Samuel A.
Google
CONTEXT
- Tourists
- Anniversary
- Wife with gluten and dairy sensitivities
- Palates that tend to favor bold flavors
- We spent 4 hours hiking John Rock at Pisgah National Forest earlier in the day, so we arrived hungry.
- Orders: cheddar biscuits (starter); lobster gnocchi (husband’s entrée); short ribs (wife’s entrée)
PROS
- Seated promptly for our reservation (despite arriving 10-15 minutes early and not prompting staff to seat us promptly).
- Extremely thoughtful staff — congratulatory card, wine, appetizer, and dessert (definitely the most any restaurant has ever celebrated us, which was so kind of Posana to do)
- Plentiful gluten-free options for my wife
- Filtered water (probably not fluoride-free, though)
- Atmosphere was nice but not pretentious
- Cheddar biscuits were stellar — warm, great crust, and soft inside.
CONS
- Although our experience started well, something seemed to rattle multiple members of the staff during our visit, which seemed to throw off entrée delivery timing and noticeably shift the vibe (our waiter’s focus seemed to shift elsewhere).
- Entrées were technically correct but unremarkable in taste, so some experimentation with flavor or even some cracked pepper on the table would be nice. Short ribs had better flavor than the gnocchi — but also gristle, which we didn’t love, and really shouldn’t be part of a fine dining experience.
- Portions were light for the price point. Even with the complimentary extras, I left somewhat hungry — but, in fairness, that probably speaks more to the gnocchi order than Posana’s menu at-large, as well as my high activity levels earlier in the day.
BOTTOM LINE
- Google doesn’t allow for half-stars but Posana earned closer to a 4.5 in our book, largely driven by how we were welcomed overall, as well as the accommodation for the gluten-free crowd. We both noticed in particular one waiter, who — despite not being our main waiter (and possibly training others, judging from the fact that others seemed to be shadowing him) — seemed especially warm and present, presenting us with a bite from the kitchen and a dessert before we left.
- I’d recommend Posana’s atmosphere and elevated American fare to someone celebrating a very special occasion as you’ll feel seen by the staff if you make the occasion known. Otherwise, the salads looked awesome on our way out, so for something more casual I’d recommend 2 salads, cheddar biscuits, and drinks.
- Free off-street parking is available after 6 PM. However, if you happen to end dinner when it’s dark, prepare for vagrants waiting expectantly outside of Posana.