Thomas C.
Yelp
The Culinary Adventures of Tom Coghlan, FB ·
I went out for diner last Sunday... I went to a restaurant that I am very fond of... The Caribou Café, 1125 Walnut St. I have been here many times and always had a wonderful adventure ! I even ordered from Door Dash because of COVID! I am a big fan of Olivier Desaintmartin, Chef and Owner of Caribou Café, and formerly, The Zinc Bar., and had the pleasure of meeting him as I sat next to him at Cry Baby Pasta and Wine Bar and was introduced by my friend, Bernadette Foy. Chef Olivier attended the Hotel School in Paris, and has studied under world renowned chefs Michel Guerard, Jacques Chibois, Gaston Lenôtre and Le Coze. He is also a Champion on The Food Network's "Chopped." The Chefs' menu is inspired by the everyday cuisine and comfort foods of his home region of Champagne , France. I entered the restaurant solo and was seated at a small table adjacent to the bar which, due to COVID, was not in use... I met my two servers Corey and Eleanor. I first surveyed the Cocktail Menu. I ordered The Van Gogh (of course), Lillet Rose, Gin, Absinth, Lemon. I sipped my cocktail as I looked at the menu It was very nice... I already knew before I sat down that I was getting the Escargot in a Puff pastry. I've had it several times and look forward to it whenever I have the chance... When the snails arrived, they were different... They weren't in a puff pastry, but served with what I would consider a hollowed out biscuit type pastry that was stuffed with Tomato, Cream, Parsley, Garlic and Butter... and then the Snails in their Buttery Garlic Cream Sauce... I asked why they were different and was told that the Chef likes "to mix it up" occasionally... I was not disappointed at all ! It was exhilarating, exciting... and very satisfying. I cut them into many small bites and savored them for as long as I could, while sipping my cocktail...After ordering The Grilled Octopus Salad, White Beans, Onions, Arugula, Parsley , Lemon and Olive Oil Dressing, (Without the White Beans for me) I asked Corey If he could Recommend a wine...Jean-Luc Colombo, Cotes du Rhone is what I had. The Octopus was grilled to perfection and while its flavor dominated the salad it was accompanied well by The Arugula and Lemon Olive Oil Dressing... And the Wine was perfect ! I then ordered Pork Loin Farci, Herb Sauce, Stuffed Pork Loin, Spinach and Boursin Cheese. Mashed Potatoes...AMAZING ! There was plenty of cheese and spinach to accompany every bite of The Slow Roasted Pork Loin I used to wipe up the Mashed Potatoes with (eyes rolling in head) And again, the Wine was perfect ! For dessert I had Cappuccino Cheese Cake with Cappuccino and Sambuca ! Another great adventure that I owe to both Corey and Eleanor for their excellent service and sharing with me their knowledge of the menus ! http://www.cariboucafe.com/