Hey everybody! Take a look at this!
http://mealclub-weds.blogspot.com/
They apparently have restaurants out in Oregon, too. While you might not be visiting these establishments, I'm sure Squid will give you some good reading material and important information if you ever visit the Pacific Northwest. He travels a lot more than I, so you can expect to see a pretty wide range of eateries reviewed.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
Mas
Date
November 7, 2008
Location
Belmont, right by the Local and Belmont BBQ
501 Monticello Road
What I ate
Tortilla espanola, warm goat cheese and artichoke hearts spread, roasted pumpkin with sugar and lavender honey, Babaganoush, yellowfin tuna - grilled rare - with tomato aioli, cannelloni with chicken and roasted peppers
Who went
Matt, my mom and sister
Website
http://www.mastapas.com/
Thoughts
I've been here before, and the food is tasty, but I'm not sure I was really in the mood for tapas; I think that really shaped my perception of how good this meal was. The food was still tasty (with a few notable exceptions, see below) and I felt full, but I was mentally prepared for dinner and focusing on one large dish. I just wasn't thinking about working to take a bite of this, a sampling of that. If you're looking for tapas, this is a great place. If you're not actively seeking small portions of a variety of dishes and lots of conversation for dinner, you might want to steer clear.
First, the good. The tuna was delicious. I would've been very happy to get a big plate of this, concentrate on the tuna and just sample a few other things to supplement. It was well cooked with a great texture in the middle and somewhat crispy edges. The tomato aioli didn't have much flavor, but was a good complement. The goat cheese was very tasty and the Babaganoush was awesome. I don't generally like eggplant, but the seasoning was just right and it even had a little bit of a kick. I would be very content to just have these three dishes.
Now, the not-so-good. The tortilla espanola and cannelloni were just a little boring. They tasted alright, but they were a little bland. The cannelloni just needed a more spices but I'm not convinced the tortilla espanola can stand on its own like that. It'd be great under something or maybe with vegetables (peppers? onions? broccoli?) mixed into it. I don't want to mess with the dish, but to make it a bit more quiche like could be a good thing (tm). That leaves us with the pumpkin. It was just overdone. The skin stayed moist and helped the texture a little bit, but the meat was just mush that stayed in the oven a little too long. The sweet butter came through, but I don't think it is supposed to carry the dish; it didn't, but there was still something missing. The lavender honey could have saved this, but was barely noticeable. The squash part of this dish rotates with the seasons, so I'm not giving up on the idea, but I think the pumpkin, especially roasted for so long, is one to avoid.
Everything was good as far as non-food issues go. Our waiter was very nice and patient, answering any questions we had about specific dishes or about the tapas experience in general. We made it down to ice a few times in our glasses, but he returned with the pitcher of water shortly thereafter. The food arrived in spurts which a) was not told to us, b) probably depended on when certain dishes were finished cooking, and c) may have helped because I'm not sure we would've known what to do with 7 dishes in front of us. Yes, I only list 6, but there was a dish Matt had - I'll let him post his thoughts in the comments section if he so chooses. Given the quality of the ingredients and the thoughtfulness of the menu (it's fun to just read the menu and think about certain dishes) it's not that expensive. It's not cheap, but you can definitely get a good sampling of things and feel sated for around $20 after tax and tip.
Again, I really like the menu and enjoyed rereading it a few minutes ago when I double-checked what I ate. It's a little ham-heavy (in Spanish cooking? No me digas!) but there is plenty on there for vegetarians and even celiacs. I especially like the emphasis on integrating local ingredients when possible.
Recap
Pros - tasty food, good portions, excellent tapas experience overall, patient wait staff
Cons - some flavors were surprisingly bland
Overall - If you're in the mood for tapas, it's awesome. The food is tasty and the portions are appropriate. It's not cheap, but not overpriced, and the experience is just great. If you're not in the mood for tapas, you're probably going to leave a little disappointed, while still enjoying the food. I'm sure I'll be back, but I just have to make sure I'm in the right mindset for tapas. This place won Best of Cville for a reason.
November 7, 2008
Location
Belmont, right by the Local and Belmont BBQ
501 Monticello Road
What I ate
Tortilla espanola, warm goat cheese and artichoke hearts spread, roasted pumpkin with sugar and lavender honey, Babaganoush, yellowfin tuna - grilled rare - with tomato aioli, cannelloni with chicken and roasted peppers
Who went
Matt, my mom and sister
Website
http://www.mastapas.com/
Thoughts
I've been here before, and the food is tasty, but I'm not sure I was really in the mood for tapas; I think that really shaped my perception of how good this meal was. The food was still tasty (with a few notable exceptions, see below) and I felt full, but I was mentally prepared for dinner and focusing on one large dish. I just wasn't thinking about working to take a bite of this, a sampling of that. If you're looking for tapas, this is a great place. If you're not actively seeking small portions of a variety of dishes and lots of conversation for dinner, you might want to steer clear.
First, the good. The tuna was delicious. I would've been very happy to get a big plate of this, concentrate on the tuna and just sample a few other things to supplement. It was well cooked with a great texture in the middle and somewhat crispy edges. The tomato aioli didn't have much flavor, but was a good complement. The goat cheese was very tasty and the Babaganoush was awesome. I don't generally like eggplant, but the seasoning was just right and it even had a little bit of a kick. I would be very content to just have these three dishes.
Now, the not-so-good. The tortilla espanola and cannelloni were just a little boring. They tasted alright, but they were a little bland. The cannelloni just needed a more spices but I'm not convinced the tortilla espanola can stand on its own like that. It'd be great under something or maybe with vegetables (peppers? onions? broccoli?) mixed into it. I don't want to mess with the dish, but to make it a bit more quiche like could be a good thing (tm). That leaves us with the pumpkin. It was just overdone. The skin stayed moist and helped the texture a little bit, but the meat was just mush that stayed in the oven a little too long. The sweet butter came through, but I don't think it is supposed to carry the dish; it didn't, but there was still something missing. The lavender honey could have saved this, but was barely noticeable. The squash part of this dish rotates with the seasons, so I'm not giving up on the idea, but I think the pumpkin, especially roasted for so long, is one to avoid.
Everything was good as far as non-food issues go. Our waiter was very nice and patient, answering any questions we had about specific dishes or about the tapas experience in general. We made it down to ice a few times in our glasses, but he returned with the pitcher of water shortly thereafter. The food arrived in spurts which a) was not told to us, b) probably depended on when certain dishes were finished cooking, and c) may have helped because I'm not sure we would've known what to do with 7 dishes in front of us. Yes, I only list 6, but there was a dish Matt had - I'll let him post his thoughts in the comments section if he so chooses. Given the quality of the ingredients and the thoughtfulness of the menu (it's fun to just read the menu and think about certain dishes) it's not that expensive. It's not cheap, but you can definitely get a good sampling of things and feel sated for around $20 after tax and tip.
Again, I really like the menu and enjoyed rereading it a few minutes ago when I double-checked what I ate. It's a little ham-heavy (in Spanish cooking? No me digas!) but there is plenty on there for vegetarians and even celiacs. I especially like the emphasis on integrating local ingredients when possible.
Recap
Pros - tasty food, good portions, excellent tapas experience overall, patient wait staff
Cons - some flavors were surprisingly bland
Overall - If you're in the mood for tapas, it's awesome. The food is tasty and the portions are appropriate. It's not cheap, but not overpriced, and the experience is just great. If you're not in the mood for tapas, you're probably going to leave a little disappointed, while still enjoying the food. I'm sure I'll be back, but I just have to make sure I'm in the right mindset for tapas. This place won Best of Cville for a reason.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Rapture
Date
November 6, 2008
Location
Downtown Mall, right by 3rd street
What I ate
Thai bowl (sauteed vegetables and mushrooms with noodles in a spicy Thai sauce)
Who went
My mom and sister
Website
http://www.clubr2.com/
Thoughts
The food was pretty tasty although it lacked a certain something without a protein. Yes, they offer chicken, shrimp, or tofu, but the bowl is $14 without and $19 with a protein. They did a good job with the flavors, especially in the sauce and some of the vegetables - the crunch of the carrots was quite welcome - but I fear for the other levels of spiciness. I asked for mine hot (as opposed to mild or medium) and there was a bit of a kick, but not nearly what I expected from the highest level, especially on a Thai dish. That said, the slaw in my sister's Thai beef tacos was apparently very spicy and the accompanying mango sauce had a good kick to it. My mom had pasta with smoked salmon, which was apparently delicious. My bowl was quite filling and, like I said before, very tasty but something just felt missing; maybe I'll have to go back and splurge for a protein.
Our waitress was very nice and made good conversation. She also had no problem taking back my mom's initial dish - it had parmesan cheese on top, something not mentioned on the menu - and we didn't run out of water. She automatically added gratuity without telling us, but that could be because I used a coupon; I'm not sure. After a little initial confusion, it wasn't really a problem.
Recap
Pros - Good food, varied menu (I have to try the fish and chips), friendly service
Cons - Some things are overpriced, website is out of date (a few offerings listed there sound delicious but weren't on my menu tonight)
Overall - The food is good, the people are nice, but it's nothing amazing. It's worth a visit every so often, but I don't think there's anything on the menu that I'd get repeatedly.
November 6, 2008
Location
Downtown Mall, right by 3rd street
What I ate
Thai bowl (sauteed vegetables and mushrooms with noodles in a spicy Thai sauce)
Who went
My mom and sister
Website
http://www.clubr2.com/
Thoughts
The food was pretty tasty although it lacked a certain something without a protein. Yes, they offer chicken, shrimp, or tofu, but the bowl is $14 without and $19 with a protein. They did a good job with the flavors, especially in the sauce and some of the vegetables - the crunch of the carrots was quite welcome - but I fear for the other levels of spiciness. I asked for mine hot (as opposed to mild or medium) and there was a bit of a kick, but not nearly what I expected from the highest level, especially on a Thai dish. That said, the slaw in my sister's Thai beef tacos was apparently very spicy and the accompanying mango sauce had a good kick to it. My mom had pasta with smoked salmon, which was apparently delicious. My bowl was quite filling and, like I said before, very tasty but something just felt missing; maybe I'll have to go back and splurge for a protein.
Our waitress was very nice and made good conversation. She also had no problem taking back my mom's initial dish - it had parmesan cheese on top, something not mentioned on the menu - and we didn't run out of water. She automatically added gratuity without telling us, but that could be because I used a coupon; I'm not sure. After a little initial confusion, it wasn't really a problem.
Recap
Pros - Good food, varied menu (I have to try the fish and chips), friendly service
Cons - Some things are overpriced, website is out of date (a few offerings listed there sound delicious but weren't on my menu tonight)
Overall - The food is good, the people are nice, but it's nothing amazing. It's worth a visit every so often, but I don't think there's anything on the menu that I'd get repeatedly.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Milan
Date
November 5, 2008
Location
1817 Emmet Street
Just south of Hydraulic Road
What I ate
Chicken Saag - chicken with spinach and herbs
Who went
Miles, Lauren, Ryan, Matt, and Ellen
Website
http://www.milan-indian-cuisine.com/
ThoughtsDelicious! The food was quite tasty. They give the table a tray of jasmine rice and everyone takes some, adds some of what they ordered, and enjoys. It made sharing and sampling very easy. Everything I tried was good and most of the descriptions in the menu were accurate while a few were quite vague. A few of the dishes had a hint of sweetness in the sauces, but nothing was overpowering. I asked for my dish medium (options are mild, medium, medium-hot, hot, Indian hot) and there was essentially no kick. Matt had a dish at medium-hot and said the same thing. It would've been nice if they delivered on the spicy, but I guess they just went the safe route; a dish that is too spicy is much less enjoyable than one that isn't spicy enough.
It took a while for someone to come take our order and the waiter was tough to hear, both speaking somewhat quickly and not loudly. That said, no one ever had an empty water glass and, once ordered, the food arrived promptly. They also had no issues taking my coupon.
There doesn't seem to be a big range of tastes on the menu as most of the dishes sounded similar with just a different spice here or a change in the preparation there, but subtle variations on delicious dishes can still be delicious. I definitely missed a few of the items from the lunch buffet, which probably come a la carte, but that's one of the natural advantages to a buffet. I think I prefer the buffet to dinner, but the dinner options are definitely worth sampling.
Recap
Pros - Delicious food, tough to go wrong with the menu
Cons - The colors on the walls are horrible; the waiter was tough to understand and the menu doesn't feel too varied, but that's nit-picking.
Overall - Highly recommended. Just pick something that sounds good because it probably is. Definitely get the naan.
November 5, 2008
Location
1817 Emmet Street
Just south of Hydraulic Road
What I ate
Chicken Saag - chicken with spinach and herbs
Who went
Miles, Lauren, Ryan, Matt, and Ellen
Website
http://www.milan-indian-cuisine.com/
ThoughtsDelicious! The food was quite tasty. They give the table a tray of jasmine rice and everyone takes some, adds some of what they ordered, and enjoys. It made sharing and sampling very easy. Everything I tried was good and most of the descriptions in the menu were accurate while a few were quite vague. A few of the dishes had a hint of sweetness in the sauces, but nothing was overpowering. I asked for my dish medium (options are mild, medium, medium-hot, hot, Indian hot) and there was essentially no kick. Matt had a dish at medium-hot and said the same thing. It would've been nice if they delivered on the spicy, but I guess they just went the safe route; a dish that is too spicy is much less enjoyable than one that isn't spicy enough.
It took a while for someone to come take our order and the waiter was tough to hear, both speaking somewhat quickly and not loudly. That said, no one ever had an empty water glass and, once ordered, the food arrived promptly. They also had no issues taking my coupon.
There doesn't seem to be a big range of tastes on the menu as most of the dishes sounded similar with just a different spice here or a change in the preparation there, but subtle variations on delicious dishes can still be delicious. I definitely missed a few of the items from the lunch buffet, which probably come a la carte, but that's one of the natural advantages to a buffet. I think I prefer the buffet to dinner, but the dinner options are definitely worth sampling.
Recap
Pros - Delicious food, tough to go wrong with the menu
Cons - The colors on the walls are horrible; the waiter was tough to understand and the menu doesn't feel too varied, but that's nit-picking.
Overall - Highly recommended. Just pick something that sounds good because it probably is. Definitely get the naan.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Boylan Heights
Date
October 21, 2008
Location
102 14th Street NW
Where Orbitz used to be
What I ate
Gyro burger, seasoned fries
Who went
Matt, Jessie, Grandpa, Rowlf, Miles, Daniel, Tiff, and Nora
Thoughts
The first word that comes to mind is "underwhelming". It's not that the food was bad (it wasn't) there just wasn't much to it in general. The school theme became annoying very quickly and the menu is very limited. There are some places that can only offer a few things and it's fine because there's enough variety and quality, but this isn't one of them. I'm especially disappointed because I read a few good reviews, people raving about the quality of the food and the atmosphere, and both fell flat. Those who ordered the sweet potato fries said they were tasty, but the regular fries were just OK. I had to remind the waiter I ordered them but I really should have just let it go. The portions were on the smallish side while the prices weren't; burgers were $7 and sides were $3.
There were a few positive things. They were very flexible and able to accommodate our large party by moving around a few tables, though they just provided permission while we provided the labor. The beer selection looked good and the bar looked well-stocked; I'll have to check out the spirits after kickball one day since we get a discount. They have ample seating and plenty of televisions, so a Sunday afternoon with football and beer is an idea with potential. Overall though, it just wasn't exciting and, again, underwhelming seemed to be the word on everyone's mind.
RecapPros - the sweet potato fries are apparently quite good, they use local, organic beef
Cons - menu lacked variety, food is somewhat boring, overpriced
Overall - I sensed a bit of potential in the menu, so part of me wants to go back. But part of me also doesn't want to risk paying $12 or more for a burger and fries. I'll probably go back to check out the bar, but I don't think it'll be a dinner destination.
October 21, 2008
Location
102 14th Street NW
Where Orbitz used to be
What I ate
Gyro burger, seasoned fries
Who went
Matt, Jessie, Grandpa, Rowlf, Miles, Daniel, Tiff, and Nora
Thoughts
The first word that comes to mind is "underwhelming". It's not that the food was bad (it wasn't) there just wasn't much to it in general. The school theme became annoying very quickly and the menu is very limited. There are some places that can only offer a few things and it's fine because there's enough variety and quality, but this isn't one of them. I'm especially disappointed because I read a few good reviews, people raving about the quality of the food and the atmosphere, and both fell flat. Those who ordered the sweet potato fries said they were tasty, but the regular fries were just OK. I had to remind the waiter I ordered them but I really should have just let it go. The portions were on the smallish side while the prices weren't; burgers were $7 and sides were $3.
There were a few positive things. They were very flexible and able to accommodate our large party by moving around a few tables, though they just provided permission while we provided the labor. The beer selection looked good and the bar looked well-stocked; I'll have to check out the spirits after kickball one day since we get a discount. They have ample seating and plenty of televisions, so a Sunday afternoon with football and beer is an idea with potential. Overall though, it just wasn't exciting and, again, underwhelming seemed to be the word on everyone's mind.
RecapPros - the sweet potato fries are apparently quite good, they use local, organic beef
Cons - menu lacked variety, food is somewhat boring, overpriced
Overall - I sensed a bit of potential in the menu, so part of me wants to go back. But part of me also doesn't want to risk paying $12 or more for a burger and fries. I'll probably go back to check out the bar, but I don't think it'll be a dinner destination.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Buddhist Biker Bar
Date
October 9, 2008
Location
20 Elliewood Avenue
Just past the Biltmore
What I ate
Miles and I split the cheap date special - baked brie in a puff pastry, fettucini alfredo with grilled chicken for each of us, and a bottle of white wine
Who went
Miles, Sarah Tweedt, Liz, Sara Herbst, Patrick, Phil, Dan Brown, Suzie, Nora, Handy, Jessie
Thoughts
As described in an earlier post, Buddhist is the birthplace of WEDS, so we've been here a few times, but this was the first time I didn't get the steak and potatoes. It's tough to go wrong with the cheap date special at $25 unless you don't like one of the things included; the appetizer and entree are set earlier that evening. The brie was delicious and the pasta was alright. I should mention that I was fasting leading up to this as it was Yom Kippur, so maybe the brie wouldn't taste absolutely amazing on a not-as-empty stomach, but everyone else seemed to think it was great, too. The pasta needed a little seasoning as both the sauce and the chicken were relatively bland. A little salt and pepper really helped the dish. The wines weren't the highest quality stuff, but everyone seemed to enjoy what they picked; you had your choice of red or white. I don't generally like wine and I still had 3 glasses.
Our waiter did a great job considering how large of a group we had. He answered all of our questions and was pretty funny. The hostess was very accomodating as our party grew from 8 to 12 as people kept arriving (note to people, RSVP when I ask you to) and we were seated without a delay, though there wasn't space for 12 outside. There was very little upkeep once the food was served because we were taking care of our own drinks. I don't remember running out of water, but I don't remember the waiter refilling our glasses either, so I guess he did a good job with that.
We were at a long table and, while it worked great for us, I'm glad there weren't any couples at the small surrounding tables. A dressed-to-go-out girl arrived and climbed the steps every few minutes for about a half hour, so I'd imagine there was a sorority function going on upstairs, but we couldn't hear anything. The lights could've been turned up a little bit, but you could still see well enough. We had conversation going on all night both in pockets and across the table, but we were still able to hear Cake covering songs in the background. Having everyone sing along to Mahna Mahna after a glass of wine or two was awesome.
Recap
Pros - Great deal, nice atmosphere, the brie was awesome
Cons - The fettucini was a little bland
Overall - Make sure you and your date both like what they're serving, but this is a great idea for a Thursday date. Even if you're not going for the cheap date special, take a look at the menu because there are some other great things on there.
October 9, 2008
Location
20 Elliewood Avenue
Just past the Biltmore
What I ate
Miles and I split the cheap date special - baked brie in a puff pastry, fettucini alfredo with grilled chicken for each of us, and a bottle of white wine
Who went
Miles, Sarah Tweedt, Liz, Sara Herbst, Patrick, Phil, Dan Brown, Suzie, Nora, Handy, Jessie
Thoughts
As described in an earlier post, Buddhist is the birthplace of WEDS, so we've been here a few times, but this was the first time I didn't get the steak and potatoes. It's tough to go wrong with the cheap date special at $25 unless you don't like one of the things included; the appetizer and entree are set earlier that evening. The brie was delicious and the pasta was alright. I should mention that I was fasting leading up to this as it was Yom Kippur, so maybe the brie wouldn't taste absolutely amazing on a not-as-empty stomach, but everyone else seemed to think it was great, too. The pasta needed a little seasoning as both the sauce and the chicken were relatively bland. A little salt and pepper really helped the dish. The wines weren't the highest quality stuff, but everyone seemed to enjoy what they picked; you had your choice of red or white. I don't generally like wine and I still had 3 glasses.
Our waiter did a great job considering how large of a group we had. He answered all of our questions and was pretty funny. The hostess was very accomodating as our party grew from 8 to 12 as people kept arriving (note to people, RSVP when I ask you to) and we were seated without a delay, though there wasn't space for 12 outside. There was very little upkeep once the food was served because we were taking care of our own drinks. I don't remember running out of water, but I don't remember the waiter refilling our glasses either, so I guess he did a good job with that.
We were at a long table and, while it worked great for us, I'm glad there weren't any couples at the small surrounding tables. A dressed-to-go-out girl arrived and climbed the steps every few minutes for about a half hour, so I'd imagine there was a sorority function going on upstairs, but we couldn't hear anything. The lights could've been turned up a little bit, but you could still see well enough. We had conversation going on all night both in pockets and across the table, but we were still able to hear Cake covering songs in the background. Having everyone sing along to Mahna Mahna after a glass of wine or two was awesome.
Recap
Pros - Great deal, nice atmosphere, the brie was awesome
Cons - The fettucini was a little bland
Overall - Make sure you and your date both like what they're serving, but this is a great idea for a Thursday date. Even if you're not going for the cheap date special, take a look at the menu because there are some other great things on there.
The Local
DateOctober 16, 2008
Location
824 Hinton Avenue
Right between Mas, Belmont BBQ, and La Taza
What I ate
Appetizer - House made mozzarella,roasted peppers, grilled bread, and sea salt
Entree - Braised beef short ribs with potatoes, carrots, and pearl onions
Who went
Nora, Suzie, and Matt
Website
http://www.thelocal-cville.com/
Thoughts
The food was great. The locavore in me loves the emphasis on local ingredients and I spent a lot of time reading over the menu planning out future trips. It is a bit expensive to visit regularly - appetizers are $6-$8, pastas are $12-$15, entrees are about $16-$18 - but it really isn't overpriced. The portions were generous and the food was rich and filling, though Nora said her dish was a bit too rich. No one had any room left in their stomach for dessert, but they all sounded delicious. I'm excited about going back in a few weeks, especially if they vary their menu with the seasons. I didn't get a good chance to look over the drink menu, but it seemed like they have a very well-stocked bar leaning towards the higher end in general.
Our waiter was really nice, even though it seemed like he was relatively new. He was very helpful and our relatively small glasses of water were never empty. Their menu says they will not split checks for groups larger than 4, but it was just 4 of us and there was no issue. The place was relatively empty, but we didn't get there until 7:15 and the hostess told me the reservation I made, while unnecessary at 7:15, would've been a very good idea just an hour earlier.
The lighting was a little on the dim side of ideal and would vary from time to time, but you could still read the menu and see your fellow diners. They generally played good music though I'm not sure Dave Matthews counts as a "local ingredient". It doesn't look like a good place to bring a large group, but there is plenty of seating, both inside and outside. Had we arrived earlier, I'd imagine we would've really enjoyed eating outside since it was a crisp, cool evening.
Recap
Pros - delicious food, nice atmosphere
Cons - a little expensive (though not overpriced), no parking in Belmont
Overall - Highly recommended, just not more than every few weeks
Location
824 Hinton Avenue
Right between Mas, Belmont BBQ, and La Taza
What I ate
Appetizer - House made mozzarella,roasted peppers, grilled bread, and sea salt
Entree - Braised beef short ribs with potatoes, carrots, and pearl onions
Who went
Nora, Suzie, and Matt
Website
http://www.thelocal-cville.com/
Thoughts
The food was great. The locavore in me loves the emphasis on local ingredients and I spent a lot of time reading over the menu planning out future trips. It is a bit expensive to visit regularly - appetizers are $6-$8, pastas are $12-$15, entrees are about $16-$18 - but it really isn't overpriced. The portions were generous and the food was rich and filling, though Nora said her dish was a bit too rich. No one had any room left in their stomach for dessert, but they all sounded delicious. I'm excited about going back in a few weeks, especially if they vary their menu with the seasons. I didn't get a good chance to look over the drink menu, but it seemed like they have a very well-stocked bar leaning towards the higher end in general.
Our waiter was really nice, even though it seemed like he was relatively new. He was very helpful and our relatively small glasses of water were never empty. Their menu says they will not split checks for groups larger than 4, but it was just 4 of us and there was no issue. The place was relatively empty, but we didn't get there until 7:15 and the hostess told me the reservation I made, while unnecessary at 7:15, would've been a very good idea just an hour earlier.
The lighting was a little on the dim side of ideal and would vary from time to time, but you could still read the menu and see your fellow diners. They generally played good music though I'm not sure Dave Matthews counts as a "local ingredient". It doesn't look like a good place to bring a large group, but there is plenty of seating, both inside and outside. Had we arrived earlier, I'd imagine we would've really enjoyed eating outside since it was a crisp, cool evening.
Recap
Pros - delicious food, nice atmosphere
Cons - a little expensive (though not overpriced), no parking in Belmont
Overall - Highly recommended, just not more than every few weeks
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