Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
My Kimchi Smoke article was just published on Jersey Bites. I love what Robert Cho and team are doing and it’s some of the best brisket I’ve had.
A must-visit place for my NJ/NY readers!
Kimchi Smoke
49 W. Church St.
Bergenfield
201-338-8333
Cheers,
Veronique
My job has me on the road more than not and while I’m away from home, I’m going to be sure I have some fantastic meals.
From coast to coast, north to south, over the Atlantic and back, I’ve narrowed down all the great dishes I’ve enjoyed in 2015 into a top 15 list, in restaurant name alphabetical order.
Anthony David’s – Hoboken, NJ. Cacio e Pepe. I basically wanted to lick the plate after devouring this amazing pasta dish that was part of Chef Pino’s 10-course Monday night tasting menu.
Blu – Montclair, NJ (now closed). Crispy Duck Carbonara. I had the chance to enjoy this decadent dish right before Chef Zod shuttered the popular Essex County restaurant this summer.
The Cannibal – New York, NY. Bone Marrow Brulée. Perfectly-grilled bread, soft scrambled eggs, salt-studded grilled marrow – what could be better?
Escape – Montclair, NJ. Seared Foie Gras. Continuing on the “what could be better?” questioning…this. Chef Gregg is the king of foie and this seared version paired with corn bread was a winner.
Fricassée – Montclair, NJ. Cassoulet. This is perhaps the best cassoulet I’ve enjoyed. Tons of meaty pieces hidden under the perfectly-cooked beans. Top this whole thing with a confit duck leg? Oui!
Geranium – Copenhagen, Denmark. Smoked Leg of Wild Duck. This was one of the many memorable dishes served during our group’s tasting dinner at this top Danish restaurant (see full recap here).
Hot & Soul – Ft Lauderdale, FL. Squid Steak. This place does everything right including a version of squid, a steak, that’s topped with olives and a perfect acidy pop.
Kinton Ramen – Toronto, Canada. Pork Belly Garlic Ramen. I’d been drooling over Kinton’s Instagram photos for a while so knew I had to drop by on a business trip to Toronto.
L’Express – Montreal, Canada. Beef Tartare. Can’t go wrong with anything featured on this classic Plateau restaurant. The tartare actually tastes like beef and has a perfect level of acidity and heat.
Roberta’s – Brooklyn, NY. Stracciatella. I know you go to Roberta’s for pizza but this starter – milky, melt-in-your-mouth fresh Mozzarella ‘stands’ served with perfectly-grilled bread is fantastic.
Ryland Inn – Whitehouse Station, NJ. Eggs Canapé. Scrambled duck eggs with lobster, caviar and uni – AMAZING.
Spoon & Stable – Minneapolis, MN. Squid Ink Seafood Pasta. Had an outstanding meal at Chef Gavin Kaysen’s new MSP restaurant but the star of the meal with the gorgeous and flavorful seafood pasta.
Stages at One Washington – Dover, NH. Flying Goat Farms Camembert, Lime Basil Custard, Green Strawberry. It’s a bit odd I’d pick another dessert for this list as I’ll always go for cheeses vs dessert if the choice is given, BUT, this dessert features stellar locally-sourced Camembert! Best dinner of 2015 by Chef Evan Hennessey – a must-visit (read about this dinner).
Terre à Terre – Carlstadt, NJ. Duck Prosciutto Canapé. I was fortunate to have been invited to Chef Villani’s dinner at the famous James Beard House this summer where guests were served house-made duck Prosciutto as a canape.
Toro – New York, NY. Cuttlefish Risotto with Squid Ink and Jamon. I loved the whole vibe of Toro including eating at the chef’s counter. Of all the tasty tapas we enjoyed, the cuttlefish dish was the greatest.
Hope you had tasty bites in 2015 and wish you all the best for 2016.
Cheers,
Veronique
Last month, after a business trip to London, I visited friends who moved to Copenhagen. While the purpose of the trip was to see where our friends and experience the city they’ve moved to, we knew food and wine would be an integral part of the long weekend.
From intimate bistros to Michelin-starred restaurants, Copenhagen has it all. The vibrant food scene is among the world’s most creative and it offers options for all budgets. According to the 2015 Guide Michelin Nordic Cities, 18 stars have been awarded to 15 restaurants in Copenhagen – the highest number ever.
Here are overviews of some of the restaurants we visited.
Geranium
Geranium boasts two Michelin stars in the 2015 Nordic Cities guide. In 2015, it also ranked the 51 Best Restaurant in the World in 2015 by Restaurant Magazine. Who’s heading that award-winning kitchen? Rasmus Kofoed the 2011 Bocuse D’Or winner.
Our friends chose this restaurant as they’re making their way through the Best Restaurant in the World list. Some diners will have sticker shock at the prices (dinner and lunch pricing is the same): 1800 DKK (USD $265) for tasting dinner, an extra 1400 DKK (USD $205) for the wine pairing or 700 DKK (USD $102) if a juice pairing is preferred. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance and patrons will need every bit of that time to secure a table.
The space is located on the 8th floor of a non-descript building with sweeping views of the city on clear days and nights. The vibe is elegant meets minimalistic yet has a very comfortable atmosphere. The open kitchen features glass walls and pristinely-clean work spaces. We got to know this when our 4th amuse-bouche was served in the kitchen with Chefs posing for photos with us – not exactly Nordic cool and aloof – simply welcoming.
Chef Kofoed is known to transform local ingredients into edible work of Nordic art. From the very first amuse-bouche (there were four) to the petits-fours, each bite was both intrinsically-beautiful and incredibly delicious. As one would expect of this caliber restaurant, ingredients were pristine, luxurious and prepared masterly by the extensive kitchen staff. The tasting menu typically ranges from 15-20 dishes.
As expected, the wine list is extensive, creative and mostly costly. The restaurant uses Coravin and offers very impressive wines by the glass as a result.
The staff could be snooty and overly-stuffy but each member is young, welcoming, professional yet casual. I don’t mean ‘casual’ as in less than stellar as the polished team isn’t that. Each staff member truly behaves as if he/she is delighted to be waiting on their guests….even the Sommeliers are approachable and unpretentious.
Geranium is an incredible experience. Everything from the space to the food to the staff and the wines was very special and memorable.
Amass
Dining at Amass was my special request while in Copenhagen. Chef Matt Orlando, whose culinary resumé reads like a dream: Aureole, Le Bernardin, The Fat Duck and most-recently, Noma. With such a pedigree, one might expect Amass to resemble these formal places, but it’s anything but. The building where Amass is located is literally in the middle of nowhere. Diners climb up a flight of stairs outside before reaching the front door. When I walked in, I was pleasantly-surprised to hear hip hop playing at an energetic volume level and to see graffiti on the walls. All I could think was – good for this guy, he got out and is now doing his thing. The restaurant actually goes out of its way to state there’s no dress code.
Three guests at our table opted for the six-course “Current Menu” for 595 DKK (USD $87) while one chose the three-course “Simplicity Menu” also priced at 595 DKK (pairing of four wines 395 DKK – USD $58). The simplicity menu features a choice of either monkfish or dry-aged beef, which is displayed in ageing coolers as guests enter Amass. The current menu changes daily based on the freshest ingredients available from purveyors and on the evening we visited, we enjoyed:
While every dish was outstanding, if I had to pick a winner, it’d be the scrambled egg – stellar dish.
A neat feature of Amass is what’s known as Table 153, a communal table where four to eight guests are seated together randomly where a chef’s menu is served at a cost of 695 DKK (USD $102).
The wine list’s categories are epic: grape free, safe & solid and wild & crazy. Prices vary wildly but there are some good/affordable finds.
While I loved Geranium and I believe everyone should visit at least once, if I lived in Copenhagen with access to these restaurants, I’d rather do two dinners at Amass than one at Geranium.
Hija de Sanchez
Tacos in Denmark? Yes if done this well by former Noma pastry chef Rosio Sanchez. Hija de Sanchez is a tacos stand situated in the Torvehallerne Market of Copenhagen.
While ingredients features in the tacos are sourced locally, dried corn for the hand-made tortillas is imported from a small cooperative in Oaxaca Mexico, along with aged chilies. We opted for a sampler trio of some of the best tacos I’ve enjoyed anywhere in the world.
For breakfasts, we grabbed pastries…yes, stereotypical Danishes. I’m not usually a sweets person in the morning, but when I Copenhagen, one does Danishes. We also tried a Danish hot dog with the lauded red snappy wieners – truly not for me.
The trip was indeed a foodie success yet I know there are so many other places to try. Perhaps on a future visit.
Cheers,
Veronique
I’m using “Prince” instead of “King” as I’m not convinced this is THE best burger in the Garden State. Is it a very good burger? There’s no doubt about it.
After seeing review after review about Krug’s Tavern having the best burger in New Jersey and after my girlfriend Lisa, whose burger palate I completely respect, also raved about the place after a recent visit, I decided to schlep to Newark to check it out for myself.
I’ll make three lists to help evaluate this place and the burger:
Why some might not like Krug/this burger but I’m fine with it:
The Good:
Dislikes:
The staff is friendly and helpful. The place is a real winner and knows what it’s good at and just does it. The best part about Krug’s Tavern is that it also knows what it’s NOT good at and stays away from it.
118 Wilson Ave, Newark, NJ 07105. (973) 465-9795
Cheers,
Veronique
Last weekend, I was invited to brunch at Raval Tapas Bar & Cocktail Lounge in Jersey City. “El Brunch”, as it’s known at the already-popular restaurant, is served every Saturday and Sunday, from 12PM – 4PM and diners can opt to order off the à la carte menu or pay $35/person for all-you-can-eat brunch food with $1 mimosas, sangria, bloody Marys or Estrella Damm Draft. The all-you-can-eat offer is valid for a 2-hour window and everyone at the table must participate.
Raval, which opened in late May 2015, is the new dining establishment by Restaurant Development Group’s (RDG), whose sister restaurant, Satis Bistro, and brother dive bar, Lucky 7 Tavern, are both also in Jersey City. Raval was named after the Barcelona neighborhood that went from being a run-down place to one thriving with arts, entertainment and food scene. Jersey City went through a similar transformation in the last 5-10 years, so the name’s fitting.
The restaurant is eclectic with very distinct looks within the space – light, bright curved cement banquettes near the entrance, a vibrant red-tiled bar mid-space, backlit black and white leather banquettes in the back and an area with tall tables off the bar to accommodate the bar overflow. There’s also a spacious downstairs area often used for special events and where the vibe turns clubish in the evenings. The design elements are all evocative of Barcelona.
At Raval, Executive Chef Michael Fiorianti and Chef de Cuisine Ed Radich have created a flavorful menu of shareable Spanish tapas. Not to be outdone by the cuisine, mixologist Joe Donohue (Kolo Klub) has created a beverage program like no other in the area. There’s an extensive menu of more than 80 Spanish wines, hand-crafted signature cocktails and several house-made Sangrias and Spanish ciders. I enjoyed a cocktail I’ll be trying to recreate at home, the Paloma Rose ($12) – Vodka, grapefruit, lime, Rioja peppercorn.
For our meal, our group shared the following:
Shisito Fritos ($8) – fried Padron peppers sprinkled with Maldon sea salt. The combination of spicy and salty was pleasant and we snacked on the diminutive peppers throughout brunch.
Jamon Serrano ($10) – hand-carved, dry-cured Spanish ham. A simply delicious charcuterie board.
Plato de Queso ($12) – chef selection of cheeses. While all were outstanding, the blue was stellar.
Merguez y Huevo al Horno ($12) – call this the Spanish Benedict. House-made Merguez sausage patty served with a poached egg, Hollandaise sauce and Harissa with toasted bread crumbs.
Bikini Sobrasada ($9) – this is the Spanish version of a grilled cheese with Morcilla and Manchego cheese. Gooey, spicy and on great bread.
Bistec y Revueltos ($12) – Angus beef tenderloin served with soft scrambled eggs and piri piri sauce. The beef was beautifully-cooked and the piri piri a perfect way to cut through the richness of the meat.
Paella Bomba ($18) – the classic Spanish dish with the typical Chorizo and Morcilla but with the decadent addition of pork belly confit then topped with a fried egg. This was a favorite with our group because of the perfectly-cooked rice, flavorful meats and the runny egg.
On my next visit, I’ll try the Albóndigas ($10) – lamb meatballs, toasted pine nuts with saron tomato sauce and the Bocadillo de Tortilla Española ($8) – baked potato, garlic and onion omelet with aioli, goat cheese and grilled asparagus.
We ended our flavorful meal with the Sevilla Churros ($9) with rich espresso chocolate sauce and the Torrijas Spanish French Toast ($9) served with burnt honey orange compote and cinnamon sugar.
Raval is a fun place to visit and the food was solid and perfect for sharing among friends. I’m looking forward to returning.
Raval – 136 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07302. Reservations can be made online or by calling Raval at 201-209-1099.
PS: Raval holds a daily happy hour from 5PM – 7PM that’s likely one of the best values in town – $5 house wine, $5 house sangrias ($15 pitchers), $5 draft beers and $5 well drinks.
Cheers,
Veronique
My View
In the last two years, New Hampshire has produced three semifinalists for a James Beard Award – the food industry’s version of the Oscars. One of these talented chefs is Evan Hennessey, Chef and Co-Owner of Stages at One Washington.
After finding this culinary gem in its unlikely location, we quickly realized Stages doesn’t sell out most nights from walk-in diners. Stages is situated on the third floor of what, at-first-glance, appears to be an industrial warehouse but is in fact the historic Washington Street mill in Dover, NH. Stages is a dining experience like no other. The award-winning restaurant serves what it dubs “Progressive New England” cuisine. The ingredients used by Chef Hennessey and his team are, as would be expected of this type of restaurant, farmed, foraged and fished within New England.
Using his “what grows together goes together’ mentality, Chef Hennessey conceptualizes and delivers dishes that could feature fish cooked with seaweed or boar paired with produce the animal grazed on.
Chef Hennessey
About Chef Evan Hennessey
Chef Hennessey, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu at the Atlantic Culinary Academy, is an award-winning chef who’s cooked alongside iconic culinary masterminds including Charlie Palmer, Grant Achatz, Andrew Carmellini and Thomas Keller. With a résumé showcasing stints at Per Se, Café Boulud and Aureole, Chef Hennessey now applies his classical French techniques to create artistically inspired dishes with downhome New England flair. Chef Hennessey was a semifinalist for Best Chef Northeast at the James Beard Awards in 2014 and was also a 2014 StarChefs.com Rising Star Chef Winner for Coastal New England.
Prix-Fixe & Tasting Menus
There are three dining options at Stages: four, eight and 10-course prix-fixe tasting menus. These experiences are offered from Wednesday through Saturday and guests typically sit in the kitchen at a table accommodating nine guests. On special events nights, patrons can opt to eat in the dining room.
On the evening we visited, we had the pleasure of sitting at the kitchen counter with a unique bird’s eye view of the chefs crafting dishing with a unique opportunity to interact with the chefs throughout the evening. The four-course menu is $45, with optional wine pairings for an additional $30. I couldn’t help but tell Chef Hennessey that he should be charging more for this prix fixe option – $45??!! The 10-course tasting menu is $105 with optional wine pairings for an additional $50. There’s also what’s dubbed “8 for $80” and that’s the option we selected with wine pairings for an extra $40.
I’d be hard-pressed to determine which dishes we enjoyed best as every single morsel of food was stellar. Some stand-outs among a lineup of culinary gems:
Duck Egg, Spigariello, Potato, Summer Squashes, Thyme – the duck egg was, predictably, perfectly-cooked, runny yet thickly unctuous. Spigariello is a leafy green similar to rapini that’s slightly peppery and a perfect contrast to the richness of the yolk.
Carbonara, Capellini, Duck Prosciutto, Spring Peas, Cream – I’d seen a photo of this dish on Chef’s Instagram and commented that I hoped it’d still be on the menu when I visited. When Chef Hennessey served us this incredible dish, he said with a grin “This is the dish you’ve been waiting for”. This light-yet-rich dish was beyond any descriptors I can muster – perhaps the best pasta dish I’ve had.
Oyster Stew, Sea Blight, Sea Rocket, Agretti, Smoked Pollock Cracker, Brown Butter – beautifully cooked, plump oysters in a decadent, buttery broth complemented by briny sea rocket and a texturally-pleasing smoked Pollock cracker.
NH Boar, Kohlrabi, Turnip, Beets, Kale, Mustard – the expertly-cooked boar served with the rich “gratin” of turnip was smartly paired with tangy beets.
Cod, Agretti, Oyster Chip, Oyster Sauce – the cod, with its nicely seared exterior, was moist and served with a pleasingly-salty oyster broth that I was tempted to slurp right off the plate.
Mushroom, Envy Soybeans, Herbs, Flowers – a true work of art with earthy flavors and a bit of zip from diminutive flowers Chef Hennessey picked off a plant in a pot on the counter.
Chocolates, Salt, Strawberry, Black Currant, Great Hill blue, Thai Basil – not to be outdone by the starters and entrées, the desserts were masterpieces. The various chocolate presentations, tanginess of the currant and the licorice notes of the Thai basil made for a perfect ending to a perfect meal.
Flyer Goat Farms Camembert, Lime Basil Custard, Sumac, Pineapple Weed, Green Strawberries – this is likely the most beautiful, elegant and delicious dessert I’ve had. The rich, melty Camembert was an interesting contrast to the refreshing citrusy custard and the sweet/tart green strawberries.
We reside near New York City and are world travelers and we agreed this was one of the very best meals we’ve had. From the intimate space to the smart wine list to the friendliness of the staff to the magnificent food, our visit to Stages will live on in our minds for a long time.
Reservations should be made in advance due to the intimate size of the dining room and chef’s counter and can be placed online or by calling 603-842-4077.
Stages at One Washington – One Washington Street, Suite 325 Dover, NH 03820 603-842-4077.
Cheers,
Veronique
Twice a month, Terre à Terre turns its dining room into a supper club where folks who have a passion for seasonal, local foods gather, often at a communal table, to enjoy a themed meal.
Up until now, Chef Todd Villani has personally selected the themes and menus, but over time, his guests will offer ideas for themes, speakers and guest chefs.
A couple weeks ago, I joined a convivial group for the “Italian Godfather Dinner” supper club. Chef Villani, of Italian decent, prepared his own version of traditional Sunday supper, with a modern twist. The menu featured house made Focaccia with herb and roasted garlic oil for guests to share, a summer vegetable bruschetta, Insalata Caprese, Sunday Gravy, veal Marsala and a cannoli.
The Caprese salad offered fresh local Mozzarella, basil, Cappicolla and Jersey tomato. The Mozzarella was from Antonio Mozzarella and was some of the best I’ve had in the area. The traditional Sunday Gravy was prepared with love by Chef Villani and is a take on a family recipe he modified to suit his own taste. The thick tomato sauce simmered for hours and was packed with braciole, meatballs and ribs. The veal Marsala featured Shibumi-cultivated mushrooms and aged Marsala. It wouldn’t have been a true “Godfather” dinner without a cannoli for dessert. The shell was properly crunchy and the goat ricotta gave a light tang that I enjoyed. The dinner was peppered with Italian music, which added a nice touch to the evening.
The next Supper Club will be on 8/19 and the theme is “From the Sea”. Chef Villani will prepare a 5-course dinner featuring the freshest seafood on the market. The cost of the dinner will be $87.63 (including tax and gratuity) and seats can be secured by calling Terre à Terre at 201-507-0500 or by visiting the website.
Terre à Terre is BYO but serves local wine from Unionville.
312 Hackensack Street, Carlstadt, NJ.
Cheers,
Veronique
A couple weeks ago, I posted about Francesco Palmieri, Chef/Owner of the popular The Orange Squirrel in Bloomfield, offering a new weekday, $13, Three-Course Express Lunch.
While I know Chef Palmieri’s food is outstanding from numerous visits, I just had to go see if $13 could really get me three delicious courses. Boy was I impressed!
Lunch includes a choice of soup, a salad and a choice of specialty sandwich (all are served with fries or giardiniera pickled vegetables).
My guest and I were treated to a perfectly-fried zucchini blossom picked from Chef Palmieri’s garden. No, this isn’t part of the standard lunch menu, but the chef has an abundant blossoms crop and treated us to this magical little bite. #KingOfTheBlossoms.
My guest ordered the Vegan BLT, a chilled smoked tomato “soup” that is poured tableside into a bowl garnished with crispy kale and fakon crumble. Since I’m…me, I had no idea that fakon is fake-bacon (sorry, vegetarian bacon) but, while I hate to admit it, it tasted just like bacon and complemented the soup beautifully.
I opted for the soup of the day which was mussel bisque. This comforting soup had tons of pleasantly briny mussel flavors, a rich, velvety texture and perfectly-cooked, plump mussels. It was a winner.
Next came a Cabernet vinaigrette-dressed salad featuring ultra fresh bibb lettuce from Chef Palmieri’s garden. The simple salad was gilded with fried shallots and paper-thin radish slices.
For our sandwiches, we opted for the BBQ Pulled Duck Confit and the Pan Fried Perch Fish. The generous portion of decadent duck confit was dressed in a tangy barbeque sauce and served on toasted French bread – outstanding. While the perch was fried, it was done so with a stealth hand with the bare minimum of coating on the fresh fish. The sandwich is served with lettuce, tomato, onion and a tangy, house-made tartar sauce that I need the recipe for. Both sandwiches were served with well-made, properly-salted fries.
Each month, Chef Palmieri’s wife concocts what is known as the Dirts – three mousse-like desserts served in single serve glasses. As an additional indulgence, we sprung for the July trio – strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. All three were delicious but my favorite was the strawberry version with its shortcake flavors – a must order item.
The Express Lunch is available from Monday through Friday between 12:15PM – 2:45PM for dine-in or pick-up.
410 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 / phone: 973-337-6421/ www.opentable.com
Cheers,
Veronique
Last week, I was invited to join a small group to sample some of the new dishes and drinks offered at Crystal Springs Resort’s Chef’s Garden.
The Chef’s Garden has a new Chef, a new menu and a new drinks program. What’s not new is how gorgeous the space is. Adjacent to a fantasy-like garden of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, guests dine al fresco, under an impermeable canvas roof, to intoxicating aromas of grilling meats and scenic views of the Kittatinny Mountain Range.
The food offered in the Chef’s Garden is grilled over an open fire – no gas or electric cooking. The open kitchen, with its various cooking stations, provides diners a theatrical view of the food being prepared.
The new menu created by Chef Anthony Bucco and his team showcases true “garden-to-table” dining with some of the produce, herbs and flowers used in the kitchen harvested in the nearby garden.
The starters we tried were the Deviled Eggs and the Heirloom Tomatoes. The deviled eggs were beautifully-presented, with good tang, crunch from a small piece of red onion and fresh corn flavor from a corn shoot. The tomatoes were ripe, juicy and served with goat cheese, fresh basil leaves and moist corn bread croutons – a perfect dish to enjoy in the garden.
Our entrées spanned across many categories and flavors. The dishes we shared were the Pastrami Rubbed Brisket, Grilled Shrimp Tacos, Paprika Rubbed Skirt Steak and two different flatbreads: Carbonara and Margherita. I’m weak for brisket and this version was juicy, with the perfect meat-to-fat ratio and big beefy flavors – a winner. The tacos were okay and featured nicely cooked extra-large shrimps, could-be-better tortillas, guacamole and grilled scallions, lemons, shallots and cherry tomatoes. The skirt steak was beautifully-cooked to a medium-rare temperature and served with heirloom radishes and an outstanding potato salad. The flatbreads were perfect for sharing as each was cut in individual portions. The Carbonara with its Pancetta, Pecorino and egg was a favorite at our table – rich and salty goodness. The Margherita version was also good but the tomato sauce that was smeared on the dough wasn’t as light and fresh as it needed to be to match the vibrant flavors of the fresh basil and cherry tomatoes that crowned the flatbread.
Desserts were over-the-top, whimsical and indulgent – S’mores, Pots de Crème and Strawberry Shortcake. The three desserts were served in glass jars which made it somewhat difficult for us to share. The S’mores combined hand-made marshmallows, Graham cracker crumbs and a chocolate layer – my favorite of the three desserts. The chocolatey pots de crème were decadent with some spiced notes. The shortcake featured good quality biscuits, airy whipped cream and garden-fresh strawberries.
New to the Chef’s Garden is an onsite mixologist who’s created an interesting drinks menu with hand-made bitters and juices, local liquors and an all-American wine list. I enjoyed a Rosé of Cabernet Franc by Finger Lakes’ Anthony Road Wine Company.
The Chef’s Garden at Crystal Springs’ Grand Cascades Lodge brings fresh and local dining to a whole new level, in an idyllic setting.
Hours of operations: Dinner served Friday & Saturday: 5pm-10pm. Lunch served Saturday & Sunday: 11am-4pm. No reservations – first come, first served.
Cheers,
Veronique
I was excited to have breakfast at Dirty French last weekend, but never again. The space is super cute with lots of kitsch and neat ornamental features – promises of good things to come….empty promises, unfortunately.
Food was just okay. The blackened salmon on my bagel had an acrid off-putting flavor I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but when I sliced the charred bitter layer off, it was a decent bagel and “lox”. My husband’s omelet was fine but the eggs weren’t fluffy and light, like a French omelet should be. Coffee was strong, really strong. Perhaps something I would have enjoyed more on a morning-after kind of morning.
Service is really what killed it. There simply wasn’t any. Our waiter asked if we were familiar with the continental breakfast and started telling us, then stopped mid-sentence and asked if we were guests of the hotel, we said no, and he told us this breakfast wasn’t available to us. This set the tone for the rest of his “service” to us. Our food order taken 15 minutes later, food arrived 10 minutes after that, about 10 minutes after the last of our strong coffee was gone without an offer to refill. After waiting yet another 15 minutes for our check, to end the madness, and asking for it three times with various members of the staff, the manager came over to ask if there was anything wrong. I told her I’d be leaving in exactly 2 minutes whether I had a check or not to which she simply said breakfast was on her. She totally didn’t get it. I told her we wanted to pay for breakfast and to please, please bring me a check. She returns with a check with a zero balance. This might seem like a nice gesture but it just added to the bad experience and seemed to be a habitual replacement for actual service.
After leaving a gratuity, we left with promises to not return. Looking around at the nearly 10 tables waiting impatiently for a check with wallets on the table, I’m guessing we aren’t the only ones sharing the sentiment.
Cheers,
Veronique
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