David A.
Yelp
Anhelo is incredible! They feature a three course meal with a handful of amazing choices and varying prices based on your main course selection. They also offer an à la carte menu, which helped me immensely because I could not decide on which appetizer I wanted, and I ended up ordering two.
My incredible dining experience started off with a Foie Gras Torchon, topped with a papaya, pistachio and pomegranate relish that was to die for! Chef Ivan Jacobo taps into his familia heritage and has carefully and lovingly created one of the finest Torchons I've ever had, which is significant, as I've tasted hundreds over the years from incredible chefs around the world. The Foie Gras is almost pure and each morsel melts delightfully in your mouth! Hands down one of the best things I've put in my mouth in years!
I also ordered a wine pairing with each course and each one was perfect. Chef has an exceptional taste for wine and I happily did not recognize one winery from those I indulged in and enjoyed. I took pictures of a few bottles so I could find them in the future, but won't post them here, as I don't want to raise the market prices for my future purchases. Choose the wine pairings, you can't go wrong!
My added appetizer was the Steak Tartare. It was incredible and unlike any Tartare I've ever had before! Sparingly served on a single but significant homemade Brioche toast point, each bite was eaten slowly and savored. The steak was a combination of beautifully trimmed prime rib and other cuts with a slight blend of salt and pepper. While traditionally served with mustard, capers and eggs, Chef made his own version with pecorino, lemon and a special cured egg yolk. Definitely not your parent's steak tartare. Do not miss this mind blowing dish!
My "real" second course was the Agnolotti. The delicious pasta is stuffed with mascarpone and topped with hand-shaved crispy prosciutto and served with a black pepper butter sauce, and what tasted like baby English peas (and they were great).
I chose the Aged Sonoma Valley Duck for my Entree and I am so pleased that I did! After so many fantastic revelations, what is one more?!? Chef rolls the dice with an incredible lavender and coriander crust with a honey glaze, and he has a big winner here! Served with a delicious carrot purée and micro carrots, this dish was cooked and prepared perfectly. The outer edges had a slight sear, and the interior was warm, juicy, and mouth watering. Carefully and professionally presented, I felt like I was eating a masterpiece.
Although I was completely stuffed, I could not resist ordering their new dessert, a deconstructed cheesecake. While that is the description that was provided to me, I don't want to under sell this. Served with a berry gelato-like ice cream, this dessert is a keeper.
Chef makes his own fresh brioche daily and this was served upon arrival. The staff is very friendly, well educated and professional, and went out of their way to make my dining experience exceptional from my first interaction (asking if I'd prefer a black linen over the white- which I did) to my last (a coordinated exit that was personal and professional).
If you want a fine dining experience that is way more than a meal, make Anhelo your choice!