Sanchita Ochani
Google
Beautiful décor and ambiance - the space really stands out, and getting a reservation wasn't too difficult. The music also added to the charm, with a woman walking around playing live tunes that gave the evening a nice touch.
Service started off attentive, almost too much, since the place wasn't packed yet and our server kept coming over before we'd even decided on food. But once it got busier, it became much harder to get his attention.
Our server recommended 3-4 appetizers and a main each between the two of us, and that sounded excessive to me to begin with, but we still ended up ordering a handful of appetizers since we weren't sure of the portion sizes. They also do require you to place the order together and they will space out when you bring out the dishes. I would have personally preferred to just stop at the appetizers since it ended up being quite a lot.
Coming to the actual food, we got the hummus, wagyu kafta, chicken skewers, and butterfish.
The butterfish was the highlight despite the below average presentation - soft, delicate, and beautifully glazed with honey and miso. It melted away in my mouth, truly an outstanding fish. The chicken skewers were flavorful and well-cooked, and the wagyu kafta was decent but not a favorite. The hummus was the biggest miss - I expected more. It was creamy but didn't hit the right spot.
For mains, thankfully we only ordered the lobster arrabbiata and decided to share. I liked that the lobster was easy to eat (no claw cracking needed), and the pasta itself was good. But the lobster's texture wasn't great and became chewy as it cooled, which took away from the dish. We ended up not finishing it and it definitely wasn't going to travel well so it kinda sucks that we wasted a pretty expensive entree.
Overall, service was fine, the vibe was lovely, and the ambiance is top-notch. And while I don't mind paying a premium at a fine dining spot, the food here just didn't deliver to that level. For the prices, I expected more consistency and refinement.