Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar

Since this place is SO TINY, I'll give it a tiny review :)

- It's super small and they don't take reservations.
- The decor is very 90's - very much in need of a makeover...

BUT

- The food is fantastic - on the same level as X2O, Xaviar's, and Restaurant X (obviously) but with a much more casual vibe.
- Great service, attentive as always.

Also, they get props for serving espresso correctly: with the lemon rind. I order espresso in most restaurants in lieu of dessert and it's very rare that they give you the lemon rind with it. Yay!

WHY IS IT NO PLACE EVER OPENS EARLY BUT THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM OPENING THE DOOR 5 MINUTES LATE

Haven't been here in ages decided to stop bye.

Couldn't pick an app,  finally just made it easy and took the most expensive. lump crab and fried potato slices with curry oil. Unfortunately with nothing to bind the round lump crab to the potato they would just roll off at every bite. The potato didn't have a crisp texture but a stale one. Add on the complete lack of flavor, Hey Waiter, can you pick up my lump crab off the floor, please.

Swordfish cut from the loin, firm, fresh, and a sauce that you wished was also smothered on your accompanying rice.

Unimpressed with the desert menu, picked a chocolate pecan pie. Took a few unfamiliar bites. Is this the right dish. " where's the pecans " answer in the crust. What I had was a overly sweet chocolate pie with a bad crust.....

In for lunch today with a friend at about 1:00 and, surpisingly, got prime corner seating at the bar. Typically this is late for lunch and bar seating would be out of the question (although table seating is quite nice too).

It does not get much better than this - the food is 5-star and so is the service. If you can't handle the "no reservation policy" you can always make a reservation next door at Xaviars. You just have to get dressed up for Xaviars.

The bread is always fresh and warm with a prefect crust. Today's rolls were no exception.

A glass of a nice crisp Provence Rose proved a good start for the weekend!

I started with a white asparagus vichysoisse - a perfect summer soup done to perfection.  For an entree I chose the Mussels Mouniere (in a light vermouth cream) and they were small, fresh and scrumptious! I dunked away with that terrific bread.

My friend had the softshell crab, which he described as "amazing".

Service was attentive and spot-on. I had mentioned to my friend that I "might" let him try the soup, and out it came with two spoons - even though we had not asked directly.

Continues to be one of my favorite spots for a casual lunch or dinner.