Chef Amaury's Epicurean Affair

Absolutely amazing food, can be very disorganized and aloof in the restaurant.  Food is a 5, Customer service is about a 1.5.  

We've been there twice and I cannot say enough positive things about the food.  Both times we did the tasting menu and couldn't have been more satisfied with what we were food we were served.  

My problem is with the customer service and it's multi-fold.  Our first visit, they were out of several drinks.   They said their bartender got out of town and hadn't prepared anything.  Several other types of liquor was out of stock as well on a Saturday night.  That' no big deal, it happens.  

However, our initial sever was unable to describe several of the menu items.  Luckily we had a second waiter come over who was wonderful and could explain things.  However was unable to pair wines with the tasting menu.  Luckily Chef Amaury came over and pointed us to a great bottle.  The food, especially in regards to the immediate area, is without peer.    

The second time we went in (4 months later), we ran into the same problem in the bar.  Several drinks couldn't be made (same excuse was used) and several ingredients were missing.  We also waited (with only about 10 people in the place), almost 20 minutes before anyone asked what we wanted.  Again however the food ended up being truly spectacular, but we again ran into problems again with the server not knowing the menu.  The food again was superb.  

The final straw was this last week. We made reservations for my 40th two weeks before the Saturday we were celebrating.  We got a call 2 days before the reservation to let us know it couldn't be accommodated.  They offered us a seat on a Wednesday and said that's all that they could do.   The only apology came in a "Well we're sorry Wednesday doesn't work fo you".  When my fiancee fired off a somewhat terse email, they blamed a new reservation system, but no offers to find us another date outside of that Wednesday night or anything else was offered..  As getting a reservation at  great place for a Saturday 2 days out is difficult, it pretty much killed the weekend.  

A friend of mine also had a problem with his credit card being triple charged by them  He was initially met with the same aloof attitude from an employee until, on the second phone call, Chef Amaury stepped up and took care of the problem.  Even with his involvement, It ended up being a giant pain thought getting the charges reversed and took a week's worth of phone calls to the bank.  

It's really too bad that stuff like this has to taint what should be one of the gems of the area.  The customer service though is so sub par that I won't go back.  That makes really a shame because the food is fabulous.  I hope they get it together.

Incredible.  Fantastic.  Radical, DUDE!

Really, I have no idea what else to say.  This place is GOOD.  DAMN good.  ohemgee.  

My sister took me here for my birthday, we've both been wanting to go for quite awhile.  We decided on the tasting menu - the $65.00 per may seem daunting if  you're not an amateur foodie as the two of us, but let me assure you, it is WORTH IT.  Each and every penny.  

The first course was a baby arugula salad, buttery & yummy as all salads of this variety should be.  Great palate cleanser to start.  

Course #2 was a beet soup - something I would never dream of ordering normally, but tasting menus don't always give choice, so to the table it came.  It was neon red, and I was nervous.  BUT THEN, I put it in my mouth (haha). And OH man, wonderful.  It was carroty, earthy, buttery, yumminess.  The bacon at the bottom was a great treat, too.  

Halfway for our Third course, we were served Escolar.  Honestly, I didn't know WTF that was until I googled at the table.  Deerrrr.  Anyway, shoulda known, fish course.  Now, I cannot stand/hate/despise/eeeew seafood.  It's either rubbery, or dry, or tastes/smells like rotten crotch.  This fish?  To. DIE. for.  Light crunch outside, tender inside.  Had the RIGHT kind of fish taste, clean yet salty.  If I was told I had to each fish every day for the rest of my life, THIS dish is it.  

On to #4 - braised short rib over goat cheese truffle mash.  I was not intrigued at the menu listing, seemed ho-hum, but now I will remember to never overlook the traditional done well.  The meat was melty, smooth, tender, beauty.  Paired with the mash, I almost cried at the flavor profile.  No, really.  I NEARLY CRIED.  Over food, yes.  But trust you, there is a chance you will do the same at this place.  

Final course, dessert, has 3 options- molten cake (been there, done that), vegan cake wtih berries (kthnx no bye), and S'more Creme brulee with homemade graham cracker.  Do I even NEED to review this one?  Didn't think so.  

I will say courses 2-4 were my FAVES, not that 1 & 5 weren't also great, but because the level of cuisine was SO high.  This joint is going to be TOUGH to top, both on my palette and most others.  

GO HERE NOW.

My husband and I had dinner there on a Friday night.  The owner/chef stopped by our table while we were looking over the menu and answered some of our questions.  He was very friendly and described the ingredients he uses to make his dishes - - only the best quality!  We had the 5 course fixed menu and enjoyed ever course.  Every thing was cooked to perfection, juicy, tasty, steamy hot (which you don't get often!).  For desert, my husband ordered a delicious chocolate squash creme brûlée.  I can't eat sweet deserts and when I told them that, I was offered a cheese plate instead - - it was such a treat!  We will definitely return and bring some friends to enjoy the restaurant with us next time!