Michelle B
Google
While not my first time here, this was a first for my husband, best friend and her boyfriend. I was excited to share it with them!
We celebrated our anniversary today at an Ace's game and then a late dinner.
First, the amazing! The chefs here definitely put a lot of time, care and creativity into crafting their dishes - from small plates, sharables, main entrees, sides and desserts. This care is also given at the bar with their crafted alcohol and non-alcoholic cocktails/mocktails.
We started with drinks - the Old Fashion was a strong pour with its garnished flavors, a Lemon Drop and one of my favorite mocktails - a Mango Mojito, with a strong mix of fresh mango mash and other flavors I couldn't place but blended nicely into a pleasant drink. So, if you have drinkers and non-drinkers, you can still have a better than average - soda, tea and water experience.
We started with the Marinated Castelvetrano Olives. I'm not an olive fan but they were mixed with whole garlic that was delectable. Both were made with a morita chili and urfa pepper but there was no heat. The olive lovers were very happy with both the garlic and Olives.
Then we had tender scallops mixed with delicious shreds of Wagyu on a bed of fava beans, watercress and strawberries. I would never think to add strawberries but the combination was exquisite. And speaking of exquisite combinations, while I did not try these, my friend could not stop raving over how he could taste every flavor in the Brisket Barbacoa Tacos.
My bestie ordered the Parmesan Ricotta Gnocchi and it was clear upon arrival that you would not get gnocchi like this anywhere else. They were perfectly cooked, apparently homemade and dancing in the flavors of carrot top pesto (who knew!), English pea puree etc. I was given one incredible bite and I can't wait to order it for myself.
My husband and I got the Seared Flat Iron Steak and Pan Roasted Verlasso Salmon respectively. I have had both before but they were plated differently this time with a bit more pinache. The steak was tender and a fine cut. My salmon had a crisp coating of its own flavor with delicately cooked and a flaking middle, how salmon is supposed to be.
Add a side of their garlic mashed potatoes and then completed with an unexpected mousse? Tart? It was deliciously dense and rich, plated with a Raspberry puree, homemade whip and shaved chocolate. It was the perfect end to a perfect meal.
Add in a lovely, romantic atmosphere, with dim lights and comfortable seating and it was an almost perfect experience.
Our server was attentive, responsive and kept the table clean. He was the one who surprised us with the dessert.
The meh - the host was most likely new as we had a 9pm reservation but tried to say the restaurant closed at 9 not 10pm. We waited a bit longer than usual for food but nothing unreasonable as they spaced them out appropriately. However, that meant that we were still working on the dessert at 10pm when the overhead lights went on, the universal signal for "get out". We were done and ready to leave by 10 after so it would have been nice if they'd waited just 10 minutes past closing before the "reminder".
If you are looking for a nice romantic or even fine dinner with friends, The Shore should be high on your list. ❤️