Mimi J.
Yelp
I've been meaning to try this restaurant for the longest time, and booked a dinner for a weekday night. Two words: exceeds expectations!
I was a bit apprehensive, as reviews either indicated it was outstanding, or that service was lackluster...but I didn't have to worry!
Warning: the below is like an essay, but I really had to express my enjoyment with this many words! ;P
First off, when you walk inside, the atmosphere is very calming with dim lighting, and a mix of modern and traditional décor. Just for you guys, I requested a window seat to get better Instagram photos! ;) Most seats are not next to a window. Chairs are squishy and comfy (clever way to get you to stay longer)! Cutlery was real silver, which added to the dining experience (they look used and old but they are not)!
I had a male server who had blue eyes and blond hair, and he was very professional and checked up on us frequently, and also SMILED (which not all servers do)! Some reviews mentioned that they should switch plates/cutlery between appetizers and mains, which was done, so I suppose they listened to reviews. I LOVE THEIR PLATES! They are all unique and gorgeous and honestly DO add to the dining experience!
Drinks - Nepean street: this was DELICIOUS! My favourite out of the two. Another table ordered 4 at once, so you KNOW it is good stuff. I could just keep drinking this...it was a deep lovely amber color. I only wish they put less ice in the cup, but it still tasted strong!
Drinks - Rosa Rossa: this was the prettier drink of the two (and honestly, I only chose it because it had Dillon's rose gin in it), but it tasted mostly like grapefruit. I really enjoyed the foam on top, but volume wise, it was about half of the Nepean street, so the other drink was better deal.
Bread: it was not warm, but nice and crusty. It came with anchovy infused butter. PLEASE give out more butter! They should of doubled it. Hint: keep asking for more bread because bread + butter + sauces in your food dishes = YUM! J
If North and Navy ever had a late night menu with drink specials, I would drink the Nepean street non-stop...thinking about it makes me drool!
Antipasti - smoked tuna with balsamic and braised beef: If I had to choose one dish to eat for the rest of my life, it would be this. Although reviews mentioned the tuna part tastes like canned tuna (it does slightly), the overall mix of flavours is PERFECT. The braised beef is in fact, beef tongue, that they slice using a DELI slicer so it is SUPER thin and tender! The olive oil is very dark and rich, and there is also crispy bits on top. Each bite is a symphony of salty, slightly sweet, slightly sour, crispy, and soft...I wish I didn't order the fried squid and got two of these. They are THAT good. I hope they never stop making it!
Antipasti - Fried Humboldt squid and lemon aioli: my colleague preferred this dish over the smoked tuna, and we saw other tables order it as well. I liked how there was citrus and basil leaves, which added more flavour. It was also very tender. However, the flavour in general was too light for my tastes, and I ended up eating most of the tuna and beef appetizer instead.
Primi - Walnut and ricotta sacchettini with pea crema: this was recommended by our waiter as one of his favourite dishes here. The pasta came in little tied sachets which were ADORABLE! You could taste that the pasta was homemade, and the filling was cheesy tasting even though it was just ricotta. I really do not like dill under most circumstances unless it is dill pickle chips LOL (which is usually served with salmon), but the dill was not infused in the sauce itself so I just picked it off.
Secondi - Venetian liver and onions: many reviews mentioned the liver, so I had to get it (even though the waiter said the cod was his favourite...but my colleague wanted to get the duck...boohoo...next time I will get the cod)! There was A LOT of rich brown sauce with it to dip the liver in, and it was tender and slightly charred. The sliced potatoes and onions it came with perfectly complimented it.
Secondi - Duck with salsa di melograno e zanzero: Served rare but crispy on the outside, the duck breast was outstanding and I was wishing so badly for more pieces! The puree of veggies that it sat on was also amazing (my colleague and I even fought over it...bread dipped into it is perfect)! Each bite was heaven. Definitely my preferred main!!!
One plesant surprise was the washrooms! In the ladies washroom, there is dark rose wallpaper, white tiles, closed wall washrooms, and my favourite was seeing Dillon's Rose Gin bottles turned into soap bottle dispensers (how unique)!
Overall, it was a meal that exceeded my expectations. Although pricy, the price is justified for the quality of food you get, comfortable atmosphere, amazing drinks, and friendly service!