Kevin R.
Google
The evening began with a languid whisper of service slow enough to test one’s patience, yet not quite slow enough to condemn. Once the drinks arrived, however, the experience unfolded with a smoother cadence, as if the staff had finally found their rhythm.
The Sugar Plum Fairy cocktail was a surprising delight, an opulent swirl of coconut essence and gentle sweetness that danced across the palate with almost whimsical grace. Its counterpart, Mrs. Claus, strutted in with considerably less charm: bold and sour, assertive to the point of imbalance, like a festive spirit who has overstayed her welcome.
The Caesar salad was splendid, a commendable study in harmony where each component played its part with conviction. The bread that accompanied it was a curiosity, an unfamiliar breed, the likes of which I had never encountered gracing a restaurant’s opening act.
The calamari proved to be the evening’s most intriguing surprise. With a lime-forward profile that felt almost rebellious, it delivered an unexpected but strangely satisfying experience unlike anything one might anticipate, yet undeniably delicious. Maybe a little more salt ?
The tragedy, however, emerged with the 13-oz ribeye steak, ordered medium rare, as all respectable ribeyes should be. What should have been the star of the performance instead delivered a tale of two steaks. Some bites were the very definition of indulgence: juicy, flavorful, and rich. Others, sadly, were flavorless stretches burdened with excessive fat and tendon, proving that even the mighty ribeye is not immune to inconsistency.
The mashed potatoes were the true disappointment of the evening. Flavorless, texturally uninspired, and at times reminiscent of mere boiled potatoes, this is an unforgivable misstep for such a classic staple. Fortunately, the squash redeemed the plate with its pleasing flavor and satisfying execution.
In the end, the experience can be described as pleasant, though not without its misadventures. There is promise here enough to warrant a return, though perhaps with a wiser selection of entrées.
A recommendation? Yes, but with the gentle warning to explore beyond the ribeye and discover what else the kitchen may do better justice to.
