Woodlot

By Annabelle Goodman –

I tried three times to get a reservation at this hot spectacular spot. On my third effort I was told that there is a communal table that is available on a first come first serve basis.

I can’t remember when I had so much fun. By the way the food is exquisite and the servers are great. Crystal was attentive and charming all evening. We felt as if we knew her by the end of our dinner. Her smile could warm up any room. I had a chance to speak with the co-owner and chef, David Hamon. He looks like he is about 12 years old. He is adorable and charming and obviously very talented. He has had the finest experience working in top end restaurants. When he decided to open this restaurant with his best friend he knew what he wanted. He hand picked his total staff and it shows. It is like a family party. Everybody working here is fun and interesting. They work so well as a team. Jeff comes in at midnight  to prepare that mouth watering bread.

The place looks like a movie set. It was the former home of a bar. The kitchen is exposed. Tall shelves hold many of the ingredients and you can hear the chatter from the workers in the kitchen. A large wood burning oven literally sits in the dining space and you watch the preparation of the gourmet mouth watering dishes. One beautiful large birch wood table sits in the middle of the floor on the main level. At least 10 people can sit comfortably. You do not need a reservation for this table. The reserved tables are upstairs. I am sure they are wonderful but I have no need to sit anywhere else than that communal table.

My friend, Elaine, and I love to try new places. We always have a lot of fun. This place exceeded our expectations. We immediately found ourselves in conversation with a delightful young couple of university students. By the end of the evening they were sharing our dessert and we helped them with theirs. At that point our total conversation was amongst four people not just two.

There is a completely separate vegetarian menu as well as one featuring meat dishes.

I started with the Caramelized Onion Soup.($8.00) It was prepared with gruyere cheese and caraway rye. I am still licking my lips. Oh my! That was so special.

Elaine started with the Winter Salad of Endive, Roots and Pear. The vegetables had been thinly sliced on a mandolin and stacked for a colorful presentation. The blue cheese, horseradish and pecans enhanced the flavor. It was a work of art and so pleasing to the palate.($11.00) I enjoyed that same salad as my second course.

Elaine enjoyed the Farm Fresh Egg Tagliatelle with fontina cheese and radicchio.($13.00 small; or $19.00 large) It was better than anything I had in Italy. The pasta is prepared on the premises. It was so perfectly cooked. The flavor was exquisite.

We asked our ‘new friends’ about their dinner choices. The young lady was dining on the Braised Tempeh Pie.($19.00) It is prepared with winter roots, cipollini onions and caramelized vegetable gravy. I already know I am coming back for this dish. The Roasted Tofu and Almond Gratin also captured my eye.($18.00) It is served with saffron cream, fregola, cauliflower and spinach.

Meat lovers are not left out. They have a menu of their own. Everybody dines happily here. Our desserts were equally fantastic .This is the newest hottest most delicious spot in town.