Stephanie H.
Yelp
Wow, what a hidden gem tucked away in Kenmore! Our group was easily able to make a reservation for Friday night for a party of 8 within a week. We drove up to free valet parking and stepped into the modern, beautifully decorated, intimate space that is Cedar + Elm.
We were promptly seated, and while waiting for the rest of our party to arrive, ordered drinks and perused the menu. We shared a couple orders of the flatbread with the Danish butter and 'dirty dip,' which was like a balsamic vinaigrette. The bread was airy and had some sort of gooey cheese in the middle. The serving size was rather small for the price, two orders was basically enough for each person to have a couple bites, but we subsequently filled up with dinner and dessert.
I appreciated the relatively small menu that was pretty much limited to one option of each protein (fish, chicken, beef, pork) and a vegetarian option. Most of us had selected our entrees when our waitress Jillian (who was absolutely lovely) came by to tell us the specials, which included a crispy pork belly that captured the intrigue of nearly all the men at our table
I enjoyed the hearth-roasted sablefish with mushrooms and charred cabbage and savored every bite from beginning to end. The fish was flaky, moist, melted in the mouth, and contrasted in texture to the chew of the mushrooms. Salty, creamy, herby, citrusy - this dish had it all.
My husband devoured his crispy pork belly, which, to our surprise, was accompanied by some red grapes that sat in a citrusy Asian-inspired fish sauce. Never having encountered such a pairing before, we were pleasantly surprised to find the flavors harmonizing so well together!
For dessert, we had a chocolate tart with pistachio and a profiterole with ice cream (I want to say it was a brown butter or almond butter ice cream). Our friends also ordered the honey crème brûlée. We passed around our desserts so everyone could try each, but the favorite among the table was the profiterole. It was "not too sweet," but also had elements of surprise, like bits of sour mango and cherry gelée.
Days after our dinner, my friends and I are still raving about our dining experience at Cedar + Elm. We were able to enjoy our meal and each other's company at leisure, without ever once feeling rushed to leave. Wonderful ambiance, very attentive, kind, and delightful service, and delicious food presented beautifully and thoughtfully. It's rare to find such a high quality dining experience without having to drive into the city, and even then, the quality of the service is often lacking. We will definitely be returning to try the restaurant's other offerings. Thank you for a memorable meal!