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| - If I had rated this after my first visit, it would have been a five. And if I were rating only the service and the meat (most important thing in a steakhouse, after all), it would still be a five.
Our first trip was the week it opened. They had transformed the gone-but-not-lamented Bistro Burger by partitioning off most of it (soon to be an Italian joint), and creating a very intimate, relaxing space. Service was a little reminscent of the Keystone Cops, as a team of them scrambled over one another to wait on everyone, but at least they were erring on the side of overkill. In their enthusiasm, someone forgot to put in the order for my friend's rack of lamb, so they brought her out a complimentary assortment of cold seafood to tide her over while we started eating. They won my loyalty right there.
As for the food that did arrive: thumbs up to the Edge salad, French onion soup, and I guess to the foie gras, which came on brioche French toast with chopped apples and maple reduction. A nice preparation, but it helps if you like foie gras, which I have decided I don't. (No fault of theirs). The crab cakes are actually made of detectable amounts of lump crab, and come with a tangy,remoulade with just the right amount of citrus.
The chicken and lamb were also both very good, but the star here is the steak. (What kind of a Communist orders chicken anway)? The cheapest beef here is prime grade. A couple of us got the American Wagyu rib cap (divine) and, since we wanted a bite, forced my poor brother-in-law to order the Japanese Wagyu at almost $90 for a small steak and nothin' else - not even a sprig of parsley.
Normally, I would be having a heart attack just typing that bit of info, but instead, that memory makes me smile. It was literally like buttah - just melted in your mouth. I tried to encourage Babygirl to get one when we returned together, but she loves her filet, so she ordered from the lowly left column (prime grade - $65 for a 12 oz portion), and announced that not only was a knife unnecessary, she barely needed a fork. I know a spoon or a popsicle stick would have served just fine for my 48 hour buffalo short ribs: two hefty chunks of perfectly tender meat on a bed of whipped potatoes with delicious gravy and roasted vegetables (we'll get back to those in a minute).
Most beloved side dishes included the wasabi mashed potatoes (they come in a trio of flavors, you'll just have to man up and eat 'em all), asparagus with burrata and balsamic, cauliflower gratin, baked in I-don't-know-what sauce but it was creamy and cheesy and delicious, and the mushrooms, cooked in wine and topped with what must have been goat cheese because it was too good to have been anything else.
Dessert, you ask? Well, let me enlighten you. Due to the faux pas with the lamb, our table was delivered an assortment of complimentary desserts, so I happen to have a wealth of information. Creme brulee' was well received, as were the trio of parfaits (I remember chocolate and red velvet. Maybe lemon?). Who cares? The real butt kickers were the cheesecake pops. They come in order of six, two of each flavor, all wonderful. The best is the peanut butter kind- it will put hearts in your cheeks like you've never had. Hint: it's the kind with the sprinkles on the outside, so if you have to share, make sure you hog those. Practice your innocent look.
Service seemed a lot more organized on our return trip; and, the hostess is a sweetheart, the bartender and the manager (maitre d' maybe?) seemed to be in a contest to out charm each other. They both won. All the waiters were pleasant and service was fine.
So why the missing star? Well, I wish I could give them 4 1/2, and maybe I should have rounded up, BUT, the lobster bisque was disappointing - very thin and watery and not very flavorful. The "roasted" vegetables were cut into very small chunks, but didn't show evidence of having gone anywhere near an oven. They were not "al dente", they were practically raw.
And nobody liked the tiramisu.
Now that we know what land mines to avoid, our next trip should be great. But there shouldn't be any land mines.
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