Tucked away in the Studio District on Pleasant Street, it’s not the sort of place tourists stumble upon. Instead it attracts a steady stream of couples and groups of friends who seek it out for it’s consistently pleasing cuisine.
When my husband and I stopped by for dinner on a recent Friday evening, we were quickly seated at a booth (complete with throw pillows for comfort) and treated with the kind of service that’s not smothering, but cheerfully attentive.
My husband started off by ordering a bottle of Guinness ($3.75), and I opted for the Thirsty Lizard white shiraz from Australia ($4.50). Rather than being white, this wine is darker than most roses but lighter than a true shiraz. With it’s sweet, fruity flavor, it proved a perfect pair to the spicy, flavorful food.
For an app, we selected the grilled flatbread and hummus ($4). Other choices included things like baked brie or mussels.
The garlicky hummus drizzled with olive oil and paired with fresh-tasting bread was a great warm-up for the meal to come. The diverse menu contains offerings like a grilled steak salad, a sweet potato sandwich, a Thai chicken salad and a grilled sirloin burger. We went with the vegetarian dumplings ($10) and a rib eye steak, medium rare ($21).
The steak was prepared to perfection and topped with caramelized onions and a Thai chili sauce. It was paired with mashed potatoes and sautéed zucchini. The dumplings came gently seared on the bottom and filled with a savory mix of tofu and veggies. They were presented on a bed of mixed greens, pea pods and carrots, which was lightly coated with a tangy ginger-soy sauce dressing. For dessert, we selected an apple, pear, cranberry crisp ($5).
In the end, our bill came to $55.64, before tip. While it’s more than it would cost to eat at your friend’s house, it was worth every penny.