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Review content:
I'll start right off with some very brief and innocent drawbacks about this place, so I can get to the good stuff: my only worry (not even a complaint, because it barely affected me) is that 1) we weren't allowed to sit inside, only al fresco (which was wonderful) and 2) we were barely allowed to do take-out for our spouses at home, both because they were admittedly very busy on the weekends and we didn't have a reservation. Again, no big deal for us, but good to know.
When we arrived as they opened for the night, the tables inside were vacant, all with reservations on their way. We thought that maybe the host was joking, but within a half hour the restaurant was packed. From what we could tell, the ambiance inside was soothing and not too loud, but we were delighted to be outside in the nice weather. Our waiter, Bobby, paid us plenty of attention, which was a nice contrast to usual sidewalk dining service. He also described everything thoroughly and patiently and made engaging jokes.
Okay, the food. I am a fool for Mediterranean food of any kind, but the bold ingredients and simple preparations at this place were something I agree with wholeheartedly. We sampled the dips of the day - when we were there, a lentil anchovy, potato garlic, and an eggplant-something came out. I fell for the potato dip, with its enchanting texture somewhere between a mash and a rice. It was lovely and garlicky and while I appreciated the other two, that dip kept pulling me back. We sampled the lamb salad, which includes no greens at all, but is just perfectly seasoned and seared lamb, served over a moist sweet-savory crouton of sorts, with plenty of acidity from crushed green olives and preserved lemon rinds and capers... and it has a dollop of the creamiest Greek (?) yogurt to mellow it all out. Oh. Heaven.
We were introduced to the specials, and that day they included (among other tempting things) lamb shoulder, leg, or head. (I think.) Any cut would serve two, so we ordered a leg to share, and thought we'd take home any that remained for the guys. Well... this beautiful, grill-marked, enormous lamb leg came out, simply paired with red potatoes and a couple of lemon slices. It was perfectly seasoned and cooked, and we surprised ourselves by making only tiny marks in it and taking most of it home.
For dessert, we were torn between a yogurt mousse with thyme-honey syrup, and a chocolate mousse with lavender ice cream. Bobby recommended the yogurt, and we were so grateful. There were tiny flecks of lemon rind throughout the mousse - which reminded me more of a flan, because of its form and its delicate texture - so the flavors were all at once sour and tangy and savory and sweet - but not at all too sweet. It was a great finish.
I found this place by chance, blithely unaware that it was on my foodie-dad's list of restaurants to check out. It was a very happy accident, and I'll be recommending it and returning as soon as I can - maybe even for lunch!
Pros: Fresh and unique food, peaceful decor, and charming service
Cons: Limited options on busy weekends
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