This was a birthday dinner, so naturally the plan was to celebrate with a couple of drinks and maybe a few appetizers. Instead, we exercised absolutely no self restraint and turned it into a guided tour of the menu.
I started by asking our server, Ruth, what she would recommend for a drink. Trusting your server can be a gamble, but this time the odds were heavily in my favor. After asking us a couple of questions, she somehow knew that both my date and I would enjoy the Spanish Old Fashioned. Her intuition was spot on. Made with Torres Brandy, Licor 43, and orange zest, it was smooth, balanced, and disappeared far quicker than I had planned.
For my second drink, I ordered the Caipirão. The best way I can describe it is a mojito that skipped therapy and chose violence. Bright, refreshing, dangerously easy to drink, and exactly the sort of cocktail that convinces you everything is still under control.
We decided to sample a good portion of the appetizer menu, and Ruth paced everything perfectly. The smoked duck mousse arrived first, and my date needed the bread swapped for a gluten free option. It was accommodated without hesitation, which was greatly appreciated. If you've ever been curious about trying pâté, this is an excellent place to do it. The smoked duck mousse was delicate, approachable, and a great introduction if pâté has always seemed a little intimidating.
Next came the bacon wrapped dates and the boar's cheek.
If you're someone who normally avoids dates, don't let them scare you off. Paired with the balsamic glaze and cheese, the date itself is remarkably well hidden, leaving just enough of its subtle, nutty sweetness to bring the whole dish together.
The dates were fantastic, but the boar's cheek completely stole the show. It melted in your mouth and reminded me of an exceptionally well prepared beef brisket, despite the small technicality that it was, in fact, pork.
The grilled sardine fillets and garlic prawns rounded out the evening.
I came into the sardines carrying some emotional baggage from previous encounters. Thankfully, these redeemed the species.
A squeeze of lemon brought everything together beautifully, and they absolutely deserved a second chance. The garlic prawns were every bit as good, and the progression of dishes never felt too heavy or overly rich. Every course seemed to arrive exactly when it should, making the entire meal feel thoughtfully paced rather than rushed.
The real highlight of the evening, however, was Ruth.
I have an impressive track record of leaving restaurants without ever learning my server's name. If you asked me who served me last week, I'd probably tell you, "The guy with the tattoos," or, "The woman who silently appeared every time my water glass was empty." My reviews usually read like witness statements.
This time, I actually asked Ruth for her name because I wanted to give credit where it was due. She read the table exceptionally well, timed our drinks and every course perfectly, knew the menu inside and out, and somehow managed to be attentive without making us feel supervised. Great service is one of those things you barely notice because everything simply works. Ruth made the entire evening feel effortless, and that takes real skill.