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| - A friend and I stumbled into this restaurant while driving around desperately looking for a decent place to eat after an afternoon of hiking. We were both ravenous and ready to settle for an Applebee's as we drove past Elements Kitchen & Martini Bar. I directed my friend to turn around and go back.
My friend was a bit skeptical, because he had negative connotations with the use of the word kitchen in a restaurant's name, but I suggested we at least check out the menu. We walked into a small and nicely appointed dining room and were immediately greeted by the pastry chef and owner Catherine. Both the restaurant and Catherine had a warm, welcoming and relaxed vibe. We opted for a table outside and perused the menu.
We each started with the Maple Leaf Farms Sliced Duck Breast Salad, with wood grilled duck breast, mixed greens, caramelized walnuts, gorgonzola crumbles and pomegranate vinaigrette. It was a perfect balance between sweet, savory and acid flavors. I could have eaten it all night.
We then went on to the Lollipop Lamb Chops, pounded, wood grilled lamb chops, in a port wine reduction, with dried cranberries, and an english mustard sauce over lentils. The chops were tender, juicy and perfectly cooked and the sauce was amazing.
Catherine read us the desert specials; we were sold on the strawberry apple pie with caramel and cinnamon and the plain crème brulee. The combination of apples and strawberries was a wonderful and perfectly not too sweet surprise. The crème brulee was just as it should be; sweet, crispy sugar on top and silky smooth cream underneath. We also ordered espresso, which was the best I've had in years.
I can't wait to go back and try more things on the menu as well as the martinis.
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