Cherylynn N.
Yelp
You know shrinkflation be hitting HARD when the portions have gotten so smol, an ant can powerlift the pork belly off the table!
More on that later.
I've had Chalkboard bookmarked since they opened a decade ago so was excited to finally mark it off my list.
However, it seems I missed the boat because the food was incredibly disappointing (mixed recent reviews).
Chalkboard is open for dinner nightly and weekend brunch (hours are wrong on yelp). Takeout available. No delivery.
Dog-friendly back patio. When I called, I was told owners are encouraged to bring their dogs. =)
M E N U
New American Fare.
It seems the online menu hasn't been updated since last year (items I wanted to try weren't available). Here's the current menu: https://tinyurl.com/3m49ctau
D R I N K
* Fortaleza Blanco, on the rocks ($18 x2): https://tinyurl.com/5c4k3n55
My go-to drink but I was shocked they're charging $18 for a shot. Nearby restos charge a fraction of the cost; e.g. Lo & Behold ($12) and PizZando ($14).
F O O D
* Crudo of the Day: Hamachi, apple, radish, shallots, preserved lemon, tobiko ($20): https://tinyurl.com/bdfs9dze
The cuts of hamachi ranged from smol to normal. After trying one piece that was fishy, I didn't have another. The slaw was hella sour and sharp tasting...like apple cider vinegar. IMO, the slaw seems more apt to pair with a pork chop not delicate raw fish.
* Pork Belly Sliders: Arugula, half sour pickles, sriracha aioli (4 pc - $21): https://tinyurl.com/3jpm2z3k
I had initially bookmarked Chalkboard for this...
IDK whether to laugh or cry because look how smol the pork belly pieces are. It was literally the size of a lardon that an ant can powerlift. Not the chonky+thicccc cube sized pork belly in other pics (Christina L: https://tinyurl.com/4a2zhkp6 and Minh N: https://tinyurl.com/p63njj6f).
Biscuit was good tho - deliciously buttery, moist, and fluffy soft with crunchy golden top.
* Lamb Lollipops: Lamb chops, forbidden rice, lamb demi (4 pc - $24): https://tinyurl.com/28sjydas
--Requested medium rare
Good sear but the lamb chops varied in thickness so the thin cuts were well-done (I ate the smaller ones). The lamb demi was very salty and the forbidden rice had an odd perfume-y aftertaste.
* Porcini Gigli: Wild mushrooms, garlic cream, pecorino ($25): https://tinyurl.com/4st5bvbs
Loved by yelpers, this was the best dish of the night, tho just tasted ok. Ours looked different than other pics so maybe that's why? The pasta was al-dente but the garlic cream was bland and there way too much shredded pecorino. There was a large, undercooked porcini stem placed on top...did they forget to slice it?
* NY Strip Loin: Mashed potatoes, sauce chasseur, mushrooms ($36)
--Requested medium rare
First fire: Well done - https://tinyurl.com/5n8an7yb
Re-fire: Blue to rare but tough and chewy - https://tinyurl.com/42e47xww
The entire dish was drenched and sitting in a pool of sauce chasseur/hunter's sauce that legit tasted like balsamic vinegar. Too harsh and overpowering.
S E R V I C E
Kind FOH staff.
Drink + food service was slow for a quiet Monday night (nearly empty). It took 30 minutes just to get my first round of Fortaleza.
A M B I A N C E
Indoor dining area is fine-casual with rustic touches. Quaint patio with water fountain, well-spaced tables, and sunshades. 80s music jamming in the background.
P A R K I N G
Easy street parking.
Overall, IDK if we visited on a really...really...off night and/or if the BOH was training but the food completely missed the mark.
The worst part tho is wasting $200+ (post-tip) and having to go for pizza afterwards.