Nectar

This was our fifth visit and I must say Nectar gets better with each visit. My husband had the Duck Confit that rivaled anything we had on a recent trip to Paris. What really makes this restaurant special are the subtle flavors of the many handmade sides and condiments. Homemade pickles, fig paste and sausages are just a few. Don't expect big flavors like the chains or big steak houses in town provide. Instead appreciate the subtleties and nuances found only in fine wine and food. Service was amiable and well timed. My only complaint is the air that comes in the front door on a cold evening. Dress accordingly. Pros: Right sized portions, great food, easy parking, friendly Cons: Can be cold near the front door more

The service was VERY slow. We were served behind a large party, and the restaurant couldn't manage to keep up with their business. Our water was low, our bread pieces were few, and our server seem occupied by other customers. The food, howeve, was great. Without a doubt I'd choose Honey or Slims over Nectar: excellent food and great service! Pros: Excellent food. Cons: Poor service. Small and loud. more

I'd heard nice things about Nectar (and enjoyed eating at Aioli, the owner's previous venture), so I was unpleasantly surprised by my experience. The decor is bland, and the dining room was so loud by the end of our meal that it was impossible to hear my friends speak unless they shouted. Service was inconsistent and slow--we ordered wine with our entrees that arrived more than 20 minutes early, we had to ask for water when other diners received it automatically, and we were doled out only one tiny slice of bread apiece even as we waited and waited. I attempted to order the sirloin medium well but was told by our server that it was only prepared rare or medium rare, so I ordered the chicken breast. The chicken was quite good, but I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't been brooding over the steak that I'd really wanted. A friend ordered the salmon and pronounced it very good. The peach tart for dessert was uninspiring--essentially a pile of very sweet peach jam with some berries and gelato. I'd been underwhelmed by the whole experience, but the kicker came when I paid a $78 check with a $100 gift certificate I'd been given. Our server eventually returned to explain that the restaurant couldn't make change for the gift certificate, issue me a credit or another gift certificate for the balance, or apply the balance to the gratuity. The only option: to order additional food to take home with me. Eventually we negotiated a bottle of wine to go (which may or may not even be legal), but I was irritated at what seemed like amateurish customer service at this and other points in the evening. I wasn't expecting cash change, but it seemed to me that asking for a gift certificate for the balance was not unreasonable. It's unfortunate that a frustrating experience compromised what was quite lovely food. This seemed like someone's recently-opened first restaurant; it isn't, so it shouldn't have seemed that way. I won't return, and I certainly can't recommend Nector to others. Pros: Food was quite good Cons: Slow, inconsistent, condescending customer service; unpleasant hassles; loud more

We are always happily surprised by the changing menu at this small bistro. We started off with a glass of the inexpensive sparkling wine from new mexico that was very good. Our first course was the scallops for one & the sweetbreads for me. I love the sweetbreads preparation which changes weekly. We had a glass of the soave with the above which is one of the best soave's I have had. For our main course we enjoyed hanger steak & duck confit with a glass of very good spanish red wine, new on the list.Dessert was pastry & ice cream. We were almost too full to enjoy dessert although the portions are not huge but just right. As always the service was great. Pros: parking is not a problem like you would think for mt. lookout more

I had been looking forward to trying Nectar -- I liked Aioli and had heard good things about Nectar. To start, the service was slow -- we began with a charcuterie platter and it took over 20 minutes to arrive. The taste was fine, but nothing spectacular. The bread was dry. Then we waited quite a bit longer for our entrees. We had asked to have our glass of wine with our entree -- it didn't arrive. We had to ask --- which meant it arrived when we were half way through the TINY portions served. The entree portions are really ridiculous--- more like an appetizer size. My companion ordered a steak -- it was sliced over a potato puree. He found the taste pretty good, just not enough to justify the $21 price. I ordered the duck -- it was terrible. I ordered it medium-rare -- it was literally raw on one side and overcooked on the other. It was served with some sauteed potatoes -- they were burned and greasy. And the portion again was really, really small. We requested more bread with dinner --- they had run out, so no bread. When the waitress came to clear and saw much of my duck was left, she inquired if it was ok. I explained that it was very unevenly cooked. She apologized and came back to say she would "take care of it." I expected a reduction on the check --- but no, she charged me the full $21 for it. Since I had not eaten much of my small dinner, I ordered a tarte tatin (apple pie) for dessert with vanilla ice cream. It was acceptable, but not great. Other poor service areas to note --- we had empty water glasses several times during the meal and they were out of 2 entrees (we sat down at 8:00pm, so not THAT late) and there were only 5 on the menu. Similarly, there were only 3 desserts, and 1 was sold out. I also read that we were to get marinated olives at the start --- our table didn't get any. Probably ran out of those too. Finally, the dining room was loud. Obviously, I was not impressed-- we won't be back and don't recommend it. Pros: location Cons: small portion size, slow service and spotty food more

Well, first, I must say that the food was fantastic. The service was very good. The atmosphere is just ok - that carpet has got to go. I envision gleaming wood floors...In any event, the problem was that the place was deserted! yes, it was a bit late for a Tuesday night dinner, but I brought clients to the restaurant on a recommendation by a friend, and I was a bit embarrassed that nobody was there. They insisted we give it a try, and we all enjoyed it, but the lack of ANY noise other than our own conversation was not good. It's no wonder the service was so good! Anyway, I loved the food, so I'm going to go back - but it's going to be earlier or nearer the weekend. Pros: Food, Friendly chef, Downtown Cons: Empty during week, Too quiet, Decor more

I had one of the best filet mignons ever at Aioli. The prices are a bit on the high side ($26 for the filet) but the portions are large. The restaurant is quiet enough for conversation. The dress is business casual. My only complaint is the service. My server was nice enough but she was not all there. For example, she failed to mention the specials until after I had ordered (what's the point then?) and she was not well acquainted with the menu. more

We have only been there at lunch (numberous occaisions) and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The service and ambience are delightful. We enjoy the contemporary character and art of the restaurant. The wine list is a little lite but adequate. Lunch is somehow always just right, the presentations delightful with food full of flavor. They have always accommodated us even arriving at the later part of the lunch time crowd. Pros: Contemporary, Good tastes, Convenient location more