Zi Hang L.
Yelp
I came here last weekend with a couple of coworkers after hearing some solid recommendations about this place. It wasn't super crowded when we arrived, though we'd made a reservation just to be safe. The ambiance is cozy and slightly upscale without being stuffy -- dim lighting, rustic wood tables, and a soft playlist of old-school jazz playing in the background. I liked the vibe immediately.
We decided to start with a few appetizers to share because, honestly, everything on the menu sounded tempting. We ordered the tempura green beans, hot dog burnt ends, and spicy Korean-style wings. The tempura green beans were hands down my favorite out of the apps. Lightly battered, crispy without being greasy, and perfectly seasoned. They came with a creamy dipping sauce that added a little tangy kick. The hot dog burnt ends, on the other hand, were... interesting. I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered them, and I still don't know how I feel about them. They were smoky and drenched in this thick, sweet BBQ sauce that was actually pretty good, but the texture threw me off a little. Not bad, just... unexpected. The Korean wings, however, were incredible. Perfectly crispy skin, sticky spicy-sweet glaze, with a touch of heat that lingered just enough to make you want another bite.
For our main courses, we went all out and shared a few different plates so we could each try a little bit of everything. We got the beet salad, braised short rib, New York strip, truffle mac 'n cheese, and wild mushroom risotto. The beet salad was so fresh -- roasted beets with arugula, goat cheese, candied pecans, and a bright vinaigrette that was both tart and subtly sweet. It was a perfect palate cleanser before digging into the richer dishes.
The short rib was fall-off-the-bone tender, sitting on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with this insanely flavorful red wine reduction. Every bite melted in my mouth. The New York strip was cooked medium rare, exactly how I like it, with a perfect sear on the outside. It came with roasted garlic cloves and a side of house-made steak sauce that, honestly, wasn't even necessary because the meat was so flavorful on its own.
Now, the truffle mac 'n cheese deserves its own paragraph. It was unbelievably creamy, the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes for a second after the first bite. The truffle wasn't overpowering, just a subtle earthy note that paired beautifully with the gooey cheese sauce and perfectly cooked pasta. I wish I didn't have to share it, if I'm being honest.
The wild mushroom risotto was equally outstanding. Rich, savory, with perfectly cooked rice that was neither too soft nor too firm. It had a hint of white wine and was finished with a generous grating of Parmesan on top. It was one of those dishes where you think you're full but you keep going back for another spoonful.
And then came dessert. We were already pretty stuffed but had been told not to skip dessert here, and I'm so glad we listened. We got the doughnut bread pudding and the brownie with bacon ice cream. The bread pudding was warm, soft, and custardy with little crispy edges -- topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that slowly melted into the nooks of the pudding. Absolute heaven. The brownie was thick, rich, and fudgey, served warm with a generous scoop of smoky bacon-infused ice cream. I was skeptical about the bacon ice cream at first, but it actually balanced out the sweetness of the brownie and gave it a really interesting savory note. Easily one of the most memorable desserts I've had in a long time.
Service throughout the evening was phenomenal. Our server was friendly, patient, and gave really thoughtful recommendations without being pushy. Drinks were refilled promptly, plates cleared at the right moments, and dessert arrived just when we thought we couldn't eat another bite but somehow found room.
All in all, this was an outstanding dining experience from start to finish. Great food, excellent service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. I'll definitely be coming back and probably ordering that mac 'n cheese all to myself next time. Highly recommend this spot if you're in the area -- easily a 10/10 experience