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| - We were looking for a casual dinner on the first night of our staycation at Mandarin Oriental, so we chose this restaurant inside of Crystals. We were impressed by the modern dining room and, although casual, there was a taste of elegance in the warm, inviting decor. And since it's pretty open on the second floor of Crystals, you can do some good people-watching while you dine.
My husband called ahead and told them we were celebrating my birthday (which was the next day). The hostess greeted me by name and wished me a happy birthday, which I thought was nice. Everyone was extremely attentive throughout the entire meal. Waters never went empty, we were never left alone for long, and they checked on us frequently without being overbearing.
We tried the Caesar salad, chicken piccata, and margherita pizza. All were delicious. I don't like capers, but I pushed them to the side of the chicken and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. The pizza was very good - fresh tasting sauce and cheese on a softer crust and, although I've never been, it's what I imagine a fresh pizza would taste like in Italy. For dessert we tried the zeppoles. What an interesting take on a simple Italian dessert. They were filled with a creamy orange custard and served with caramel dipping sauce. Delightful! They had a very nice wine list and a full bar (happy hour at the bar all day, every day. If I'm in the area I'll definitely stop in for a drink and a nosh!).
Also, this restaurant has a "Compliments of the Chef" locals program in place that entitles locals to preferred seating, priority reservations, and a free dessert per couple. Just tell them you're local!
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