Lam B.
Yelp
Yes there's a dress code. Refer to the website for more details. A pricier date experience with impeccable service and ambiance but hit or miss food.
We made a reservation a week prior and they were packed the entire night. They had complimentary valet parking but we opted for the spacious and free street parking out front. We checked in at the front table and waited a few minutes before being seated. The tables were set close together so everything felt close and intimate. Add the subtle, yellow lighting and candles and the whole experience was very romantic. Those with purses could use a table rack and we got to choose between dark or light linen. Sparkling or iced water infused with mint and cucumber were offered.
=FOOD=
There were four courses offered in the set meal, not including dessert. We got to decide from two dishes each course, while the fourth entree had multiple meat and seafood options. As a party of 2, our server recommended picking both dishes and sharing everything to get a variety.
*Shrimp Tostada: a complimentary sampler from the chef. Although it was an excellent choice as a light starter, I preferred the robust flavors from tostadas back from San Diego. Personally I would have chosen a brighter, acidic sauce as opposed to the chipotle crema to improve this dish. The cucumber, tomato, and onion were warm which took away from the refreshing aspect of tostadas.
*Watermelon Gazpacho: my favorite dish of the night, being incredibly vibrant and robust with flavors and temperature. The watermelon hemispheres were sweet which complimented the herby gazpacho. The big eye tuna was mild and fatty without the usual fishiness. Personally I couldn't taste the shallot jam but that would have rounded the dish with some viscosity and saltiness.
*Tomato Pannacotta: heavily skewed towards the goat cheese component. The tomato had almost a hardened jello texture and had hints of basil. The crab was nonexistent and overall, a peculiar appetizer.
*Peaches & Cream: a square of pork belly paired with honey semifreddo, arugula and blue cheese. The slices of peaches were slightly charred yet served cold. The dribble of peach sauce was my favorite element, with the mild fruitiness going well with the tender pork belly. The salad was underwhelming and would have benefitted from a nuttier or herbier dressing as the pistachio contributed little.
*King Salmon Crudo: had plenty of potential as I love apples with salmon but the dish was overwhelmed by the amount of sherry and evoo. I would have enjoyed the salmon's natural oiliness but it was swimming in oil. The membrillo offered acidity but the other toppings of puffed rice and feulletine had minimal flavor. Since the textures were very soft overall, the apple slices being served cold would have given the dish some much needed contrast and crunch.
*Scallop: singular scallop with pearl onion, squash purée, hollandaise and nori dust. The simplest and smallest dish. The scallop itself was cooked nicely with a great sear. The squash was sweet and creamy but the holladaise wasn't memorable. Wished there was an extra component to make this dish shine as nori dust has minimal flavor in small quantities. As opposed to nori, an umami crisp would have been a better alternative.
*Lamb Shoulder: wasn't incredibly tender and the lamb was gamey. The pistou and squash were my favorites as it cut through the meatiness of the lamb. The fried merguez and cheese was disappointingly soggy.
*Maple Leaf Farms Duck Breast: came with rapini, parsnips and pearl onions. The mentioned amarena cherry wine jus was delicious and sweet, but there was very little sauce in comparison to the duck. The duck was juicy, tender and perfectly cooked but the crust was too salty. Perhaps some addition jus and rapini would have offset the duck but I found myself quite thirsty after the meal.
*Monarch: the raspberries weren't prominent as the mint and gin. Was very fragrant and strong, although I wouldn't compare it to being Tiki inspired as the description mentioned.
*Sebastian: my preferred cocktail as it was fruity and refreshing. The vanilla wasn't apparent but the passionfruit was.
Definitely not a weekly spot to visit but a pleasant date night for special occasions. Always felt welcomed and taken care of so the service element was memorable. As for the food, some dishes were better than others but I felt content with the price we paid for given the originality and creativity. Left full and a bit poorer, but the memories were worthwhile.