Ann W.
Yelp
When I first heard of this place, I thought it was a bar that sold food as a by-product of complementing the wine. Consequently, this place never made it onto my must-try places, especially with the constant construction traffic between me and this restaurant.
Cooper's Hawk does focus on its wine, but that is just half the story. When you walk into the location, you will see a large area devoted to learning about and tasting the wine. I have to say that I love the organization of wine bottles. So neat. Farther in however, there are several dining areas, including an outdoor area.
I had previously checked-out the menu online and was surprised by the variety of offerings. There was a ton of choice, especially for appetizers, which makes sense given that the focus is on wine. I selected the egg rolls, filled with chicken, corn, and tomatillo salsa, for a taste of the southwest. It was served with a peanut-flavored coleslaw and three sauces: tomatillo, ranch and cashew. The latter was my favorite. The other interesting items that I would return for include the lettuce wraps, Brussels sprouts (of course), and shrimp. I also enjoyed the complimentary, large pretzel roll with delicious butter while waiting for the rest of my meal.
There was also a lot of choice for the main course. I considered the short rib risotto, the pork chops, or the enchiladas. The enchiladas sounded different (which is always good, in my book). Instead, I had the pistachio-encrusted grouper. I had expected more texture in the coating; it was tasty nonetheless. The entrée was paired with creamy mashed potatoes and asparagus spears.
As for dessert, there was no question that I would have the Banoffee Pie. Yes, both the budino and chocolate cake sounded amazing but does not come close to the appeal of a pie featuring the flavors of banana and toffee.
Service was fantastic. My server was professional and personable. She gave me a lot of advice when asked, based on her experience.
I am thrilled that a Cooper's Hawk will be opening near my home, hopefully soon!