Alison C.
Yelp
I had been to Dear Maud so many times over the last few years - for drinks, dinner, brunch...you name it. Over that time I had become attached to my favorite dishes (Greens and Grains bowl, Fried Chicken Bao Buns, etc.), which always managed to stay on their menu, despite any minor seasonal adjustments. However, I recently discovered that the restaurant had hired a new chef and that the menu had changed. I quickly went to the website to look for my mainstays, only to find that they had been removed. I was so bummed!
I already had a dinner plans on the calendar for a date after the major shift, and I tried to be cautiously optimistic about the new program. I was meeting a friend, who was visiting from out of the area, so she was less downtrodden about the new menu than I was. Thankfully, the vibe, staff, and creative beverage menu were still the same. It happened to be a Tuesday evening, which meant that wine bottles were half-off. My companion suggested that we order the 2021 Monrosso Tuscan Red Blend, which was dry, but well-balanced and fruity. I really enjoyed it, and it was a change from the cocktails I typically opted for at Maud's.
In terms of the food, we started by sharing the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, one of their renowned dishes that had made the cut to remain on the menu. I had always wanted to try the hyped appetizer, but was sadly disappointed. The 4 rice patties were fine, but the tuna, while tasting mild, did not seem very fresh. When the fish should have been a bright pink, it was closer to gray in color. The spicy mayo also did not pack much of a kick. The toppings of pickled red onions and chives did provide some nuance, though.
My friend enjoyed her Short Rib Fried Rice, while I opted for the Teriyaki Bowl. The generous portion included quinoa, 2 skewers of teriyaki chicken, mango pico de gallo, and sliced avocado. It was an odd blend of Asian and Mexican flavors, but it worked! Each of the skewers included 3 large chunks of tender, juicy white meat chicken that had been coated in a sticky, sweet marinade. I really enjoyed the dish, but found the teriyaki sauce very salty.
Dear Maud will always hold a place in my heart, and I will continue to frequent the trendy spot, but I might need to find a new "go-to" dish.