rev:text
| - I'm pretty sure that if I opened a restaurant it'd be something like this. The large lounge area is softly lit and has wingback chairs. The main dining room has a variety of beautiful wood tables, gray walls, agrarian vignettes, and Western animal themed art for sale by local artists. The service was slightly formal but friendly, and the wine menu both well-stocked & cheeky. The drinks menu was great, we had several inventive cocktails and they were all delicious. They also carry Bríó beer, which is a rare refreshing and fruity Pilsner from Iceland.
The food menu consists of a dozen or so appetizers, 4 salads, and ~20 meat based dishes in the $23-35 range including everything from elk to bison. We ordered the prime rib, the boar chop, and the duck breast. Each plate was very substantial, coming with a number of tasty sides. The haricots were crisp and tasty, the carrots al dente, the twice baked potato delicious with corn and cotija, and all the meats were great. These are mains worth their price compared to many similarly priced but precious plates at other fine dining spots in town.
I would be remiss not to mention the herbed red fife sourdough loaf baked with fontina and garlic. This appetizer goes well beyond any "cheesy bread" you might get in a lower class spot, using great hearty Sidewalk Citizen bread, an amazing pesto, and a clever presentation wherein the cheese is hidden in the vertical cuts and the whole thing is showered with micro greens. Definitely start your meal with this.
For dessert, I tried the free form goat cheese cake with chocolate lavender sauce. A very unique and adult way to end a meal. If I had any room left I might have tried some of their great dessert drink suggestions, including a Guinness float. Overall, Open Range gets fine fining right with well composed, delicious food that's good value ... 5 stars.
|