Daniel

Daniel 4 Mai 2011 à 23:41  

Appréciation générale :

Laurel W. (989 pts de réputation)

Mon français écrit n'est pas bon, donc: The look of the restaurant is very architectural with columns, arches and draperies surrounding the main dining area with additional tables on a surrounding the main dining area with additional tables on a slightly elevated area surrounding. There is a hum of noise but somehow, we never really heard others’ conversations intruding into our conversation. The colours create a warm golden look, classical music plays softly in the background, and the staff are calm, polite and efficient. Other diners are well dressed, men mostly in suits with a tie, and are generally older, although there was one family with two well dressed and well behaved girls aged between 6 and 10 years. It all makes for a rather intimate feel when dining – just us and the serving staff interacted. The other diners were mere objects for observation. Dinner started with a three tiered tray of amuse bouches: smoked sturgeon, a flavourful potato mousse quenelle, a tiny truffle quiche and parmesan cheese crust with a garlicky creme fraiche dollop in the center. We enjoyed them while reviewing the menu and the very extensive wine list. A tasting menu or a three course prix fixe is offered. Neither of us were up to the 9 courses for the tasting menu even though we were assured the dishes are small. The prix fixe is $96 with supplements, $15, for example, if you pick dishes such as foie gras. For starters, my dining companion had a classic seared fois gras with poached fruit which he thought was one of the best he had ever had. I had a chicken consomme which was delicate and light but punctuated with the contrasting rich pieces of fois gras and the texture of bits of pasta. My dining companion had the duo of beef which consisted of some very tasty braised short ribs with a rib steak. It also came with an incredibly flavourful potato accompaniment. I had rack of lamb, one rib done with African spices, the other with a paprika crust. They were both very good as was the eggplant and peppers which accompanied it. We had what we thought was a very reasonably priced bottle of aged Bordeaux from a very good year with our meal. Although we were getting full, we had to order dessert. I found Daniel’s dessert menu was set up like my ideal, one side listed all chocolate desserts, the other side listed everything else. We had the hot chocolate souffle and the chocolate praline which looked so beautiful with a thin ribbon of chocolate curved over the top and a piece of gold foil, I almost did not eat it. But I am not that foolish. It was as delicious as it was beautiful. This was followed by a plate loaded with petit fours which I had no room left to sample. Service was very attentive and friendly with a bit of theatre; when you receive your plate, the sauces are added at the table as the server explains your dish. The sommelier, a female, which has been rare in my experience, was very knowledgeable.