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| - It's been several weeks since I took my girlfriend here for her birthday. And while the experience definitely merits a review, I've hesitated because I'm not sure how to approach it. She was blown away with the whole evening; I was less so. Although the blame for that is at least half my own. For starters, I was a little out of my element. Drop me in a back alley bar in a third world country where I don't speak the language and I'm fine. But pull out my chair for me, place a napkin on my lap and constantly sweep crumbs from the table with a little brush and I feel like I've crashed a dinner party at Downton Abbey. But that's my hangup, not their failing.
The restaurant's decor and ambiance was impeccable. Everything was as one would expect in a fine dining establishment. As soon as we arrived a hostess led us up the stairs, past old bedrooms converted into climate controlled wine cellars to a dining room with about 4 tables for two. Our waiter was attentive, patient, friendly and very knowledgeable. He did have a little difficulty at first recalling some of the specials. But this is completely understandable, given the amount of detail they have to memorize, just to have it all change the very next day. It's like every ingredient is given a minimum of 5 adjectives. I don't know how they do it.
We shared the appetizer of foie gras over blueberry bread pudding with blueberry-port gastrique and Sauternes macerated golden raisins. This was my first experience with foie gras, so I have no basis for comparison there. But the bread pudding, raisins and sauce was like magic. If only it had been bigger than a chicken nugget. If you're splashing out for foie gras, I'd recommend going all out and ordering champagne to go with it. To hell with thrift, right?
Given the bite-sized-ness of the foie gras, you'll probably want to order a salad. I can't remember what my girlfriend ordered but I can verify that my caesar salad was the best I've ever had anywhere. If you prefer a mild flavor, order it without the anchovies. I, for one like my food to bite me back. I was not disappointed.
The main course is where an adventurous appetite might lead you astray. HEED YOUR WAITER'S (and my) WARNING, THE NEW ZEALAND ELK CHOP IS INDEED TOUGH. I couldn't turn down the chance to try something new but soon wished I had. SPOILER ALERT: It tastes almost indistinguishable from beef and is nearly as tough as an overcooked pork chop. Of course, I can't hold this against them. I was warned, after all. But I would submit that such an inferior cut of meat doesn't deserve a place on their menu. At $42, some things simply aren't worth shipping from the far side of the world.
Fortunately, the meal ended on a high note with a dessert of beignets with cinnamon crême Anglaise and coffee gelato. Amazing!
Would I go again? Probably not. Not that the place isn't good; I'm just very rarely in the mood to drop $200 on a meal. And the next time I am, there are plenty of other places I need to try.
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