE
I may be biased, as I got AMAZING service from Tim (General Manager) over the phone before we even showed up at the restaurant, but I think the service was simply superb. Not only did he make special accommodations for our large group in their somewhat-smallish restaurant, but he did so in a way which made me feel welcomed and special, and somehow in the middle of all of that, he made me laugh (on more than one occasion). It is clear that he is passionate about this restaurant, about what he does, and about his customers (us!). He rearranged tables so that we could all sit together, which I think took a bit of "do-ing" on his part. Three thumbs up, if I had that many. Our server that night (sorry, but he name has escaped me, kind of like the name of the poem that escaped Billy Collins, my absolute all-time favorite poet), but it was something like Angelo, and he was friendly, smiling, polite, kind, accommodating, and never, in the least, flinched when we were too busy talking to see that he was standing there, when we asked for recommendations, or when we were indecisive on our orders. Great. Two thumbs up.
THE AMBIANCE
Except for the noise level, I really enjoyed the ambiance. Lots of atmosphere (especially when part of the lights suddenly went off partway through our meal - everyone hustled and got them back on within 1 minute tops, seriously). Interesting textures, colors, materials, and lighting. Dark, but not too dark. Serious enough to take the restaurant and the food seriously, but not too much to make it pretentious or aloof. Very welcoming. But, I have to say, while it wasn't the noisiest restaurant that we've been (this was our 20th!), it was definitely noisy - too noisy, in my book. If I had been by myself, I don't think it would have bothered me (it wasn't that noisy), but it was noisy enough, at least for me, that it made it difficult to hold an easy-flowing conversation. I tend to use fewer words (some might say that's not a bad thing) and everything seems a little more stilted and superficial than it might should there have been a few fewer decibels. My pet peeve.
THE PRICE
Honestly, I don't know how to judge this. Almost wherever I go, prices seem just a tad too high. Objectively, the food (without tax, tip, or drinks) for the Back Table totaled $130, or $26. I left having had enough to eat, so I guess that seems reasonable, for a lovely meal. I'm not sure what the Front Table paid, as we ordered and paid separately (easier), and while I could try to guess (based on the menu I listed earlier), I'm pretty sure that I missed some things that they ordered, so it wouldn't be an accurate representation). And then, of course, add in tax and tip, and maybe a drink, and the number of bills leaving your pocket increases.
THE RATINGS (on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being best)
- Food/Drink - 4.5
- Ambiance - 4.1
- Service - 4.7
- Overall - 4.5
THE COMMENTS (other than mine, as you've already heard enough from me)
- "Would return to try more sections."
- "Very good!"
- "Good food 'n drinks."
- "The servers were very nice!"
- "I'll come back!"
- "Really great experience"
- "I enjoyed everything."
- "It was rather loud; hence, my ambiance score"
- "Thanks for including me!"
- "Food was very good."
- "Good to try, I don't think I would return"
- "Ambiance would have gotten a 5 if it was less noisy."
- "Lovely food - create, tasty."
- "A bit noisy."
Delicious food. Amazing service, especially from Tim. Great ambiance. Despite the noise and despite that it's a little bit over my typical budget (especially given that I've been known to eat more than the normal person), I sincerely hope to return, likely for a special occasion, and/or maybe for a drink and a bite with friends. After all, there are still a couple of things on the menu that I haven't tasted yet, and several that I'd like to taste again!
