it has been a long time since i have had a dining experience this pleasurable. i went here for new year's eve, and was a bit concerned that i was able to get a reservation at the last minute. i even stopped by in the middle of the day for a drink at the bar to check out the restaurant atmosphere before crazy new year's eve revellers messed it up. great bricky building with the bar in the front with an atrium-like area for dinner in the back. bar service was slow and the first server i had was somewhat sulky and unresponsive. dinner that night was completely different. our server was amazing and hustled all night. the hostess substituted for the sommelier and provided us with a solid wine choice between two chateau neuf de pape choices. i found that their low-end wines/champagnes/spirits by the glass were horrid. order wines from the middle price range to get the best deals here. food wise, the shellfish was the best part of the tomato bisque with dungeness crab and lobster. the soup was somewhat bland. the gnocchi was the best i have ever had: the potato pasta was a perfect cushion for the flavor of sharp cheese and truffles, then smothered with roasted wild mushrooms and a cream sauce. i licked this platter so clean that i couldn't do justice to the artic char with creamy wild rice that followed. flavors in this dish were tasty but unusual to my palate with the cream, citrus and dungeness crab combination surrounding the fish, which was a bit rare for my liking. i also tried the cassoulet of duck confit, braised lamb and homeade sausage. a wonderful hearty choice for a cold evening. for dessert, i tasted the fried banana fritters (ho-hum, although my partner loved them) but ordered the famous chocolate souffle. the souffle was an artistic treat, and not too sweet, which was a concern.
Pros: creative menu, delicious food, great service
Cons: any low-end liquor or wine by the glass
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