They have won the 2011 award from Wine Spectator for excellence and besides the wine list offer several different wine flights that go from starter wines to rich chewy long lasting in four generous portions that adds to the enjoyment of dinning.
The appetizer special was prosciutto wrapped white asparagus ( grilled ) , buffalo mozzarella , heirloom tomatoes topped with an over easy quail egg that was topped with a shave of black truffle surrounded by truffle vinaigrette. This was pretty much as good as it gets. I saw black specs in the vinaigrette and thought they were pepper but to my surprise they were pieces of black truffle so I was impressed that the chef didn't use cheap truffle oil and used real truffles. The buffalo cheese has so much more going on with it than regular mozzarella and also just melts in your mouth in a pleasurable way. The prosciutto used was high end. I also liked that Chef Stephen Toevs came out and asked us how we liked it.
I ordered the special, sole topped with fennel salad surrounded by grain mustard beurre blanc and whipped not spicy jalapeƱo potatoes. I wasn't sure if these taste would work together but they did and were an incredible experience.
My husband had the prime strip steak au poivre. This steak was as good as strip steak can be but it came with fries and onion straws. The the fries and onion straws were good but not as exciting as the very good prime meat and are part of the reason this wasn't a five star review. I do note the sides of fries and onions were included in the modest price for this kind of steak. (Prime strip steak runs approx $49.00 lb at AJs)
We have been up to this point been receiving the very best over the top service from our waiter Grant ( who really was a joy ). But at this point the two waiters on got slammed and I counted our waiter running around with at least seven tables ( some were outside on the patio ) He had help but wasn't able to ask us how are meals were ( although they were great )
We wanted to order dessert since the meals were very good and Grant did make the trip to clear our plates and give dessert menus. We don't drink coffee but I do think we should have been asked if we wanted some with the hazelnut bar we ordered but I know that was due to the workload our waiter was experiencing . I'm not being mean or picky but in high end dining you are paying for everything great.
Over all the food is reasonably priced for high end. The specials were OUTSTANDING. I think the menu is slightly dated and the dessert we tried was good but is not on the level of the really great meals. I also used my preferred dining card and received one meal for free.
I would love to try more of Chef Toevs specials. I got the impression he is a masterful and Creative Chef.