by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
Diners can be like a flock of birds, ready to descend on the newest, shiniest restaurant on the scene. I’m here to remind folks of a place they may have gone when the buzz was hot, or intended to go to but never quite made it. That place is b.b.’s, the sister restaurant to Biscotti’s.
Like Biscotti’s they have an excellent array of desserts, but they have a hipper, more urban and glass feel. If Biscotti’s is the place you go for brunch or a wine dinner, b.b.’s is the place you go when you want a snappy-but-classy lunch or dinner followed by a cocktail. While it’s a little too urban to qualify as a truly romantic restaurant, it’s still a terrific place to take a date.
Sitting to our left was a family of four, and to our right a couple enjoying dinner. They generally get quite a lunch rush during the day, and the dining area can get a little loud. They’re in the Southbank/San Marco area, so they attract a business crowd.
You can’t actually make a reservation at b.b.’s, but you can do a “call-ahead” which cuts down your wait time and puts you ahead of those just walking in. Most of their call-aheads are taken about 30 minutes in advance, though if you’ve got a large party coming in, they do accept a call-ahead the day before. The difference between call-ahead and reservation is this: when you make a reservation at a restaurant, it’s expected that you’ll have a table waiting for you but a call-ahead just cuts down the wait time. If you’re coming across town, you can call-ahead as you’re leaving home.
Most of the dinner specials run about $20 and up. If you order just dinner and drinks, your bill will be upwards of $35, but you can have a tidy and relatively inexpensive meal by sticking to their pizza, small plate items and sandwiches.
We sampled two appetizers, the mozzarella bruschetta and the calamari. While the bruschetta was an interesting twist on an old favorite, it was the calamari that was the standout. Bar none, this is now my favorite place to get calamari. It’s far from the traditional preparation of fried squidies. They use an almond crust, giving it a distinctly nutty flavor, with a number of different sauces drizzled over it, in a combination of sweet and spicy. It was the tangerine cream sauce that blew me away, and I loved the final detail of the black toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
Gourmet personal pizzas served at upscale restaurants are one of my favorite indulgences. My favorite mini pie at b.b.’s is the white truffle pizza. It’s topped with freshly shaved parm, mozzarella, wild mushrooms, truffle oil, prosciutto and arugula.
The freshly made, stunning dressings are enough to make any salad lover come back again and again. They’re substantial enough to serve as a meal, but small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the portion. Selections include warm goat cheese salad, crispy fried rock shrimp salad, turkey cobb, Mediterranean chicken salad and grilled salmon salad.
My entrée was a char grilled filet, topped with a boursin cheese, toasted hazelnuts and a red onion marmalade. It was paired with a rich and incredible veal bordelaise sauce. On the side, a layered potato gratin and asparagus finished the dish. The flavors simply danced together in an exquisite ballet of taste. The grill flavor of the meat contrasted with both the creaminess of the cheese and the sweetness of the red onions. The marmalade wasn’t as sweet as I thought it would be, so those who might be put off by the idea of a very sugary marmalade with their meat should just think of it as lightly sweet sautéed onions in a sauce.
The other dinner entrée I sampled was their Thai barbecue glazed pork chop with Mandarin orzo “fried rice,” candied walnuts and nappa cabbage apple salad. The pork itself was cooked to perfection, neither dry nor undercooked. It was succulent.
I watched one of their patrons sit at the beautiful bar, order some wine and go for some dessert. Eating dessert by itself is a smart idea. Dessert portions are large and rich, so either plan to share, come in just for dessert, or take home your leftovers. Many of the desserts available at Biscotti’s are available at b.b.’s. It can be a real treat to gaze into the well-lit dessert case and yearn for all that they offer. Included in the case was one of my personal favorites, the chocolate éclair cake. Cakes offered can vary, so just ask your server or meander over to the case to look for yourself.
Whatever you come in for, the staff at b.b.’s are sure to make your experience relaxing and tasty.
|
EU Critic’s Choice Awards
