Ed P.
Yelp
Tuesday was our 42nd anniversary and I've had this place on my radar for months. Made a reservation for dinner but planned to arrive early and check out Happy Hour at the bar. Came in and the hostess acknowledged our arrival and was totally OK with our plan. They let us know that we could be seated any time we were ready. Two seats available at the patio bar and given menus (several of them) immediately. A seasoned bartender and her trainee were working. I asked about Happy Hour specials and got the rundown. I love a good martini, so asked what the call liquors were for the $8 special. Tanqueray and Titos are both available. The trainee made our Gin Martini's, shaken and strained, with a few ice chips, and three olives, just the way I like it. (YMMV).
After reviewing the Happy Hour Food Choices and seeing some come to the bar, (The Wings and Fries looked good) we ordered a cheese plate for $11. A good assortment of 4 cheeses, fig jam, honey mustard, grapes, apples, crostini, and crackers. Could easily be shared by four.
There is active conversation across the bar as many seem to be regulars and engaged us in the discussion. I like that. We finished off Happy Hour with a glass of wine each. I had a Cabernet. It was better than box and 1.5 L El Cheapo. A fair deal for the $6 price. A nice generous pour.
The bar cleared as Happy Hour Ended (3:30-5:30) and we headed to our table. We had plenty of time to review the menu and already had the cheese plate, so we weren't planning appetizers, although several sounded appealing, including the octopus.
I ordered off the dinner special menu and got whole fried branzino served Thai style. A pretty darned good rendition. Fish was cooked nicely with an asian slaw, with just enough heat to draw a tear. I ate the whole thing. Sticky rice was, well sticky. Patty ordered the Paella, which came in a bowl and had a variety of well seasoned and cooked seafood, including mussels, shrimp, clams. It also had chicken and andouille. She barely touched it. I forget to mention the side dish of tempura style string bings, that we asked to have brought out early. Thinly encrusted, steaming hot, we devoured them before our entrees arrived. I'd order them as an appetizer next time.
We each got a glass of wine with dinner. I got Schild, Australian Zin. Nice and priced about right @ $13/glass. Patty had The Juggernaut, a wine she's familiar with, went well with her dinner.
Service was fine. Attentive but not intrusive. No long waits for anything. Paced about right. Right up until the check, no issues.
I did see a few giant cocktails go by that I asked about. A LI Iced Tea and some sort of rum punch. Caught my eye but not really my thing. I would like to try some of the house special cocktails that looked intriguing including the Smoked Old Fashioned.
I will return again. This was a test the waters meal.
Check with Taxes for dinner (not including happy hour) was $99 for two, including two glasses of wine and one side.
I can't really comment on noise level or crowd as this was early on a Tuesday. I'm sure its much different later in the week and later in the night.