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 | 	- Meatloaf. Not exactly the first entree choice that comes to mind when being seated at the fireplace table of a fine dining establishment. Sipping on my tall, strong and delicious margarita, waiting for what would be our fresh, crispy fried calamari appetizer with just-spicy-enough red sauce to be brought to the table,  I mulled over the menu. The vanilla bean stuffed shrimp looked interesting enough (my boyfriend, who had enjoyed the shrimp before and insisted I try them, ended up ordering them so that I could do just that...and they were excellent. Balanced, with flakey crab and just a hint of vanilla, these were definitely worth venturing outside of my strictly savory comfort zone), and the salmon sounded tempting, but my eyes kept retreating to the ridiculously intriguing description of Not Your Mama's Meatloaf. The waitress (professional and attentive without smothering) returned. I committed. 
I was not disappointed.
When my main course appeared, I was presented with what appeared to be half of an entire meatloaf, wrapped in bacon, glazed in smokey sweet BBQ sauce, smothered in perfectly textured red skinned mashed potatoes, crispy onion straws and resting on fresh, thick, chewy rosemary bread. The meatloaf itself was so juicy and flavorful, it would've been sufficient even without all of the fixings. But despite the sheer volume of what was going on on that plate, every component worked together and achieved a deliciously balanced meal...the obligatory leftovers of which made an equally excellent second meal later that evening. 
Classic dining with modern culinary stylistic touches, perfect execution, excellent service...everything you would expect from a restaurant whose manager was inducted into the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs.
I can't wait to go back.
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