Communal

I love eating here. The restaurant is beautiful, the music great (like really great.) And the food, well, the food is excellent. I am not exaggerating when I say that everything on the menu is great, nor am I exaggerating when I say I have eaten everything on the menu (and in the last month no less, it has been a really great month.)

My favorites on the first course Citrus & Avocado Salad, with Frisee and Green Olives Mushroom Ragu on Polenta, oh my goodness that polenta, incredible! Tomato Jam, Mushroom & Ricotta Crostini, I am now a bit obsessed with tomato jam.

The main course standouts, Hangar Steak with Blue Cheese Butter, that blue cheese butter and a perfectly cooked steak, heaven. Now, the Roasted Chicken in Natural Juices, let me just preface this by saying that a really well roasted chicken is one of my all time favorite meals. Each time I went, (and I got a quarter chicken each time, because it is that good.) my dining companions commented that they never really bother to order chicken when they go out, particularly to places like Communal who so expertly prepare steak and pork. And I would have to agree with them, but honestly Communals roast chicken is some of the best I have ever had. Tender and perfectly seasoned (well, I always add a bit of salt, but other than that seasoned perfection.) and the house fries or their mashed potatoes are the perfect compliment. The other sides not to miss (really, it's all of them but if you must choose) the aforementioned house fries and mashed potatoes. The Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Hazelnuts are so very good and the Butternut Squash Gratin. 

As you will be having dessert (and you would be a fool to miss it) Get the bread pudding, it reminds me of the most decadent and delicious french toast and with the perfect topping vanilla creme anglaise. Don't miss the Vanilla Pot De Creme or the Affogato.

Tulie Bakery

Tulie is rapidly becoming my favorite bakery. Their pastries, tarts, bread, sandwiches, granola and cake, (oh my their cake) are so simply exquisite. And you can taste the quality and care in every bite. They are serious about their ingredients, and they also try to source as locally as possible, and the result is perfection.

I have been to Tulie several times (not nearly as much as I would like) but on this trip I had their Pain au Chocolate (or chocolate stuffed croissant) and it was everything and more that a great croissant should be, flaky, buttery, moist and dripping with gorgeous, gorgeous chocolate. Ask them warm it for you, you will thank me. I then moved on to the Croque Monsieur (aka the best ham and cheese sandwich you will ever wrap your lips around) it was perfect, from the beautifully crusty bread to the Gran Biscotto ham and the gruyere, well it was the molten goodness that sealed it all together. I topped it all off with a caramel macaroon and just like everything else it was heaven.

The service & ambiance there are as they say, the icing on the cake. The service is friendly and quick and the ambiance, well you just won't want to leave. And speaking of leaving, just as I was about to I decided to purchase the German chocolate cake (the cake in the top right photo) in their case for a dinner I was having that night, and seriously it was one the best things I have ever eaten (and that is saying something.) The cake is dense yet light, the frosting beautifully flavored not to much butter not to much sugar just the perfect ratio of each ingredient, and then there was the coconut pecan goodness that goes on the top, it left me speechless.

Check out Tulie Bakery here, and get there as fast as you can. And don't forget to enter our giveaway!

Pizzeria 712

http://www.pizzeria712.com