Cru Kitchen and Bar

We used to come here when it was Feast. Not sure when it changed over to Cru but they haven't really changed the decor much, if at all, which is a good thing. It's cozy and contemporary and dark, all of which I like. Unfortunately, the new menu does not include the great pizza they once had. I don't know how to describe the cuisine- all over the map? Prices are inflated, too. We opted for several small plates, including "hand cut fries," a house salad (that was $8- really?? For lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber?), grilled shrimp and calamari (it came with exactly two shrimp), the special parsnip soup (very good but why does it need nuts?) and the potato gnocchi (think Asian style- the gnocchi themselves were light but rather tasteless- the accompanying sauce, however, was very good). For dessert we opted for strawberry sorbet which comes from Black Dog and was excellent. We may have opted for gelato but the flavor combinations seemed sort of gross. I will say that they have a nice wine list and the service was quite good- laid back but expedient. I would give it four stars but when the bill came, to my horror, it listed the fries we'd eaten as being "duck fat fries." The waiter confirmed it. Had the menu stated that they were fried in duck fat, we NEVER would have ordered them. I find it reprehensible that people wouldn't be advised of such a thing. It's bad enough that the menu is so nut-centric but for vegetarians, the duck fat is unacceptable. They need to state it plainly on the menu so diners have a choice. I'm not sure we'll be going back, for that reason alone.

A group of us went out for a co-worker's birthday, and it was fun and delicious.  It was a little pricey, but I fully intend on going back for the following:

Mushroom flat bread
Marguerite flat bread
Blue cheese - amazing!
Swiss char
Mac and cheese

I definitely recommend this place.

Stopped here on our way to dinner and were impressed with the wines and drinks.  The bartender was great! And even though they had to close due to a power issue, she took great care of us and bought us a round! We will definitely stop back.