Ron W.
Yelp
I'm a believer, having taken the last train to Clarksville (Yorba Linda). Who knew there was really good food there?
While the Wild Artichoke didn't exactly make me go wild, it was surprisingly satisfying to memorable.
Wedged into a neighborhood Mallette between Pilates and Pizza joints you will find an "L" shaped dining room lined with 2 and 4 tops.
The a Server/Hostee will be happy to greet and seat you even if you want to try three different tables like I did for a variety of lame reasons. Throughout dinner she was willing and proficient.
The atmosphere is utilitarian and practical rather than romantic. Good for a first date? Yup, if your Grandma is back on the circuit. This place began in 2,000 as a Trattoria with hanging plastic plants and has seen it all.
New owners have repurposed the resto's purpose on purpose. It's now Japanese with French accents and technique.
A Nat King Cole loop wafts dulcet tones in Grandma's direction. Call it a comfy spot with a loyal support group.
Blink and a plate of warm sliced bread appears with a misshapen quenelle of Compound Butter. The Bread is baked off site and re-heated on site out of sight. It's a Supermarket Loaf but it's still bread and works fine to keep your hunger at bay as well as a sop to mop up whatever you don't scrape off your plate.
Who's dining with you? The Blue Hairs and the Few Hairs. The Wild Artichoke attracts mild artzy folk too.
No matter, it's time to eat.
An order of Calamari Fritti will do nicely to start with. Crispy, Salty, Peppery, the little tubes and tentacles were breaded and fried with Ginger, Garlic, Jalapeno Coins, dashes of Togarashi and finished with Grated Parmesan Cheese and served with Lemon Pepper Aioli masquerading as Tartar Sauce. Was it good? Oh yeah, it was partially because Crunchy is America's favorite flavor and partially because this Calamari was tender, supple, yielding to the tooth yet maintaining it's crisp integrity. This was no Squid Game. It was a serious rendition. It is a treat you must eat.
A tangle of fried Rice Noodles underneath the Calamari was a welcome supporting cast member too.
The Wild Artichoke Salad was a melange of baby this and that. Hand harvested Mache, Speckled Lettuce, Sorrel, Mizuma, Chervil, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Artichoke, Shallot, Pea Tendrils, Tempura Daisy Crowns, Candied Walnut nuggets, Roasted Seaweed, with a small Carafe of Yuzu Infused Olive Oil. And while I couldn't ID any of the component parts it was a nice composed bowl of greenery. There were some lovely Baby Carrots, Baby White and Red Radishes.
The dressing was not as advertised. It was better and applied with a gentle touch. So, if it's Vegetables you want, try this.
The Duck Confit was fee (fit) for a King. I was on the fence until the little tubster in my head said "Oh, what the Duck". So, I plunged and ordered it.
This dish was simply perfect. A California King Bed of Pureed Potatoes sprinkled with Baby Vegetables set the stage.
The Duck Thigh and Leg was Crispy Brown without a whisper of fat. (Something for your Match.com profile). The Duck was meaty, tender, juicy, and crunchy all over. It is exactly what a Duck Confit should and could be and rarely is. Definitely order this and you will count yourself as a Lucky Ducky too.
The Soft Shell Crab Pasta (Zucchini Threads and Imitation Crab?). Hard to tell but notwithstanding the minor mystery (The Server was unsure), it was all good. A small Carafe of Rose Wine Coconut Milk Sauce for drizzling, Thai Basil for slight bitterness, and anything handy in the kitchen was settled into a deceptively deep warm bowl. A small Soft Shell Crab was off the side on top like a Beret raked at a jaunty angle. Filling and rich, it goes home to meet two fresh Farm Runny Eggs in the morning.
I am definitely down for a Duck re-do.
Call me a WAP (Wild Artichoke Patron).