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| - Alder & Birch has replaced the Canal Street restaurant that I used to go to and liked a lot. If you knew Canal Street, when you see A&B, you'll notice a big change. Alder & Birch is bright and modern when compared with the darker, river themed wall of Canal Street. I decided to give Alder & Birch a try.
I made a reservation and got there just about one minute before. I was taken to a table that could seat three people with two of the seats being booth seating. I sat in the chair. I was given the menu and my server soon appeared. Her name was Brandy and she was excellent!!
I ordered the tomato bisque soup, the signature, 14 ounce A&B porterhouse (ordered blue), fries for the side, and later strawberry shortcake for dessert.
I was quickly brought my iced tea and some bread. They had a nice selection of sliced bread, some lavash, and a focaccia square. Along with the bread was a round dish with soft butter and another dish with large salt crystals for those, like me, who like salted butter. The focaccia was hands down the best of the bread service.
The tomato bisque soup was very good and served extremely hot which was good! I took my time with the soup and enjoyed the focaccia.
Next came the porterhouse along with the blue cheese topping I ordered with an up-charge of $4. The fries were placed on the table and it was explained that the ketchup was jalapeño flavored and if I wanted regular ketchup I just needed to ask. Not being a ketchup fan, I tried two fries with it and I was unimpressed. I didn't taste the jalapeño zing I expected and it was just ketchup. I enjoyed the rest of the fries without dipping. The steak was done the way I like and the Maytag blue cheese topping was very good. There was one large pearl onion grilled and served with the steak. The meat near the bone came right off. If it wouldn't have been messy, I would have gnawed the little bit left and cleaned the bone.
Brandy brought the dessert menu. Some of the desserts were somewhat standard so I went for the strawberry shortcake. Brandy explained that it wasn't cake at all but white chocolate bread. It didn't matter--i wanted to try something different and it was. Their strawberry shortcake consists of two slices of Bon white chocolate bread, grilled, and served with strawberries and vanilla bean ice cream. There was a partial rose petal done in thin chocolate accompanying the dish. I've had Bon Breads white chocolate at home and either they have changed or the grilling changes the bread but there was little chocolate flavor to the bread. There was a good grill flavor but the dessert is essentially grilled toast with strawberries and ice cream. Good but just OK.
Some things about Alder & Birch. I like the modern decor but the lighting could have been turned down some. It's bright in there and there was no rheostat to darken the dining area and give it a more intimate atmosphere. It was modern wood, glass, and light. I don't want it dark so I need my iPhone to read the menu but I'd rather not have it the way it was.
My server, Brandy, was excellent! She was always there to replace my iced tea, answer questions, or see if I needed anything. The people working with her was just as good.
The dinner was good and A-OK as Yelp says for three stars. I don't think it wowed me enough to bring me back especially the lighting.
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