Monday, February 11, 2013

Prohibition Gastropub, Everett, WA


We'd heard Gordon Ramsay had done his schtick here, so we thought we'd give it a try. What can I say, we're suckers for a restaurant on the edge!

She Said:
First, I hate the term "Gastropub". I know it's the chic new term for upscale comfort food in a casual setting, but to me in just sounds like a medical term for intestinal blockage. I hope this trend ends soon. I really do.

The decor was really nice. Felt like a 20's speak easy and the place was hopping!

Had a very nice cocktail at the bar, although the bartender seemed hesitant to give suggestions. Not sure why. Cocktails were also a bit spendy but not enough to make me choke.

Appetizer:
I had the fish and crab cakes. They were really really good. Perfect, crispy and just yummy. The yummy where you don't want anyone to talk to you while you're eating kind of yummy. Yummy I just wanted to eat more of them yummy.

My husband had the duck salad. This is listed as a starter, but be warned, it's REALLY big. A leg and a thigh on the bed of greens big. This is an entree sized salad big.

That said, it was freaking delicious. Duck was beautifully done; golden and crispy. I don't remember much about the greens, I was really focused on the duck, it was that good. Not to denigrate the vegetarian's out there, but we like meat and unless someone has done something new! amazing! fresh! greens are pretty much just greens in my world.

Except Arugula. I LOVE arugula.

Oh...in retrospect how we wish we'd stopped after the starters. Great cocktails! Amazing starter! Lovely Wine! Intimate fun atmosphere! But no......we went further.

Entrees:
I had the Short Rib Stroganoff. I love Short Ribs with a deep and abiding passion that transcends all understanding. I felt personally betrayed by this dish.

This tasted like shredded bit of Chuck is weirdish sauce over store bought egg noodles. I really wanted to love this, I truly did. For $16 I wanted more than a bowl of egg noodles with a really small portion of what tasted like pot roast. Seriously, this was like Denny's food. I left most of it in the bowl.

My husband had the Salmon. While I've previously discussed our individual takes on Salmon (and to their credit, they wanted to cook it mid-rare). So, that said, Salmon had a weird mealy texture. Flavors were nice, texture was not nice. He'll doubtless have more too add here.

But did we stop there? Nope. We forged ahead to dessert!

Dessert:
Ok, by this point we were really full, but wanted to try a dessert. We decided to share the apple crumble.

Weird, mushy and tasted slightly burned. My husband actually made the waitress try a bite.

Overall, I think a great place for a cocktail and maybe a nibble. I really enjoyed everything up to the entree. So half the evening? I think overall that rates a solid C.








Monday, February 4, 2013

Bay Street Bistro, Port Orchard WA

We've been coming to this place basically since it open. Time to share....

She Said:
This is a small cozy restaurant. While parking can be a moderate challenge, there's plenty of parking just across the street. I've heard people complain but really, it's less than a city block. This is a 21 and over only restaurant which I both love and hate. I love being able to have a quiet grown up dinner with the man, but I'd also like to be able to bring in my foodie teenage boys.

Never wait more than about 30 seconds when you walk in to be greeted. It's a small place where they get to know you.

They always greet you at the table with an aperitif. I love it. I don't always love the choice (although the apfel liquor was yummy) I just love the concept. An aperitif just seems so....civilized.

I almost always order off the specials sheet. It's inevitably interesting and super fresh.

Appetizer:
We shared the grilled bruschetta with red onion marmalade and goat cheese. HOLY CRAP! I didn't chip a tooth! Bruschetta always scares me a bit (well, it's actually the fear of a large dental bill. Seriously, I've had some you could drive a nail with). There was a little too much of the onion jam and not enough goat cheese for my taste, but it was still yummy, and I just removed some of the jam. The toast was crispy, warm and nicely grilled.

This appetizer DID NOT work with my glass of Pinot Gris but my husband's Merlot was great with it. Yes, I likely drank too much of his wine, but it was goooood and he loves me so I can get away with it.

Salad:
The winter greens, pear and pecorino salad was good. Not amazing but good. While whole rings of sweet onion look pretty, I hate having to take a knife to a salad. Could just be me. I think I just may be a bit of a salad snob. I get the concept of charging for a salad since, for most people, it's a bit of a throw away course. I just want it to be special or not at all.

Ok, yea. I'm a salad snob.

Entree:
I ordered off the special sheet, ignoring my go-to rib-eye which, while spendy, is yummy when you just need a beautiful hunk of meat. Occasionally you just have to obey the inner carnivore. Well, at least I do.

The local Arctic Char was grilled with just sea salt and olive oil and served over wilted greens. It was perfect. I wanted to rub it in my hair and on my face. Roll around in it and purr. In just retribution for the earlier Merlot incident, my husband ate what was likely too much of my dinner. I considered this open warfare and dove into his steak.

They also serve the garnishes family style, putting the plate of roasted veggies in the middle of the table. I love this. I loved the carrots. I loved the potatoes. I hated the broccoli. Seriously, roasted broccoli is gross. The flowers are just dry, brown...yuck. And I truly and deeply love broccoli. Not like I love a great martini or a beautifully cooked steak, but as veggies go, it's in my top 5 and I will openly pursue it.

Dessert:
We decided to share one of the home made ice creams. This was not a good choice. It was freezer burned and crystallized. They offered us something else and removed it from the bill. Couldn't really ask for anything more. At this point we were both uncomfortably full, and passed on further sweets.

Service:
Always great. Servers are sweet, knowledgeable and don't hover. I hate hovering. I come for dinner to relax with my husband. I hate it when I feel stalked.

Chef owner always comes out and does a spin through the dining room. Always eager to hear feedback.

Overall, I'd rate it an A-. A tad spendy, but you know you're going to get something fresh and well prepared, receive excellent service in a cozy environment. If something's wrong, they make it right. To me, a good restaurant is not about everything being flawless, but how they recover. We'll definitely be back.