Michael D.
Yelp
Obligatory, "I signed up for Yelp just to write this review", blah blah blah.
I often find it difficult to unearth that experience, that unforgettable tidbit, that je ne sais quoi if you will, that leaves you thinking about a place days after. In this current landscape of overdressed and oversaturated plates, Pastel is that place. Offering soft and playful pastel coloured decor on warm brick, this gem invites you for an experience from the moment you enter.
The staff is what truly breathes life into this already fun and unmistakably memorable place, from the front of the house to 'back' of the house as the kitchen is open and central; you are made to feel like your fine dining experience is the focal point. The phrase fine dining is used freely here as owner and matri d, Kabir, was as charming and hospitable as he was knowledgeable.
Pastel offers a 9-course tasting with an additional wine pairing that my significant other did opt in for. Each dish is equally distinct in flavour, presentation and execution. Pastel has this triple threat down to a science. Note how I left out the word menu above, as Pastel does not offer a menu. Instead, they promptly ask if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. In the case of my significant other, as she is not a fan of mushrooms, they were very accommodating in making the appropriately delicious substitution.
Our amuse was a parsnip cracker delicately filled with a velvety mousillen of chicken liver and nori dust. Sublime and innovative. Next up was an endive salad with segments of caracara and blood orange, a quenelle of chestnut chutney dressed in a bright, in both colour and flavour, red and white cranberry vinaigrette. Course three consisted of a melt in your mouth Otoro and Chutoro blue fin tuna tartar in a coconut crema. Following this was a ballotine of quail, served with a sinfully smooth puree pomme de terre all delicately dressed tableside with a demi-glace. Next, an in-house made egg noodle spaghetti fervently tossed in perfect view from our table in a cacio e pepe style sauce with a vibrantly green spinach and parsley pesto drizzled on top. Other noteworthy dishes include a perfectly seared, 18 days aged sirloin stuffed with the rib meat and accompanied by sauteed chanterelles (braised artichoke for my partner) and delicately shaved morsels of Umbria black truffle. As well as, a pillowy soft bass with crisped skin, accompanied with white beans in a light bur blanc sauce.
From start to finish this meal was superb, every dish was an episodic experience in the overarching grandeur that is Pastel.
Merci Pastel et all.