Ron W.
Yelp
I could eat the view, but once your breath returns, and you realize that that really is Mt. Fuji in the distance, you'll notice the restaurant is all heavy beams and ceiling to floor glass anchored by a massive copper fireplace in the middle of the round room.
There is a long bar with high tops to look over the tops of heads at the astonishing view.
If Jay Gatsby wanted to open an upscale seaside exclusive restaurant this would be the model.
The place is rustic subdued understated elegance on steroids.
The Vibe: Who goes there? The rich, richer, richest and a few less fortunate sons. I expected to remain just a nose pressed against the window like a pound puppy but I booked a nappy hour table.
The Staff: Falling over each other being helpful. Thomas Keller grade top professionals used to working the swells while they watch the swells roll into the beach below.
The Bar Program: As good as any top New York drink depot. A Dark and Stormy Night was perfect for a dark and stormy day or better for a Donald and Stormy stay at the attached Inn.
There are pages of signature cocktails and a wine list that equals War and Peace in length and is a better read. It is so big it has a two page Table of Contents which should make any malcontent content. One sip of a Honeysucculent Sour with Irish Mist, Peach Brandy, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Egg White made me stop being contentious.
Cocktails are offered based on the preferred alcohol base which makes it easier for base alcoholics.
The Food: Is it appropriate to use the words "orgy and eating" in the same sentence? Yes, there is a tasting menu which looked daunting so I ordered ala carte which was more food than on the set menu.
The Amuse Bouche truly amused my bouche. Pureed Edamame, Popped Quinoa, Puffed Rice Crisp with an IV drip of Scallion Oil. This was the perfect party dip...if you're having Gates, Buffet, Zuckerberg and Cuban over for cocktails and nibbles.
The Brined Grilled Oysters with Kohlrabi Kraut, Raw Cheddar Sabayon, Toasted Rye Crumb, Grilled Scallion Oil showcased Marina Top Drawer Oysters with a full kit. (Scallion Mignonette, grated Horseradish, and Lemon). I would've been happy with some Top Drawers, sea water and Oyster liquor or any liquor for that matter. Marina's Tops downed in a hurry leaving only her drawers. It was as if Swan Oyster Depot hooked up with Acme Oyster House. Everyone got lucky.
The Smoked Sturgeon came in a fetal curl nestled on Pumpkin Cream, Dill, Brunoise Poached Apple, with a mini Bagel and Fried Onion Rings. This dish was a whole bag of tricks, tastes, and textures. Add on a dollop of Sturgeon Cavier and be all the baller you can be.
The Truffled Stuffed Chicken Breast with Roasted Onion, Leeks, a meadow of Mushrooms, and Stuffing (coins of the best thing about Thanksgiving besides not sitting next to your weirdo cousin) all buried in Veloute (Chicken Cream Sauce that did not drool out of a Campbell's can.)
I'm often chicken to order the chicken (unless it's fried which makes me genuflect at the mere mention of that argument for God's existence.) But this chicken was cluckin' at me and not with me so I took a chance. It channeled Chicken Kiev, Cordon Bleu, Involtini, and made me glad I didn't chicken out.
The Sable Fish was smoked and seared and I feared just a Cod Brandade but no, they were separate components, along with Celeriac Puree, Micro Potato Chips, Hemlock and Cynamooka Berry Sauce. This was created from the local bounty of Nature and looked like the box of a Paint-By-Number set.
The fitting dessert for such a feast? Feast your eyes. There's a list as long as a Seal Flipper. I had a Bourbon Pecan Tart with a Pecan Sable (cookie) and house made Vanilla Ice Cream. Brilliant.
A laundry list of Canadian Cheese to please is also available at your whim, all with house baked Breads, Crackers, a fancy Trail Mix, Honeycomb, an Apple Fan, and Berry Jelly.
I had to have the Avonlea Cheddar which was rare and raw. A Fromage Cru slightly P. U. a bit grainy with a definite cheesy finish. Don't we all know someone who fits that description?
The Ashley Goat was as funky as a gym sock and twice as tasty. "What are those little craters and what makes this so devilishly good?" I asked the server. "The Ash Holes that made it." Don't we all know someone who fits that description?
When you can barely breathe, out comes the Chocolate Truffles, Cassis Jellies and the check which tops your breathing or gets it going quicker.
The Pointe gets the point. So, go ahead, get to The Pointe.