We arrived around 7 and found the place nearly empty which made me a bit nervous! We were seated in the dining area which is filled with nice tables and has great decor. Exposed brick, cool wine closet and a kitchen that is open to the dining area. I would describe the place as upscale casual.
Our waiter greeted us and said his name so quickly none of us caught it. Probably best since he was the only disappointment of our evening. He had a tough time with Amy's questions about flavored vodka, and didn't really have a clue about what was available at the bar. We had to ask if there were any specials, which Greg ended up ordering. There were a few more issues throughout dinner. He just came across as very new...we later learned he had been there 3 years.
We also learned that it was taste of Kalamazoo a few blocks over which explained the light crowd.
Greg, John, and I shared a a bottle of Cab by NxNW while Amy finally ended up with a cocktail. We placed our order and were quickly brought some warm delicious bread. Our meals came a bit later.
Amy had the filet of beef with a redskin potato mash, and asparagus. She was thrilled with her meal and found the portions generous and done perfectly.
Greg had the special which was a blackened mahi mahi with lime rice and a pineapple, corn, and cilantro salsa. He loved it! The mahi was fresh and had great flavor with just the right amount of heat. I tasted it and was impressed even though I'm not a big fish eater.
John and I split the ribeye with frites and truffle oil and grilled asparagus. They did a nice job of splitting the meal and we both had PLENTY of food! The steak was cooked perfectly and the frites were fabulous! All of us had asparagus and loved it... Well maybe not Greg.
We had decided before dinner to look elsewhere for dessert based on our waiters crummy performance, however after an amazing dinner we looked at the dessert menu. Greg and I ordered the salted carmel soft pretzel bread pudding! Yes it was a bread pudding made with soft pretzels instead of bread then covered with a yummy salted carmel topping. It was positively delicious!!!!
John and Amy shared an upside down apple tart. They had no trouble devouring that either!
We all agreed we would return and ask for a different waiter.
Upside down apple tart
***bonus time
After our wonderful dinner we headed over to the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange. Located in a super cool old building a few blocks from the restaurant, it ia a 2 story place with a bar on the lower level and a restaurant upstairs. The place was packed but we found a table in the bar. This is unlike any bar we had ever been to! The exchange in the name comes to play as all the beers on tap (there are many) are listed on screens throughout the place. Every fifteen minutes the prices per glass go up or down based on supply and demand. There are occasional market crashes in which all prices drop for five minutes. We had a GREAT waitress Lori who won us over in seconds! We will definitely be back!
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