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| - Nice lunch, a bit pricey.
The decor is modern and very attractive; the place attracts a mixed-age crowd for lunch and is probably so popular for dinner and socializing that its large parking lot is full most evenings. The pricing is from moderate to expensive.
Our meal began with bread accompanied by a delicious pomegranate butter. My wife's salmon caesar salad and my spaghetti entrees were tasty and attractively presented. Lunch for two plus two glasses of wine was $50; the single small meatball I added to my order of spaghetti cost an extra $3.00.
Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. However, the waiter failed to inform us that our wines were from kegs, not bottles, a trend that is spreading across the country because it saves money for vintners and restaurants--not for diners. The sauvignon blanc my wife had was so good we would like to buy more of it but a 20 liter keg is a bit much for just the two of us. My less expensive cabernet sauvignon was OK but a bit too tannic before it had a chance to breathe for awhile. A few wines are served old-style from open bottles, while still others are served from an automated preservation and pouring system that is supposed to keep a bottle fresh for up to 60 days (perhaps my rough-edged cab came from a bottle that was on its 59th day).
There were only two negative elements, neither of which would keep us from coming back again. Indoors virtually every surface (walls, floors, windows, ceiling) is hard and reflects the overly-loud sound of the piped-in music and the chatter and clatter of the diners and staff. There is outdoor seating that is a bit quieter, though with some road noise, a choice that is of course dependent on good weather. The other criticism has to do with serving drinking water in metal goblets, which for some people can convey a slightly bitter or metallic taste that interferes with enjoying the meal and wine. Happily, even though most of the wines come from kegs or preserver/dispensers, they are served in real glasses so there is no added metal taste as with the water goblets.
Bottom line: We look forward to coming back some day.
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