Well, at first I was going to leave a 4 star rating, but then I spoke with one of the friends that went to dinner with me afterwards and found out she got sick from the fish she had that night and her hubby also commented on how fishy it tasted, so I’m downgrading by a star. Came in sat night with a big party and the place was almost empty. Uh-oh, I thought. But to be honest, the dining room soon filled up, and the food was pretty good. Started with the ginger pear cider and it was soooo yummy! Our big table shared a paella, which was a little skimpy on the seafood and not very memorable. Amuse bouche was some carrots with fried shallots. Though I’m not a carrot fan, I gobbled this up without complaint. For entrée, I had the hamachi(which my friend also ordered). Mine tasted fine, although there were parts of it that were undercooked, and the sauce was way too salty. The branzino and skirt steak, on the other hand, were excellent. Ended with the coffee & donuts. I’m not a huge fan of donuts, but ordered this because it was the only thing that caught my interest on the dessert menu. The donuts were a pleasant surprise: light, fluffy, not greasy at all, and not over-sweet. LOVED the coffee ice cream. Chocolate shooter tasted funny and kept me up that night :(
Clement C.
Classificação do local: 4 Chicago, IL
NEWS: Randy Zweiban Has Closed Province Restaurant Chicago Looking to re concept the 161 N. Jefferson St. location in early 2014. His Provence restaurant in Phoenix is continuing operation. Executive Chef/Owner Randy Zweiban, who first brought Nuevo Latino cooking to Chicago with Nacional 27, has crafted a dynamic menu that is grounded in American cuisine and influenced by Central and South American and Spanish dishes. In 1989, Zweiban headed south to Miami, where he could open a catering company with a similar clientele in a warmer climate. He then went to work with celebrated chef Norman Van Aken, first at a mano and then at Norman’s, where he was Chef de Cuisine and partner. Over the seven and a half-year period that the two collaborated, Zweiban immersed himself in the vibrant culture and cooking of Miami’s Latino community, while continuing to work with Van Aken’s New World Cuisine. He also, during this period, took a one-year hiatus from Miami to work as Executive Chef at The Gate, a popular Los Angeles supper club. In the summer of 1998, Richard Melman and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc.(LEYE) brought Zweiban to Chicago to unveil the city’s first Nuevo Latino concept. At the helm of Nacional 27, Zweiban received numerous accolades, including being named«One of the Best New Restaurants» byChicago magazine which Chicago magazine also recognized Province for. Province was given a three out of four star review by the Chicago Tribune. Zweiban has been featured in Bön Appétit, Gourmet, Newsweek, Food Arts, USA Today, Metropolitan Home and Esquire, among other publications.
Adisak P.
Classificação do local: 5 Chicago, IL
I am updating my rating to five stars(although I’d really say 4.5 stars and I’m rounding up). I’ve been back with groups(as large as 14 people) 7 times in the past three months. Every time, the service has been perfect(I would especially like to commend«Shelly» who has been my waitress on four of these occasions as cheerfaul and knowledgable). The tasting menu(which is what we have always gotten) is an amazing value for the price — probably one of the best«foodie» values in Chicago for tasting menus — especially with the free wine pairing on Wednesdays. In the eight times I’ve been there recently, there were only two small issues with food: one dessert of corn bread was a little dry and one wine pairing didn’t match too well with a soup. But other than that, all of the dishes were enjoyable and most of the dishes were quite outstanding. I took my brother and his wife there(who have been to a number of high end restaurants with me) and they proclaimed it was the best meal they’ve ever had in Chicago. Last night, I brought in a group of seven coworkers, and two of them repeated remarked during dinner that they«would have to bring theirs wives» back for the tasting menu. On one trip, we had buffalo-style pork belly. It’s something I dream about. Seriously! I keep hoping the chef will add this to the permanent menu or at least repeat it in the tasting menu. It’s worth noting that they post their tasting menu every Wednesday(for the free wine pairing night) but the menu can change daily depending on what ingredients are freshest and available. From week to week, there are larger changes although a couple staple items(like BBQ duck) return to the menu periodically. Our dinner last night(Monday) had two courses that were different from the last menu posted 5 days previously.
Steven N.
Classificação do local: 3 Chicago, IL
Near-fine dining without the hefty price. Definitely worth checking out. Great décor and the server we had was super knowledgeable/professional. We came here with another couple to try their tasting menu, but was initially disappointed to learn that the tasting menu they posted online was outdated. They definitely need to do a better job of keeping their website updated. However, the tasting menu that was current was also pretty good. I would suggest calling ahead to confirm the menu if you are set on what you like to eat.
Natalia K.
Classificação do local: 4 Chicago, IL
I love fish. I do. I think it’s the perfect date food or even perfect business meal food. It’s usually priced somewhere in the middle of the chicken and steak entrees and gets dressed up in fun flavors and it’s easy to eat so you’re not working too hard as you’re promoting yourself. It’s also perfect with gal pals right before a night of drinking(even though it might leave you with more of a hangover the next day than a steak) because it doesn’t overstuff you to the point of not being able to hang out all night filling your stomach with more liquid. Plus, it just tastes good. So when I saw a groupon for this place for a three-course meal for two, I was like ooooh fancy fish, I’m so in. So I came here with my friend to treat her for her birthday and we loved everything we put in our mouths, from the amuse bouche to the desserts. I was starving when I walked in, so I was a bit sad that we didn’t get any bread to start, but then what arrived was way better: two mini cups of a carroty slaw with something crispy on top, and flavorful cracker sticks with a garlic white bean spread. Delicious. We did have to choose our courses off a «groupon menu,» which was a bit annoying because what I had originally picked out for myself from their online menu wasn’t on it, but I was able to find something I would enjoy. But for the wine selections, we were able to substitute their standard two offerings for what we preferred, which was good for me, because I don’t love chardonnay. For our apps, my friend chose the mushroom rillete, which was mushroomy and goat cheesy with some toasted baguette slices and was good. I selected the scallop ceviche, which was light and crispy and fresh, and also good. Then the entrees arrived and they looked amazing. My friend had the salmon, which was crispy and flavorful, and I had the hamachi which had some asian flavors and a nice char on it. We cleaned our plates. I even scooped up all the garnish in the sauce and ate them and I don’t usually bother to do that. Dessert was next. My friend opted for the donuts and coffee, which was cinnamon sugary donut holes and coffee ice cream– yum– and I had the cherry shortcake, which was good and fruity with a sour lemon curd and came with vanilla ice cream, but I’m not sure I would order it again if I went back. So the food was delicious and I did not mind, like everyone else seemed to, that they included the tax and tip from the pre-groupon total in the final bill. Isn’t that normal? You’re always supposed to tip on the non-groupon total, otherwise you’re a cheapo. The atmosphere was a bit lacking, however, and that’s where the star gets taken off. It was cold and somber and lacked any personality. The waitress tried to get us to order some sides because the dishes were kind of «small» and other people usually were hungry for more. And this is why this country has an obesity problem. Three, actually four courses with the amuse bouche, and it’s not enough food? Portions should be small and should not have to come with a basket of fries or mac and cheese to satisfy. So yeah, we really enjoyed the food, but it’s not the first place I would choose to go back to.
Kristine C.
Classificação do local: 2 Chicago, IL
I’ve dinned here twice now, once for an office lunch and another for dinner and thought it was average. I really want to like this place so when I saw a Groupon for $ 80 for two first courses, two entrees, two desserts and two glasses of wine I thought it would be a perfect excuse to go back(read further down for the downside and trickiness of the restaurant). I like the décor; I think it’s light and airy. The color gives it a pop and is very modern with the large artwork on the walls. While I am not disappointed with the food, it also does not knock my socks off. I’ve held off on writing a review just because I cannot figure out how to describe or classify the food. All of the fish dishes I have had have been great. The salmon salad, Organic Salmon entrée and Hamachi were very tasty and filling. The bok choy with the Hamachi was a prefect touch. You also cannot go wrong with the coffee and doughnuts for dessert. If you happened to purchase the Groupon, beware. You are given a separate menu(OK that’s fine, we knew we would find stuff to enjoy). We also were aware that there would be tax and tip included. However, the restaurant charges you tax and tip on the order as if you didn’t have the Groupon. We found this a bit sly and deceiving. If we had paid what they wanted it would have ended up being almost the same price as dining without the Groupon. This is not my idea of Groupon/deals/coupons. If the restaurant wants to bring in patrons and wants them to come back, this is not the way to do it. We questioned the hostess about the bill and she was kind enough to adjust it accordingly. We ended up paying $ 80 for the Groupon, plus tax and tip on top of that. Instead of $ 80 and tax and tip on $ 135. I don’t want to sound cheap; we just thought it was poor form to not advertise this on the Groupon fine print. I doubt I will be returning, partially due to their Groupon issue but also because I think everything is mediocre.
Sean B.
Classificação do local: 3 San Diego, CA
3.5 stars We went for the«Wine Wednesday» tasting menu, which came to about $ 68, not the $ 49 advertised. Valet missed us pulling up. I stood in a parking spot and valet attempted to run out and catch us for our business, but it was too late. We did his job for him. Service was spotty, most of the food was excellent. This place sat us inside near a wall of rorschach artwork, with a very very pink booth and wall. This was a little weird as a design choice, but I was digging the giant wine cellar with clear window feature. I had high hopes for this and course one, three and four were 5 star level, could easily be seen at Next or Alinea. pre-course one, there were flatbreads and some sides, which honestly I found a little unnecessary. course one Growing Power Farm Tomato and Mahon Cheese Salad | pickled spring onions, sherry-basil vinaigrette Albariño, Lusco, Zios de Lusco, Rias Baixas, Spain | 2011 The pairing was perfect. The tomatoes were picked that day. Fresh and wonderful. However the service failed to describe the dish to us, just walking away. course two Soft Shell Crab Bisque | fried green tomato salsa Cabernet Franc, Couly-Dutheil, Rosé, Chinon, France | 2012 I would suggest putting in the fried green tomato salsa LAST into this soup so the corn fry stays on the tomatoes. The texture dissolution was my only issue with this delicious course. The pairing was the least successful of the evening. After this course we got«dessert» bombed by some patrons leaving. One was like a raspberry pie deconstructed, tart and delicious, and the other was more like a chocolate and cookie crumble with a heavy cream and ice cream. Both were good. course three California Hamachi | Klug Farm asparagus, charred lemon vinaigrette Tempranillo, Vina Pedrosa, El Pedrosal, Ribera del Duero, Spain | 2009 This was amazing: they cut the asparagus for us and the hamachi portion was very generous for a tasting menu. It was perfectly marinaded in the lemon vinaigrette. course four BBQ’d Duck | vanilla mashed sweet potatoes, crispy carrots Syrah/Mazuelo/Garnacha, Can Blau, Montsant, Spain | 2011 A remarkable idea to pair the small shreds of duck with the mashed sweet potatoes. Also a large portion, very, very successful. course five Rhubarb-Orange Cake | rhubarb compote, orange-vanilla ice cream Torrontes, Susana Balbo, Late Harvest, Mendoza, Argentina | 2010 I felt the wine was the stand out of the evening and anyone who likes dessert wines would love this one. It paired perfectly but the dessert itself was a little bit flat after all those complex earlier flavors in the duck and the hamachi. I would have preferred a little less feeling of «bready» throughout this meal. However, the preparation of the food was great and 4 out of the 5 wine pairings were highly successful. That said, when we walked in, we saw little wrapped cookies for the way out. I thought what a nice idea. They put the bowl away. I asked if we could have some and the host said no! She probably could have taken the two seconds to do this instead of losing a service star over this real disppointment on the way out. This is the kind of detail that loses a customer. I’d try more and would upgrade if they have a better night on the service front. The food is good. I just felt like they were a bit rough around the edges.
Natalie L.
Classificação do local: 2 Chicago, IL
Province cannot help the fact that it’s probably not the best place to kick off a bachelorette party. It’s subdued and trying to have a fine dining vibe, rather than fun and lively. Province can, however, help the fact that its duck dish tastes like barf. No, I’m not regressing back to an elementary school maturity level(completely). That is what I thought of when I tasted the dish. Barf. Other notes:(1) plenty of seats still available at 8:00 on a Saturday;(2) the scallop ceviche appetizer was decent;(3) the quinoa amuse was generally disliked at our table – I thought it was blah;(4) the service was fine but definitely not to the fine dining level that Province is trying to project;(5) the blueberry mojito was a tasty cocktail; and(6) the back room that seems reserved for larger parties is very sterile.
K N.
Classificação do local: 2 Chicago, IL
Let me preface by saying I was taken here for a work lunch and we had a pre-set menu, none of which sounded good to me but the gesture was extremely thoughtful and I’m grateful to work for such appreciative people. The restaurant itself was pretty tiny, very clean and minimal, which I liked. I had an apple salad and it was ok. The candied olives were chopped so finely it was hard to tell they were olives or candied as the flavor from the Granny Smith apples overpowered the potential candied olive flavor. The salad could have used a bit more of the crushed nuts to help cut down on the tartness. I debated between the fish of the day, which was a Michigan white fish, and the steak as I rarely order steak when I go out to eat but I went ahead and ordered it this time. It was drenched in some heavy sauce while floating atop mushy diced potatos. I had a better steak at chain places like Ruth’s Chris and Kiefers. The saving grace… the deserts. Again, I rarely order desert but they brought out a triple rich brownie with this light but decadent sauce oozing all over it… they had a few homemade donut holes resting on top of a coffee flavored ice cream, an apple cobbler and a chocolate shot. I took a little bit of each and they all tasted quite perfect. I feel like deserts can easily cross the line of simple and tasty to «holy hell that’s all sugar» and these were all pretty on point. I may give them another shot and return to order something from their regular menu. ***This place is EXCELLENT in regards to peanut allergies and most food allergies. They make it a point to bring food out completely separate of other plates that have been cooked even remotely close to something a person has an allergy to, it was very reassuring to see a staff so attentive.***
Dennis S.
Classificação do local: 4 Chicago, IL
We’ve been 3 or 4 times over the last few years. Each time I’ve had a difficult time deciding how I would describe Province in a Unilocal review. So here goes. Great spacious ambiance. Interesting but not exciting food. Acceptable service. How’s that? More detail: The décor emphasizes their sustainable attitude, but is still pleasant and classy. Part of the ambiance is the open feeling and the uncrowded table settings. It’s quiet and private, rare in many restaurants today. What I enjoy about the food is their emphasis on root vegetables. It changes the taste of a piece of white fish to be surrounded by «market root vegetables» — whatever they could buy fresh that day. It’s a pleasant change, but not the way I’d want my fish every meal. The five chocolates dessert is as good as it sounds. There are a dozen restaurants in Chicago I would choose before Province, but each time we’ve done the occasional visit we’ve enjoyed it. If you have the chance to go, you should enjoy it. Perfect for a long unbothered late lunch. But I doubt it’ll make your«remarkable» list.
Farrah D.
Classificação do local: 3 Chicago, IL
Cute place for a casual date night — we did not have a reservation and were seated right away(went before 7 on a Friday night). Nice atmosphere and ambiance — felt very comfortable. Food was all an interesting twist on traditional Spanish cuisine. Had the flatbread and chicken tortilla soup that were both very flavorful. My date loved his duck paella. We also enjoyed one of their seasonal desserts which was also very good. We really wanted to try the sangria, but they did not have a fresh batch ready and gave us a glass from the leftover batch on the house — it was still pretty good. Service was excellent from everyone except for our waitress, who wasn’t very attentive. Set us back about $ 50, but overall was an enjoyable experience. Might be fun to come back in the summer when the patio is open.
Mihir P.
Classificação do local: 2 Chicago, IL
I had been meaning to go to Province for a while and finally did tonight but sadly was disappointed. Hostess: kinda weird or just nervous or new to the profession. As she was seating us, I told her I was going to the washroom first — she stared at me and said nothing. Then I asked her where they were so she snapped out of it and told me but she wasn’t friendly. Waitress: knowledgeable and nice. Food Runner: very nice and explained what he was delivering. Busser: quick and efficient, but I asked him to wrap up my dinner and I never saw it again(waited 15 minutes at least). We had to catch a train so I didn’t have time to ask about it. Food: Empanadas — small and dry BBQ lamb — generous portion and very tender. Suckling Pig — dry and flavorless pieces sitting on top of rice floating on oil. The dish also really lacked color. Atmosphere: mostly solid colors everywhere — nothing special. I couldn’t tell what they were trying to acheive here as they were playing music what sounded like Pink or songs you’d expect to hear at Hubbard St.
Joni L.
Classificação do local: 4 Los Angeles, CA
Went here on a Thursday after work with a group. Our table was being set up so we all had a drink at the bar. Bartender recommended a glass of pinot grigio which was very good. We were seated and the waiter, with a cool Chicago north side accent, went over the menu and made some recommendations. We had a variety of appetizers first including meatballs, empanadas, and the tuna taco. My favorite was the empanadas. The outside crust was cooked just right so the crust wasn’t too hard. We all each got our own main course and I chose the swordfish. It was served by some seriously tasty lobster mashed potatoes. We ordered additional sides of market vegetables and mac n cheese to share. My fish was pretty good. Not the best I’ve ever had but still very good. It just wasn’t flaky and buttery enough. Kind of tough is the best way to describe it. It was very full but everyone decided dessert was the way to go. I was fine with dinner as everything was very filling. But as soon as the caramelized banana split and chocolate five ways hit the table I went for it. Both were out of this world! Note: chocolate five way is EXTREMELY rich tasting so proceed with caution. The pride themselves on organic, natural, and fresh ingredients only and you can definitely tell. Overall, I would go back for the apps and dessert but skip the main course. Service is prompt and we never had to wait too long between courses. This definitely seems more like date night place based on the smaller and quieter ambiance.
Alex B.
Classificação do local: 3 Glencoe, IL
I recently had lunch at Province and it will now become one of my regular go to downtown lunch places. It’s a lovely restuarant with a spare, but bright and airy room. Very good for a lunch time conversation without a ton of background noise to speak over. The lunch menu was terrific and well priced. I had a terrific Apple and Chicken salad which was interspersed with some terrific Olive«nuggets.» They weren’t whole Olives, but they were bigger than a dice, so we’ll call it a nugget and move on. Very crisp and light — this was a terrific dish. There was a fresh fish selection, a number of ther salads and sandwiches. The menu is diverse and will have something for everyone — if you have a client who if not adventurous this would be a good place, and you’ll be able to get something interesting to go with their straight ahead fare. Finally — I do plan to come back for cocktails one evening. The cocktail menu looked very interesting, and I saw they had Whistle Pig on their top shelf — always a good sign.
Jimmy M.
Classificação do local: 3 Brooklyn, NY
Honestly, it was just alright. The décor was cool, the waitress was great and the music(while appealing to me) was out of place(lots of Rob Zombie and the like) We started with the house cocktail. It was tasty and alcoholic. Quite an extensive wine menu and a few beers I’ve never heard of. We then with many tapas(tuna taco, flat bread, short ribs, a few others) that were a bit bland or over-seasoned with something I couldn’t put my finger on. For the main course I had the swordfish. It was pretty good — came on top of «lobster» mashed potatoes which tasted like lobster, but contained none. We skipped dessert. It was ok but I won’t make a point of going back. There is better fare to be had in Chicago that I’ve found.
Jenny H.
Classificação do local: 4 San Mateo, CA
Classy chic with the right touches of funky décor. I couldn’t have picked a better place to introduce my out-of-town friend to her first dinner in the city. After a few clicks of the mouse on Gdine, we were set for a prix fixe evening. At 10 o’clock on a Friday, I probably nabbed the latest possible reservation. The place harbored a quiet and calm reflective of the west side scene. BEETSALAD I’ve been on a beet kick lately and the salad did not disappoint! Loved the crunch of pepitas and bites of cheese. BAYSCALLOPCEVICHE I had a few tastes of my friend’s pick and was instantly blown away. While I’m usually wary about consuming raw seafood(with the exception of select sushi), this dish was creamy yet citrusy with good accents of green tomatoes. ORGANICSALMON I was yet again, in the mood for fish. The salmon was perfectly seared and prepared. The parsnip gnocchi was a little on the lackluster side. LAMB My friend’s dish was best described as a well-plated bowl of BBQ lamb noodles. In general, I’m not a fan of lamb’s inherent gaminess but appreciated the flavors. COFFEE& «DONUTS» Still dreaming about the cinnamon churro-donut-holes dipped in the tiny cup o’ rich chocolate and scoop of coffee ice cream. I only wished there were more churros. BOSCPEARCHERRYBRIOCHEPUDDING The bread pudding itself was delicate with just the right touch of sweetness, however the scoop of smoked pear cider sorbet was… bizarre. The smokiness completely did a roundhouse kick to the tongue and we were left with a puzzling BBQ taste that didn’t quite work with the rest of the dish. Towards the end of the meal, it felt as if we had the whole place to ourselves. Despite some minor dish setbacks, my friend still enjoyed her meal, thus I call dinner a success.
Tricia D.
Classificação do local: 2 Chicago, IL
The restaurant locale for Valentine’s dinner better not disappoint, right? Well, it did. What a bust. I picked it based on Unilocal and Opentable reviews. Bazinga on me! Sad face #1: as we awaited the arrival of our entrees, I noticed a waitress carrying 2 plates of meat dishes to the table across from us. She waited… and waited… and it appeared that table didn’t order the food, so she marched back to the kitchen. A minute later, she re-emerged and walked over to our table to set the entrees in front of me and K. Those were our meals. Needless to say, they were lukewarm at best. Sad face #2: both our entrees were salty more than anything. Can I get some water with my water to cleanse my palate? The wild boar chorizo was tasty at first, but got really salty as I continued to finish it off. Sad face #3: in retrospect, I wasn’t asked how I wanted my meat prepared. I got 2 pieces of ribeye with my mixed grill. One was medium, which is actually how I like my meat, and the other was rare to medium rare. Blah. Happy face #1: the duck meatballs were tasty and more in quantity than I was expecting($ 9). Happy face #2: the bus boys were awesome and super attentive, but not overwhelmingly so. Props. Pass on Province.
Mary T.
Classificação do local: 4 Chicago, IL
Up until a few years ago, I wasn’t much for celebrating my birthday. It comes after realizing that it’s the perfect excuse to round friends for a nice meal and nice conversation. For the work birthday club edition of my birthday meal, I chose Province. I picked Province for three main reasons:(1) reasonable proximity to work,(2) positive reviews from friends and(3) the menu, particularly the dessert lunch menu. The restaurant’s space is interesting — earthy and colorful. Branches jut out from the ceiling and accent the space. The walks are pink and white and multicolor clipboards that resemble easels support the menus. A LEED certified space, there are sustainable and recycled touches that give it an earthy, yet polished air. I’m not sure if it was a fluke, but the day we dinged they were devoid if any real lunch crowd — if you want to play it safe, they take reservations. The lunch menu is a composition of small plates and mains. We were interested in the ahi tuna taco as a starter, but balked at the $ 8/taco price tag. I’m not sure what about the tacos commands such a price, but it seemed a little ridiculous. Instead, we opted for the tetilla fondue, which our server noted was apt for sharing. I loved the fondue; the beer cheese was flavorful and I’m a sucker for pretzel bread which was supplied for dipping. For my entrée, I was torn between the smoked salmon sandwich and the special, a swordfish sandwich with serrano chili tartar sauce. Fortunately, a colleague was intrigued by both and we decided to split the two items. Typically, I think ordering off the menu is playing it safe — something has to be tried and true to earn a permanent spot on the menu. Unfortunately, I found the smoked salmon, a menu staple, entirely average, if not disappointing. I’m not sure if it was a matter of over-smoking, but the salmon was tough; it made the open face sandwich difficult to eat. The swordfish sandwich style the show and took this from a 3-star experience, closer to 4. This sandwich deserves a permanent spot on the menu; the fish was succulent and the serrano tartar gave it a perfect kick. The only thing I would have changed about the dish was the side of slaw; not a fan. From the moment I saw the lunch menu, I had my dessert order picked out. Coffee + «donuts» dessert = amazing. The dessert is comprised of churros that resemble beignets, coffee ice cream and a demitasse of mexican hot chocolate. The hot chocolate is more akin to straight melted chocolate than a cup of Swiss Miss. Dip your churros and ice cream in the hot chocolate and take the remaining beverage as a chaser. Don’t even attempt to share this dish, it’s too good not to savor every bite. While I didn’t always think the Latin influence was apparent in the plates, Province is a solid choice for a nicer lunch. It works well for a business lunch and they have private dining rooms for group functions. TIP: The lamb is no longer on the lunch menu, but you can request it.
Zachary B.
Classificação do local: 3 Forest Park, IL
Ah, ok.
Andrea R.
Classificação do local: 4 Glencoe, IL
Eclectic. That’s the word that came to mind based on the décor and menu. My party of 4 was sat in the back room, which wasn’t quite as cool as the main dining room where there were trees hanging from the ceiling. Regardless it was nice and cozy… and quiet enough for some good conversation. We ordered a bottle of white wine(a tasty sauvignon blanc) and got ready for some good eats! Apps: * Melted Blue Cheese Fondue– my favorite! * Olive Oil Poached Baby Octopus — tasty and seemed a bit healthier than the other choices * Slow Braised Dietzler Farms Meatballs– I’d probably skip next time, but I“m not really a meatball eating type of gal I must also give kudos to the complimentary seared beef bruchetta(yum) and one of the better homemade bread plates I’ve enjoyed. Entrees: I was in a chicken mood and at the waiter’s suggestion ordered the lemon-garlic-honey glazed rotisserie chicken. I wish they offered a half portion for this because it was waaayyy too much chicken for me(especially after all those tasty apps), but I enjoyed at least half the chick. And the side of leek bread pudding that came with it was even better. Next time I’d probably order my friend’s spice crusted farm raised cobia because the few bites I had were delicious(the half portion is the perfect size). Hubby sang the Ten Hour Braised Lamb many praises and my friend’s better half seemed to enjoy the pork confit special he ordered. Dessert: Poached apple filled with some crème-bruelee like cream. I think I was the only one who really loved it since I pretty much ate the whole thing. The service was perfect and they even handed us a package of cookies to take home. No room for cookies after that huge meal, but I’m sure I“ll enjoy them today!