mikeop34 "A great dessert can save a meal!"

My family and I were guests of good family friends of ours who are also regulars here, so the service was fantastic. The chef came and talked to most of the customers, which is always refreshing to see, not just because of the friendliness but also to see a chef actually cooking at his restaurant! That certainly hasn’t happened at most high end restaurants I’ve been to in LA.

Given the large group, I got to try a lot of different things – prawns, scallops, steak, lobster risotto, different cheeses, and a couple desserts. The risotto was my favorite dish – balanced, well-seasoned, good lobster and mushroom flavor. The prawns were very fresh and tasty, but a bit overcooked – perhaps the salt-roasting method of cooking made it harder to time it? Other salt-roasted seafood I’ve had in fine dining restaurants has been overcooked too. The steak, a prime NY cut, was not bad – cooked properly but not that flavorful.

The cheeses were all really good – we stuck with 4 or 5 of the milder cheeses they had – and there was a huge variety we didn’t even get to try. Desserts were probably the weak point – more clever and adventurous than satisfying.

Prices seem too high given the location and portions. No entree less than $40. Most appetizers in the $25-30 range.