Roger K.
Yelp
There is very little to find fault with on our recent visit to Seneca. The atmosphere is pleasant, our reserved table was ready, the food was tasty, creative, and well prepared, the service was welcoming and friendly, and the restrooms were clean.
So, what were the "little faults" referenced above? The noise level is on the higher side, the tables seem small for the number of patrons seated at them whether that be two or six, and servers shouldn't serve a drink or dish on top of a napkin left on the table while the customer is away from the table. But none of those faults will prevent us from returning.
My wife tried their Pretzel Cinnamon Manhattan ($18) - cinnamon infused vermouth, rye, cinnamon and orange bitters, pretzels, and a cinnamon and sugar rim. It was delicious! Had I ordered one it would have been downed in nothing flat. But I chose to have a draft Märzen Oktoberfest ($9) from Chatham Brewing. Nice flavors and crisp.
We both eyed something different on the appetizers menu that we wanted to try. She ordered the Coal-roasted Beets ($15) - pistachio butter, black garlic vinaigrette, burrata, fried kale chips, and Chile sea salt. Once again, I could have been happy with this dish also since it tasted so good. Especially the contrasting texture of those fried kale chips.
My app choice, however, was the Lamb Meatballs ($16) - ground lamb shoulder, harissa tomato sauce, roasted garlic tzatziki, olive and caper tapenade, and parsley. Truly flavorful with no gaminess, the harissa sauce was especially delicious.
Moving on to our entrees, my wife was ready for a glass of Trefethen Chardonnay ($17) which matched perfectly with her Shrimp & Grits ($32). Happily, the kitchen removed the shrimp tails before adding them to the smoked gouda grits, house-smoked bacon, chorizo butter, zucchini and corn chow chow, and fried leeks. Very tasty and magnificent flavors.
I thoroughly enjoyed the wood-fired 12oz Pork Chop ($39). The Chef's recommendation was for medium-rare, and I said I'd like whatever was the Chef's willingness to cook as rare as possible. It was served the most beautiful, tender, and juicy pink I've ever received in a restaurant. Along with the sourdough Spätzle, tri-color carrots, and plum wine mustard gravy, my tastebuds were in absolute awe!
Both of us chose to take a portion of our entrees home so that we could explore the kitchen's offering of dessert. We decided to share the Sticky Toffee Pudding ($14) along with a large French press coffee ($12). The pudding was another hit with its spiced date cake, caramel sauce, vanilla ice cream, and toffee bits. The medium roasted coffee was very good and the perfect ending to our celebratory dinner.
Next trip we try the Parker House Rolls.