Let me start this review with some honesty; I have never had Ramen before. It has been on my bucket list to try for many years, but just have never been able to convince my restaurant going friends to resist going back to our favorite places. Alas, thus why it has taken so long for me to have this delicious creation.
The location is gorgeous, with string lights surrounding the outdoor patio and and easily accessible light rail stop literally feet away. The inside is spacious and a classy, more modern vibe, so really, you're set either way. I was by myself waiting for a friend, so I took a seat at the bar.
The staff were all friendly and willing to answer questions. The nice bartender walked me through all the nuances of sake and allowed me to sample a few different kinds, before committing to none because I ended up being too full from my ramen. Another day.
Now to the main focus: the ramen. I was between trying many different types for this first experience, but the limited availability of the seasonal option drew me in. I ended up going for it, without much hesitation: butternut squash miso ramen with bok choy and mushroom and just wait for it: barbecued cauliflower. Honestly, it blew me away. Every bite was surprisingly well balanced, with an incredible amount of creaminess for just vegetables. The noodles were perfectly cooked and plentiful and I was smiling the whole time. The real kicker, though, was the incredible barbecued cauliflower. The sweet smokiness was exactly what was needed to round out the dish. My only complaint was there definitely wasn't enough of the cauliflower, maybe only two or three pieces. Although I went home with leftovers, I didn't go home with any of the best part of the dish and that was a small disappointment.
Overall, I loved my experience here. I thought the food was exceptional and high quality, even offering more unique options than the traditional. I also thought the aesthetics of the location were lovely and the staff was as well! Will absolutely be coming back and will absolutely be heartbroken that the seasonal ramen is not a menu staple.