Paris F.
Yelp
Unlike my other yelp reviews, I had to sit and think about the experience at the restaurant. The service is superb. He sat us at a table and of course the tables with the view were taken. Shortly after two tables by the view left, the server offered us the corner booth table with the view. He was very attentive and had a very kind approach to our needs. We ended up staying over 2 hours and probably past closing time as we were the last party at the restaurant, not once there were any passive nor aggressive gestures of rushing us to leave. The ambiance of the restaurant is quite intimate. About 6 tables and a corner bar for seating. So now the food: We had Tuna Tartare, I expect tartar to be little more minced than diced. It had a twist of a fresh strawberry with the tartar. I do not like any type of sweet in my food such as raisen with cous cous or pineapple on pizza, but in this case, the strawberry was not overpowering, but yet it gave a nice little refreshing afterward taste. Tempura Neah Bay Black Cod Risotto - I think it sounded amazing and it tasted good as well. The tempura in my head would have some crisp texture with softer bite inside. Black Cod tempura batter was little bit disappointing as my expectation was little different. Risotto was excellent, but should have never exceeded the main black cod on top as far as the taste goes. It does go well when you eat the cod and risotto together. I tried eating separately and tried eating together. Also, black cod being a wonderful fatty meat, I would have never fried it as the cod meat is delicious as itself without a layer of frying batter. Last, Ribeye with Italian Summer Truffle - Ribeye was cooked raw just like French would have it. They do not ask how you want the meat done, they want you to taste the meat. The ribeye sat on the hashed brown potato cake, just like John Howie. It was cooked perfectly and beautiful presentation. John Howie was terrible, but I think I was hoping for something more creative and eclectic as I hoped it was Japanese French. It could have been scalloped gratinee potatoes or something that is eccentric. Now, the most amazing part about the dish was the sauce. The sauce is actually the most difficult to make as it should be a beautiful support for any dish and it was. The sauce was not overpowering, and it sat on the side for you as a support to bring out the best of the meat taste and the fresh vegetables. Also, perfect sauce portion. One thing I did appreciate was that this restaurant does not use salt as the main ingredient and it stages the food resource as a main focus. So I can taste the meat, potatoes, vegetables and if I needed to dip a sauce on the side to enhance the taste, it was there. I think I give four stars because the chef has something special going, but something is holding back from exceeding that one and only feel. Anyhow, I will definitely come back again - very good restaurant overall.