The Corner House, last night, was a wonderful evening of dining and conversation. I chose it for its purported intimate interiors, out-of-the-way location, and simple, yet delicious dishes and it delivered on all counts. We decided to sit outside since it was one of the first warm nights of the season, so I can't speak to the inside, but it did look just as nice as I've heard it is. The neighbourhood is lovely and quiet and you get the impression that you've stumbled upon a little secret.
We started with a glass of wine (the Shiraz by the glass) and a Pilsner Urquell. Their beer selection is wanting (only four?), but the wine was delicious. The service was friendly and prompt, if a little disorganized--we weren't sure which one our waiter really was. The bread was delightfully crispy, though they missed the mark with the butter, which was cold and not spreadable. A little annoyance.
For starters, I chose the beet salad with goat cheese and he had the mozzarella di bufala, both of which were refreshing and sumptuous. I loved the combination of the warm, salty goat cheese on the cold, sweet beets, accentuated by bitter arugula and radicchio leaves.
For mains, he ordered the duck and I had the rainbow trout. The trout, accompanied by roasted potatoes, corn, and smoked bacon, was well-prepared and definitely flavorful. I tried his duck and it was glorious. My only complaint through this meal would be that the patio got quite dark, and even though we borrowed a candle from an adjacent table, we were still struggling to see our food properly. Better lighting out there, please!
For dessert, I ordered the macarons and he had the crème brulée. I had mentioned to the waiter earlier on that it was his birthday, and when they brought out his dessert they wrote "happy birthday" in chocolate on the plate. A nice touch!
All in all, a lovely evening of great wine, food, and hospitality. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for great, tucked-away dining.