"2013-02-09T00:00:00"^^ . . "Ok, this review is only for Winterlicious, but if there was a magical 6th star I could give a restaurant, Splendido deserves it!\n\nIt was their first year participating in Winterlicious and it was definitely one of the best Winterlicous experiences I've ever had.\n\nSplendido,\nwell, I think i love you, so what am I so afraid of?\nI'm afraid that I'm not sure of\na love there is no cure for.\nWell i think i love you - isn't that what life was made of?\nthough it worries me to say, I've never felt this way.\n\nThe service is just out of this world outstanding.\nFrom the second you step in, the warm greetings, the staff takes your coat, pulls out your chair and everything is seemless.\n\nIt's neat that the waitstaff have black vests...and Levis... that's kind of awesome!\n\nOur knowledgeable waiter answered all of our questions about the menu and cocktails. Service was perfect from ordering to delivery and throughout the meal.\nWe had constant attention and the manager came by several times to ask us about our Winterlicous experience and to ensure that we were enjoying ourselves.\n\nThe food was surprisingly creative in terms of presentation. The food is more four star but combined with the service our experience was exceptional.\n\nAppetizer\nThe porchetta was an unexpectedly huge portion.\nSoft, juicy, and salty. A great start to the meal.\n\nMain - Duck confit with plum sauce\nThis is the first time I've had duck confit pressed into the form of a brick.\nThe duck was flavorful and juicy with an Asian twist accompanied by sweet plum sauce. \n\nWe ordered the Polenta as a side. Creamy with sauce, but not overly exciting. I wish it was served with mushrooms or something else to give it more weight.\n\nThe brussel sprouts were not bad. Crispy and super toasty brussel sprouts.\n\nDessert\nI had the Chocolate pound cake with a lime chili gelato.\nThe presentation and flavours were very unexpected bold.\nIt was a deconstructed chocolate cake with crispy chocolate bits, there were a lot of textures on the plate. The gelato was weirdly icy and spicy! I didn't love the dessert, but I liked how it was an adventurous surprise.\n\nI can't wait to come back here to experience dinner or try their new brunch service rumored to start in the near future. \n\nAnd yes, valet here is a rip off. :)"^^ . . . "0"^^ . "0"^^ . "5"^^ . "1"^^ .