Doug B.
Yelp
I would both return and recommend. Just a few opportunities to improve the experience.
We arrived on time for our 630 yelp reservation on a Tues eve. When you enter, there is an adobe pony wall that gives you the impression someone should greet/seat you there. That's not the case. We wandered around without acknowledgement until we finally asked a server near the kitchen about where to check in. In my opinion, this was the only flaw in the evening. I suggest just putting a sign on that wall that says "welcome, please seat yourself. Bar in the front, restaurant in the back."
After the initial confusion, our server, Austin, was very attentive. I ordered the grilled salmon and my date had the calamari fettuccine. Both were delicious and properly-sized portions. We shared the apple pie for dessert, which was huge - about 1/4 of a pie!
After dinner we retired into the piano bar where Esther was playing as a sub for Doug Montgomery. She was awesome. Knew nearly every song from memory and made lively banter with her audience. The server in the bar was not only hustling, he was a talented singer who joined Esther for a beautiful rendition of "Time to say Goodbye." Esther played "The Rose" for my wife and I, which was a song my wife sang to me at our wedding 30 years earlier. Many of the people in the piano bar were eating full meals, so that may explain why the restaurant was so empty.
While in the bar, a group of five came in, stood at the entry wall for five minutes. They left just as I was getting ready to cross the room to let them know to sit where they pleased. While it's possible they just wanted to listen, I think it's more likely they were waiting to be acknowledged.
Although the restaurant might have benefited from one or two more staff, the people who worked there were giving 100% and seemed to enjoy themselves.
All told, our party of two spent about $120 in the restaurant and bar, but that included meal, dessert, drinks and gratuities. This restaurant is upscale without being stuffy and elegant without being overpriced.