chalkboard-anyone else eaten there yet?
Anyone Else Dined @ Chalkboard (Gilbert Langlois new place in Lincoln Village) yet-- my wife and I ate there Saturday night w/ a party of 6, and thought is was a highly enjoyable experience. The dining room is filled with simple yet elegant architectural touches (especially the mirrors, chandeliers, and wall treatments) and centers on (you guessed it) two large chalkboards that feature (currently) the menu, as well as wines by the glass. I found it unique and quirky (the idea of a well prepared meal being presented in an almost child-like unpretentious manner), but I can see it off-putting to some guests-- especially those who have difficulties with their eyesight- They also distribute traditional menus to those sitting in area where the boards are not visible-- here you are treated to the chef's anecdotes as to why this particular dish is featured, which I found quite nice.
The food was good as well- An extremely rich Tomato Bisque served with a shaved fennel salad and several quarters of a grilled (blue-cheese) sandwich which was sinfully good. Excellent crab cake that was quite light, buttery and delightful. Don't miss the smoked Mac and Cheese (which both my wife and I remembered from Rushmore) also extremely rich-
For Entrées My wife ordered the Free Range Beef which came with two enormous Lobster Tortellini-
I ordered the Bass-which came with a Ricotta and herb filling, as well as a celery root pure- Both were quite good (the beef was excellent) although I found the Bass to be a bit lacking in consistency- it tasted great at its first and last tastes, but lagged a bit in the middle.
The service was not great, but not bad as well-much like the chalkboards, our server was not pretentious and really personable and friendly-- I loved this, and felt it fit well with the concept of the restaurant-
I feel that this place is a great addition, as especially with a few weeks under its belt, will be a great place to eat.
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I loved the space, the unpretentious service, and the wines, but we were underwhelmed by the actual meal (though I did love the crab cake appetizer). My husband's mussels lacked flavor, and we felt that our entrees, though well prepared, were simply not exciting. I had the fried chicken; my husband had the salmon, which was prepared with what, I can't recall - but it was weird combo that he didn't think "worked" - suffice it to say that though the fish was of top-notch quality, and expertly cooked, the dish itself did not impress - in other words, it was the concept, not the execution, that was off. Same thing with the fried chicken. It was very plain. I think I was hoping for something a bit more sinful (read: "greasy"), which, I realize, is my problem, not theirs.
On the whole, we wouldn't rush back, even though we realize that we may just have ordered things that were "wrong" for us. Maybe if we read enough reviews that mention dishes that sound good, then we'd be lured back.
