La Residence

Don't bother. It's a kiddie bar.

I have no idea what this place is like during daytime hours, but I can tell you what it looks like at-at-at-at-at night.

Around 11:30 on a Saturday night, it was fairly dead. I could walk up to the bar, order a drink, catch highlights to the game, hear myself think, and talk to friends.

Suddenly the doors swung open and the hordes arrived. I was bit by bit pushed into a corner (thankfully a chair stood there) and I had to yell to be heard. The music pumped up on the dance floor, and the place got pretty wild.

This might totally be your thing. As evidenced by the number of stars above this review, it is not mine. However, I'm fairly certain that most people who enjoy late night La Res don't give a care about it's Yelp reviews, and probably many, many more people are indifferent to slightly annoyed by La Res, but since it's a common late-night, weekend hangout/dance spot, everyone goes here anyway. Sigh.

(Second Yelp review in a week... I'm on a roll)

The wife and I took advantage of the Groupon at La Residence to go out and be a little fru-fru. It was well worth the expense. Make no mistake - La Residence is not the sort of place to go to for casual dining. It is a place for a refined palette and deep pockets.

Wishing to test the sommelier's abilities I asked for his wining pairings to go along with the Fall Menu included as part of the Groupon.

Upon arriving for our 6pm reservation, the wife and I were promptly seated by the host/sommelier who was prompt and unobstrusive throughout our meal. A waitress provided bread and water and kept a close eye as well. It should be noted that it was a slow night with only ours, a three-top, and another two-top to occupy the attention of the waitstaff.

(Note: aside from the lack of wine and the dessert, the wife's and my meal were identical.)

The meal started with an Il Conti Pinot Grigio - Light body with little character to the nose; notes of raspberry and allspice - and a "Petite Lettuce Salad." The salad was a mix green salad with house-made raisins, beets, cherry tomatoes, and crushed nuts lightly dressed with a cider vinaigrette. A good salad and a good start to the meal.

We continued with a McWilliams Chardonay - unfortunately bland with little nose; a dry specimen with notes of cherry - and a Butternut Squash Soup that was superb. Combining a creamy squash broth with shimeji mushrooms, a Pork and Apple ravioli, and a hint of white truffle oil there was a lot going on with this Autumn concoction. A strike for the McWilliams but a solid triple for the soup.

Our entree was the beef tenderloin accompanied by a Redpin Cabernet - medium bodied with a spicy nose, low sugar and notes of blackberry and oak. We both ordered the steaks medium-rare and so they were delivered. Perfectly. One of the best steaks I've had in many a year. The steaks were presented on a bed of (overly) wilted chard and accompanied by a layered potato gratin that was tasty. On top and surrounding that were Shitake mushrooms and cipollini onions. All in all, a great steak and potatoes. The cab accompanying it was definitely a "would buy again."

To finish our meal I had the Chocolate Pot de Creme while the wife enjoyed the Creme Brûlée. The wife would like Yelp to know that the Creme Brûlée was rich, creamy and delicious... as is only right and proper. The Pot de Creme was heavenly. 'Nough Said. Accompanying the dessert was a Tokai - a new experience for me. Starting with strong nose of apricots, the Tokai (a Hungarian dessert wine) is a little too sweet for my taste. But! Given the heavy, spicy and intense dessert, it was definitely the perfect digestif.

All told: The wife and I will be returning. Assuming one of us wins the lottery. La Residence has a lot going for it with fantastic food* and good wine pairings but at 180$ before the Groupon this just isn't the right tax-bracket for most Chapel Hillians.

*I wasn't going to gush but the wife insisted because of the steak.