04/16/08

Listen to the waiter! Awesome experience, food, service...total package

by MikeandVivian

My husband and I finally had a chance to dine here last week. Everything was incredible! We got there early, but had a chance to look at the menu in the window. They were not 100% ready at 5:30, but invited us in and got started on our drinks while they lit the candles on the tables. Inside it's a romantic setting with cozy booths lining the walls and tables arranged where you didn't feel cramped at all. They promtly brought out fresh, hot bread and room temp butter (thank you!). As we started on the break and cocktails, they checked on if our drinks were ok and the waiter soon took our oder. Although warned that the tuna was served pretty rare, I ordered it anyway, and was very embarrassed to ask them to cook it more. The waitress totally knew what I was going to ask as she came to our table. When my plate did return, it was the most incredible tuna that I have had...period. The fish was so tender yet cooked al the way through (tough with tuna), stacked on top of delicious mustard greens (although I don't eat veggies, not one leaf was left on my plate), and lay in a coconut sauce that was like liquid heaven! Before our main entrees were ready, the chef sent out samples of thinly slices fish drizzled with oil, a strawberry soup of some type, and a sample of yet another cold soup. My husband's pork dish was great too: moist slices of pork over a great sauce. The service was great too. At least 5 people served us at one point or another during our visit. Although we did just pop in during the middle of the week, I would highly recommend reservations. I can see how a place like this can easily and quickly establish regulars no matter what day of the week. The price was a bit more than a casual dinner, but worth every single dollar especially if you go there for an occassion. We will most definitely return (and this time I will consider the waiter's suggestion about the fish...still feel terrible!) Enjoy!

• Pros: service, food, and atmosphere
• Cons: $$, no mixed drinks

09/08/07

Very disappointing

by kkfgeo

We, a large party, had a variety of dishes. Some had the 3-course tasting menu, which included an ahi starter, flat iron steak main course, and the chocolate cake for dessert. The ahi was average; the steak was tough, but at least had some seasoning; and the dessert was too sweet. Others had the fois gras 3 ways and salads for starters. The seared fois gras was at best average, the tureen and the custard fois gras were average. The salads were fine. Some ordered the American Kobe beef. This course looks like the flat steak of the 3-course menu, but the price was much higher, but it was not seasoned at all, and the beef was as tough as the flat steak.... they should be calling the meat Kobe at all, as it was tough and lean. The Texas bass was probably the best course of the entire dinner... the skin was crispy and the seasoning was good.

For the price of the meal, I would much rather go to San Francisco; for a similar price range, a lot of restaurants there (like Bacar, Boulevard, and Gary Danko) would provide better food and service.

10/17/06

Don't wait for a special occasion !

by peterr23232

My wife and I just celebrated our anniversary at 231 Ellsworth, I must say that it was the nicest meal that we have had in a long time. We will certainly be back and more often.

• Pros: Food and Service