5/5 Eugenio Padilla (. 2 years ago on Google
EL
Ideas
markets
itself
as
a
BYOB
Michelin
starred
restaurant
minus
the
frills,
where
dinner
should
feel
more
like
a
warm
family
gathering
rather
than
a
distant
dinner
night
out
on
the
town.
To
this
end,
they
achieved
this
environment
and
then
some,
providing
amazing,
thoughtful
plates
while
remaining
rooted
to
their
ideals.
We
were
seated
promptly
at
a
table
within
a
few
steps
from
the
kitchen,
where
everyone
from
their
tables
could
see,
hear,
and
smell
the
magic
happening.
The
chef
encouraged
us
at
the
beginning
of
dinner
to
get
up
and
join
them
in
the
kitchen
(up
to
a
point
so
that
we
did
not
intrude
the
process),
and
see
them
at
work
up
close
and
personal;
no
need
to
hide
behind
any
walls.
This
would
not
be
the
only
time
the
chef
spoke
to
us,
as
every
time
a
new
dish
made
its
way
to
our
table,
he
introduced
it
with
an
anecdote
about
the
genesis
of
it,
to
the
final
creation
on
the
plate.
It
was
a
personal
touch
that
is
much
appreciated,
and
not
seen
in
many
restaurants,
including
those
labeled
as
fine
dining.
As
for
the
food,
my
wife,
our
friend,
and
I
were
giddy
and
full
of
excitement
the
days
leading
up
to
dinner,
and
thankfully,
our
feelings
were
not
misplaced!
Dinner
started
with
a
couple
of
beautifully
plated
and
flavorful
dishes
with
the
crab
and
salmon.
The
crab
was
Halloween
themed
in
its
colors,
and
in
the
flavoring,
the
papaya
and
carrot
elevated
the
freshness
of
the
crab,
giving
the
dish
texture
but
keeping
it
light.
The
follow
up
dish,
a
smoked
salmon,
built
upon
the
light
and
fresh
aspects
of
the
opener.
It
was
a
great
dish
with
the
beet
and
pumpernickel
making
a
good
contrast
to
the
salmon.
Dinner
reached
a
plateau
before
ramping
up
again
for
the
next
few
dishes.
The
monkfish
was
okay
for
my
tastes,
the
chicken
and
eggs,
visually,
was
not
as
appetizing
or
interesting
as
other
dishes,
although
the
flavor
was
good,
and
the
foie
gras
was
good
as
well,
but
not
a
standout.
Immediately
after
the
foie
gras,
we
ate
a
small
bite
that
seemed
as
a
palate
cleanser
in
the
form
of
a
fancy
Twix;
flavors
are
unorthodox,
but
worked
extremely
well,
providing
a
sweet
and
salty
one-two
punch
to
the
palate
that
prepared
me
for
what
was
to
come.
The
last
3
dishes
of
dinner
are
easily
the
best
of
the
dinner
as
well,
the
last
course
ending
it
all
with
a
resounding
bang!
The
main
protein
of
our
dinner
was
a
perfectly
cooked
lamb
surrounded
by
a
supporting
cast
of
flavors
that
kept
transforming
every
mouthful
on
my
tongue
depending
on
what
ended
up
on
my
fork.
It
was
an
exquisite,
ever-changing
dish
with
the
date
and
lamb
combo
in
particular
making
an
angelic
duet
to
my
taste
buds.
Following
that
up,
the
second
to
last
meal
was
an
inspiring
take
on
dipping
fries
in
a
milkshake,
a
classic
savory
and
sweet
combo,
with
potatoes
and
leek
soup
making
the
fries,
and
liquid
nitrogen
reverse
poached
ice
cream
making
the
milkshake.
Sounds
like
something
from
a
mad
scientist,
but
all
elements
of
the
dish
worked
together
well,
as
it
tasted
as
described,
but
done
with
a
fascinating
and
intricate
twist.
Finally,
we
got
to
the
gingerbread
rooibos,
the
grand
finale
and
apex
of
dinner.
This
was
the
best
dish
of
the
night,
as
the
marriage
of
citrus
and
sweet
was
executed
perfectly.
The
citrus
of
the
candied
peach
and
caramelized
pomegranate
cut
through
the
sweetness
of
the
rooibos
and
chocolate
in
particular,
bringing
a
masterful
balance
to
the
entirety
of
the
plate.
The
problem
I
had
with
it
was
that
it
marked
the
end
of
my
meal,
and
I
could
not
have
any
more
of
it.
In
summary,
EL
Ideas
was
worth
the
price
of
admission,
and
provided
my
wife,
our
friend,
and
me
a
memorable
dinner.
I
highly
recommend
trying
it,
as
the
flavors
were
on
point,
the
service
was
even
better,
and
best
of
all,
you
can
bring
your
own
wine
or
spirit
of
choice!
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