Basilic Restaurant

Basilc is a charming, quaint little restaurant nestled in a small space on Balboa Island. We made reservations weeks in advance, a must since there are only eight or nine tables.

We ordered the five-course pre fix menu, and it did not disappoint.

The starter was a mushroom and asparagus soup, very smooth and full of earthy flavors. That was followed by an heirloom tomato goat cheese field greens salad, a perfectly light accompaniment to the soup.

The shrimp and scallop duo over red quinoa was the next course. The scallop was perfectly cooked, although the shrimp might have been just a tad overdone. The petite filet mignon with fingerling potatoes and root vegetables was served next. The potatoes were small and crispy, while the sauce paired well with each ingredient.

For dessert, Basilic served a trio of their specialties: a chocolate pecan tart, berries, and a meringue. By far, the most tasty was the tart; it was really smooth and delicious. Besides, who doesn't like chocolate and nuts together? The berries were fresh and had a dab of vanilla ice cream on top. Sadly, the meringue fell short of expectations, and was my least favorite of the trio.

The wine list was vast and comprehensive, so we asked our server to recommend a wine along the lines of what we like to drink, a cabernet sauvignon. The wine he chose was smooth and went well with the meal.

With such a small restaurant you would expect the service to be impeccable, and both waiters were attentive and brought each course out with speed.

The only bad thing I can say about Basilic is their bread. I realize that people don't come there for the bread, but if they're a five-star restaurant, everything out of the kitchen has to be five-star. Sadly, the bread was cold and chewy, not warm and soft like you'd expect. The butter, however, was divine.

Oh and for being a small restaurant, the noise level was louder than anticipated. I could hear conversations at both tables next to us.

Quaint little place, we had the five course prix fixe for dinner. The food just kept coming and couldn't even finish the desert we were so full. Each course that we had was a delight, a true succulent experience every time. The venue is small and only open three times a week. I highly recommend calling in advance to get seated. We will be back for sure.

We love this restaurant!  The food is superb and it's very intimate.  Only 6-8 tables, great for a romantic dinner.