Gordon Y.
Yelp
Cuisine: 8
Service: 8
Decor: 9
Value: 6
Overall: 8
Dark, moody, classy, would be some words to describe this assuming restaurant from the outside. We walked by one day and the host walked out to invite us inside for a tour. With the blackout windows, you really can't see how nice it is inside.
The restaurant is broken up into sections with racks and racks of mesquite wood, which the chef use to cook practically everything. That aspect alone attracted us to come back on a different night and dine here. The hostess recognized us and greeted us warmly, as well as checked on us a few times during the meal. Our server was pretty decent, but at times a little absent.
As for food, we order the Leek to start, which came with such a cool presentation. A completely black charred stalk of leek was split open in the middle and used like a vessel for the chocolate clam gnocchi, along with bright orange color of salmon eggs and flying fish roe. Then the server cuts open to reveal the beautiful layers of leeks and pours a clam chowder into it as sauce. Creamy leek is a time tested formula. The chef found a new way to make it exciting. The taste was thankfully an equal match to the visuals.
The other appetizer we ordered was the Vegetal Charcoal, which honestly looked like wood charcoal briquettes. Once you cut open into the super crispy exterior, you will find a melty petal of onion and an oozing creamy habanero sauce. Like many reviewers have said, maybe the best onion ring I have ever had. It's certainly the most interesting looking.
Our entrees were a little less impressive tbh. Still excellent, but I was hoping for more creativity, though it was probably too much to ask for. With that said, the Sweetbreads and Beef Tongue were both very tender. I would have liked more flavor on the Sweetbread and less sauce on the Beef Tongue. I'm nitpicking here because the appetizers were so unbelievably awesome.
Sadly, we were not too hungry that night. Otherwise, I would have ordered the highly praised Beef Short Rib or possibly the T-Rex. Guess I'll have to come back to try. Btw, prices are a bit high, but acceptable if you're a tourist. Probably won't stop me either.