Nine ten has always been a favorite. Jay knibb knows what he’s doing. We are never disappointed. It’s always a mix of familiar favorites and new dishes that peak your interest.

We do the mercy of the chef for special occasions, and order off the menu for regular date nights. This was a regular date night where we wanted to have our favorite (hamachi) and try some of the newest offerings.

We started with drinks, and bread and butter. Total suckers for housemade bread and salted butter. You have me at hello… each and every time.

This was one of those dishes that was unexpectedly perfect. The nasturtium reminded me of growing up with my gardening grandparents, and the leaves and flowers we would eat straight from their garden. Talk about a food memory. Those flavors combined with the bass? Perfect bite.

I can’t remember a time this dish wasn’t on the menu. And I also can’t remember a time we didn’t order it. It also sparked my interest in pickling mushrooms. Who would have thought that pickled mushrooms and hamachi would work so well together. But they do. The bites are perfect. It’s a can’t miss dish.

Can anyone resist an oyster special? Not me. Especially if topped with fresh ramps and a mignonette sauce. Kind of perfect, no?

Just in case you weren’t aware, nothing goes better with an oyster special than a glass of sparkling brut rose and a side of truffle fries. It’s the trifecta you never knew you needed, and that once you’ve had it, you never go back.

We rounded everything out with the halibut. And just like all the dishes before, the kitchen was kind enough to split them for us. We didn’t request it… they just did it. We assumed because they have a tasting menu, they are just prepared with smaller versions of the main dishes. Regardless, like everything else, this was a fantastic dish. The fish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Also, the morels and artichokes, were the perfect compliment.

We walked away satisfied and ready for our next visit.