Over the next few months you may have family coming to town. Maybe for Christmas, New Year’s, or to protest the inauguration. Either way, there is a strong possibility you are looking for some elegant spots to take your parents or relatives for dinner, where you can get a tasty meal and some cocktails to make that meal a little more fun.
Consider booking a table at Jardenea, where the décor is sophisticated, the service is impeccable, and the food is fancy and delicious. I went over to check it out and was impressed from beginning to end.
First, the drinks. The restaurant offers several which are fun for sharing, like a pineapple and rum concoction that comes with coconut foam and is served in a copper pineapple—with two straws!
The menu changes with the seasons, but has a few dishes which are staples. The new fall and winter dishes are awesome and should all be sampled. I would recommend starting with the pear salad, full of winter greens, poached pears, and a sprinkling of blue cheese or the cauliflower soup, which will warm you to your toes. The Brussels sprouts topped with truffle essence is another enticing option.
For your main course, there is one clear winner, the saffron pappardelle drenched in a sweet, sinfully creamy marsala sauce. Mushrooms and onions round out the decadence. Mop up any remaining drops of the sauce with the complimentary housemade breads.
For dessert, the choices are endless. Cheesecake? Chocolate lava cake? Crème brûlée? They have them all. I am partial to the chocolate lava cake which has that perfect deep dark chocolate that I always crave and the quintessential liquid center. But the crème brûlée is also fantastic, with a crunchy burnt sugar top. For those who prefer a savory dessert, get the cheese plate with locally sourced cheeses. Regardless of what you get, everyone you dine with is going home happy!
