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| - I've been here twice in the past two weeks with friends for lunch. For some reason, this restaurant was totally off my radar since it opened, and we've even been to iPic a few times as well, never even giving it a glance. Based on recommendations from a friend, I gave it a chance when my friend came to town from Sydney . . . and neither of us were disappointed.
First of all, the restaurant is visually stunning with a living room like area which is accompanied by a glass fireplace when you walk in. There are tables that line the exterior wall for a view of the happenings below in Scottsdale Quarter, or their are some huge comfy booths with marble table tops that line the inside and middle. Either way, the seating is comfortable.
Both times I dined there the place was virtually empty. I am not sure if this is because there are less moviegoers during the week at lunch time or something else. Service was friendly and attentive, although both times I had to ask for sweetener for my iced tea when they didn't bring it with the tea. Minor. Both times the server introduced him/herself, which I like since I hate saying "excuse me" to the air to get someone's attention.
The first meal was brunch that was offered on a Friday. Both of us were delighted as neither of us had breakfast that morning . . . eggs it was! My Australian friend excitedly ordered the Eggs Sardou (for those who don't know what this is, like me, it's poached eggs, baby artichokes, crispy prosciutto and truffle hollandaise). It came as a brunch special with a side (hers was the brown sugar bacon) and a cocktail (the Boca mimosa). She was on Cloud 9! I ordered the omelet with spinach and gruyere; the eggs were cooked as I ordered - light and fluffy). But I was really bowled over by the hash brown casserole that I ordered as an upcharge instead of the usual hash browns or breakfast potatoes that accompany the omelet. The cheesy crispy blend of the potatoes and the parmesan, gruyere, gouda and cheddar cheeses, as well as the crispy onion, were to die for. I could have eaten an entire plate of these alone . . . yum, yum, yum!!!!
My second meal was a true lunch with a different friend. She had been there many times before and said that the salads were the way to go. I could not make up my mind as all the choices sounded delicious. I was torn between the Pan-Seared Branzino salad and the Spinach and Strawberry salad (to which you can add your protien). Since my friend ordered the Branzino, I opted for the Spinach and Strawberry with grilled chicken since she agreed to let me taste her Branzino. Both salads were fresh, plentiful and delicious. I have to say that the grilled chicken on my salad was some of the tastiest, moistest, grilled chicken I have had in a long time. (I suspect it is the same grilled chicken that is used in the Chicken Chinois rolls on the iPic menu about which I have raved in an iPic review). The salad was perfectly and adequately dressed with the most delightful herb balsamic vinegar. Each spinach leaf was perfectly covered -- a rarity in most salads I have ordered, even at some of the finest restaurants.
My friend and I stayed long past our welcome in the restaurant . . . three hours had gone by, and yet our delightful server Jill offered us more tea and more water, or anything else we wanted each time she passed by our table.
Two fantastic experiences surely deserve more visits!!! We'll try dinner next time!!!
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