££££ • Soul food • Aspinwall
Where to begin? I guess I'm a bit of a foodie in that I love food, love new restaurants and new food experiences. And I'm pretty critical. But, I feel ridiculous calling myself that, and I don't have a food blog or any influencer status. So...
BUT, just when you think you've had it all, along comes a new chef serving food with the same ingredients that you've had elsewhere but spinning it into something new, and that's just awe-inspiring.
Full disclosure - I'm not friends with the owners, but I'm friend-LY with one of them, because I always talk to whomever is making my food and I've connected with Diana before on many occasion, discussing their other restaurants: Bird on the Run, and Muddy Waters. Both phenomenally good but for another review.
Was there shortly after they opened and just went back this past weekend to take my son for his 26th birthday. I was hoping it would be as good as I remembered, because he is more snobby and critical than me, and I was looking for a home run.
Here's a quick run-down: Crispy Brussels Sprouts. Yes I KNOW. But if you want to have them done RIGHT these are spectacular. They're roasted with a Maple Bourbon glaze and they serve them with some Garlic Aioli, that is delicious. Just when you were getting ho-hum about these, they change the game up.
Being "fish only vegetarian" I struggle to find an entree in a lot of places. I had the spicy rigatoni and like I said earlier - stuff you already are way-familiar with, but OMG, so much better. Love this. I want to eventually try the fish & chips because it looks amazing on other folk's plates.
But here's the whole reason to go IMO. I know you can't make a tent-pole out of a dessert, and yes everyone else at my table including my picky son LOVED their burgers and steak - but Christ on a bike, the Sticky Toffee Pudding served with vanilla gelato is absolutely transcendent. I've run out of descriptors that don't me sound like a jerk. Please just go try it for yourselves.