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5 Corners Kitchen - CLOSED
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants American (New) French, American (New) [Edit]
2 School StMarblehead, MA 01945
(781) 631-5550
- Nearest Transit:
-
Pleasant St @ Essex St (441, 442, 448, 449)
Pleasant St @ Spring St (441, 442, 448, 449)
Pleasant St @ Anderson St (441, 442, 448, 449)
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner, Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
32 reviews for 5 Corners Kitchen
Review Highlights
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"The steak frites is out of this world." In 8 reviews -
"For dinner we had the skate wing and the steak frites." In 5 reviews -
"Wine list was small but well thought out." In 5 reviews
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32 reviews in English
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Review from Andrew H.
Marblehead, MA
4/20/2012
When 5 Corners Kitchen reopens sometime this summer I'm going to be first in line. When I moved to Marblehead a little over a year ago, 5 Corners Kitchen was one of the big selling points and my friends who live in Marblehead took me there for dinner. The home-made pastas and sausages show extra thought and care and incredible taste. That is really what 5 Corners is all about. Layers and combinations of taste that are built up from scratch and thoughtfully complied to be out of the ordinary. I've heard that 5 Corners will be stretching its space a bit when it returns. That can only mean more of a good thing. I can't wait. I need to put a line item in my household budget to accommodate 5 Corners return.
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Review from Oh T.
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
10/2/2011
Can I get an Amen for finally having a decent restaurant in Marblehead? Amen!
Fresh and mostly local food in a hip decor. Nice wine list. Barry does a great job.
Four stars instead of five because the limited menu doesn't change much and the highly touted skate wing had the texture of skate gum. Must have been a tough skate. Regardless, I have been at least 10 times for dinner & for brunch & it's the best food in town.
Barry, please re-open! I'm hungry! -
Review from Kay B.
Salem, MA
9/2/2011
Visited a few times - last time was not the best at all.
Delicious brunch but very rude waitress. My father asked to have something omitted from his omelet and our waitress refused him, so he chose an alternative plate. Meanwhile, a woman at the table next to us was incredibly fussy. Wanted egg whites only, half the amount of tomatoes, ham instead of bacon - all of which were granted to her.
And yet, not my Dad??
Another downside is sometimes the plates are neglected, leaving the (otherwise delicious) potatoes luke-warm, or downright cold. Not a good thing, given this place's prices and reputation. Also, ten bucks for a Bloody Mary that's DRENCHED in so much pepper that it piles beneath the heaps of ice? Not cool.
If you're looking for the perfect, gourmet experience elect to try 9 Elm in Danvers! -
Review from Graeme J.
Marblehead, MA
9/14/2011
I have been to 5 CK with just about anyone I can find to go with me. I have recommended it highly to all. Barry and staff do a wonderful job and I am so disappointed that it has been closed all summer due to smoke damage resulting from a fire next door. Highly anticipate its return.
The only reason I am not giving it 5 stars is all on me. Service is amazing. Food is always delicious. However, I think the price points on some food and drinks is a bit high. Overpriced? Probably not by much. Regardless, I still recommend it and will go back as soon as it reopens. It was sorely missed this summer. -
Review from Arthur S.
Marblehead, MA
5/26/2011
Marblehead is a better town with the arrival of 5 Corners Kitchen.
Been there 5 or 6 times with my wife. The menu is thoughtful and different. The food is great. The atmosphere is sophisticated, but a bit noisy and the tables are somewhat tight. The service is attentive and not intrusive.
Steak frites & Skate are are terrific, signature dishes. I like the chicken preparation as well. Good salads. Wine is decanted and served in carafes (at three pricing points).
There is something for everyone. But, I'm selfish - don't go. I don't want to compete with a crowd -
Review from Colleen C.
Marblehead, MA
Updated - 4/23/2011
Still great after several visits, always impresses the visiting relatives. The deserts are new to me and were SO good! Salmon is my favorite entree... I like the salads as well... mine, seemed a little bit busy last night, way too much variety. Also, the service did seem to be pushing us along and there were no other parties waiting and we were not moving.
I can not wait to try the Jazz Brunch.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/14/2011
THANK YOU for being here... I love your restaurant and enjoy every minute of it while I am there...… Read more »
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Review from Misty S.
After reading all of the reviews this morning, we decided to take a drive to Marblehead to try out the brunch at 5 Corners- and I'm so glad that we did!
We tried to make reservations, but wouldn't have been able to get a table for 4 until 1 (we called at 11) so we took our chances and tried to get a seat at the bar and there were plenty of seats available.
We each started with a coffee (great coffee!) and my friend got the fresh squeezed orange juice which she really enjoyed.
I got the Asparagus, mushroom and boursin omelette (sub egg whites for the eggs). Everything is so fresh! My omelette was fluffy and stuffed with asparagus and creamy cheese. The homefries were seasoned well and were not overly greasy.
Hubby got one of the many benedict options- the canadian bacon benedict- and loved it as well.
The highlight of my meal was the Brioche french toast that hubby & I split. It came with a homemade vanilla bean whipped cream scoop and fresh blueberry compote. It was unbelievable. It tasted like fresh blueberry cobbler that you get from Russell Orchards in the summer, with a scoop of Breyers vanilla bean ice cream on top. Unreal. I didn't want it to end! If it was socially acceptable to lick your plate at a restaurant, I absolutely would have.
Total bill came to $34 for hubs & I and I was stuffed when I left. I can't wait to go back and try dinner! -
Review from Big Chef L.
Brookline, MA
6/22/2011
Hands down best dinner on the north shore!!! My wife and I had dinner here last night. It was start to finish amazing. We started at the bar with two glasses of a nice Cava rose brut while we waited for our table. The clean decor and light fixtures were accented by the subdued lighting. The atmosphere was lively with a packed dining area consisting of a dozen tables and a banquet running along the back wall.
Our menus arrived on wooden clipboards along with a wine list and cocktails. Our server Stephanie was proficient with the various items on the menu and made some excellent wine suggestions!
We started with the mussels and the country pork terrine.
The mussels were sauted in white wine, fennel, garlic and, tomatoes. They came with a giant grilled slice of French country bread spread with a generous dollop of garlic aioli. The shellfish tasted briney and fresh fork tender. We slurped up every last drop.
The pork terrine was rich and savory. Unlike most local terrines it was dense and air pocket free. The presentation was very clean with a spoonful of whole grain mustard and some pickled leeks.
For dinner we had the skate wing and the steak frites.
The skate wing was served Piccata style with pungent caper berries and a citrus type butter sauce. The fish itself was crispy and moist.
Over all a great experience!!! -
Review from rhonda w.
Asheville, NC
3/1/2011
We've eaten here 4 times. Two for dinner, two Brunches. Each time the food is really good. The pastas far surpass any other dishes we've eaten. The prices are a bit high but the service is great.
We enjoy the brunch almost more than the regular menu. We tend to go here for late night dinners alone, or Brunch with friends/family. I had a Cucumber Martini which was delicious!
We haven't been during a busy time so we always get to choose our table. They are close together, so maybe avoid the rush.
My favorite part is that they're open till 11pm during the week.
All in all, we enjoy going here for a special treat once in a while. -
Review from Hanh R.
Boston, MA
10/28/2010
The food and atmosphere were perfect! I hate going to a place and not being able to have a conversation. Even though the space was small, we could hear each other and talk normally. Even when they started to play music, it was not obnoxious to the point that people try to talk over the music thus making it unbearably loud. It was a wonderful simply designed restaurant with a short wall that separated the dining room from the bar.
We ordered the mussels and they were yummy. I got the special of the night which was duck. Oh my gosh, my mom makes a wonderful duck, but this duck might almost rival hers! I tried my friend's steak frites and it was also perfect. They were both made to perfection. The steak was a perfect medium-rare (which is how the restaurant makes it) while the duck had a nice crispy skin. I do not know why I did not get dessert. The creme brulee was huge and the carmalized top was crunchy! I felt bad having several bites of my friend's dessert.
I am not sure about the service that other people had, but our waitress was excellent. She knew what to suggest and could answer questions about the wine list (which was pretty big). Our dinner took 2.5 hours from start to finish, but it was one of the most enjoyable hours I had eating and conversing with friends. We weren't rushed and did not over stuff ourselves because the food came out all at once. We had a nice pace to our whole meal.
I hope to come back again! -
Review from j h.
Marblehead, MA
10/22/2010
Marblehead---not known for high end cuisine.....
entertained clients tonight with oysters, skate and sonoma wine.
15 on a scale of 10.
I do hope in this shitty economy that there are enough clients to support this restaurant, as it's not cheap.
But we've spent more and gotten less.
You know after a meal and drinks with friends you say,
"That was nice." "Well, this was nice."
Amanda the bartender is knowledgeable and attentive.
Creme Brulet was also fine.
Barry runs a good place. No disapapointments. -
Review from Geoff M.
5/17/2010 1 photo
I went over to Marblehead on Saturday night and tried out the new 5 Corners Kitchen, where Ladycakes used to be. Couldn't get a reservation so went early and ate at the bar, which was packed by 6:30. I have to say, it really was a fantastic meal.
The basic premise is really high quality local food, prepared fairly simply, but to very high standards. Menu is expected to change as much as weekly, owing to trying to buy fresh and local food. Gotta get what's good. That's exactly what they delivered.
I started with a mussels appetizer, sauteed in tomatoes, onions and garlic aioli. Served with grilled baguette with a garlic butter spread. Simply divine. Followed that with steak frites with hand cut fries with a garlic aioli dipping sauce, and watercress salad. Nicely grilled to a medium rare as ordered, totally satisfying. Tried one of my companions' oysters, and they were very good and fresh, and her skate, which is supposed to be a throw away fish, was beautifully prepared and tasty as well.
Menu is diverse, going as simple as bacon cheeseburger and fries. The only weird thing was there only being one dessert option on a given day. Saturday it was a rhubarb panna cotta, which we passed on as we were stuffed. I think that decision is based on the small kitchen.
Washed it all down with 3 Hennepin draft beers. Never had it before, nice wheat beer. Wine list was small but well thought out.
Space is beautiful and clean. Lots of white, and big huge windows open to the street. Very classic. From my perch at the bar had a nice view directly into the kitchen.
Easily the best meal I've had in Marblehead, and all of the entrees were under $20. They didn't taste like it.Listed in: North Shore not to be Missed
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Review from Jatte B.
Brooklyn, NY
7/10/2010
I am from NYC... so of course I am a bit of a food snob.
That being said, I am always disappointed by the lackluster/expensive "gourmet" dining in Marblehead (besides fried seafood!).
We heard good things about 5 Corners, so we gave it a go.
Excellent beet salad and soft shelled crab for apps.... had one of the best pork chops ever and a Mediterranean dogfish dish that was very good as well. Ended things with a creme brulee that was served in what many would consider a casserole sized plate: HUGE.
Very excited and happy to have this in town after years of BLAAAAH.
All entrees were under $20 -
Review from Marmot Z.
Mid-Cambridge, MA
2/5/2011
Beautiful, ambient, cozy little restaurant and bar that serves really nice (albeit pricey) food and cocktails. The vibe is ever-so-slightly hipster (laser cut pendant lights, Smiths tunes, etc.), they do it so well that it doesn't come off as hipster foolishness (like Hungry Mother in Cambridge, for instance). The lighting and atmosphere are perfect.
The first time my friend and I came in, it was a holiday afternoon and we were the only folks there. Our waitress (who we've have the pleasure of being served by both times we've been) could not have been more friendly and accommodating and made us feel so comfortable and at ease that it was easy to forget we were the only people there. We were given just enough privacy and just enough attention to never feel like we were being watched or ignored.
We've been back since for cocktails (awesome), brunch (awesome), and dessert (awesome).
This is truly a little neighborhood gem. One of the only places I make a point of visiting when I'm in the northshore area. -
Review from Danny F.
Newton, MA
Updated - 8/17/2010
Another dinner and two brunches later, I am giving 5CK 5 stars. The cooking here is sensational, as long as you avoid the seafood, which is good but not great. The steak frites is out of this world. Perfectly tender and flavorful steak (medium), with insanely delicious skinny but not yet shoestring fries, and a lovely side salad for an outstandingly balanced meal in one entree. Oh, and the ice tea is good too.
For brunch, I had French toast on one occasion and an omelet on the other. The French toast is rather unusual: two thick slabs of bread with blueberry compote and whipped cream on top. I liked that it was not too egg-y. Very lovely. And the omelet (spinach, feta, mushroom) was so much better than it had to be. Also tried my guest's Benedict, and again it was outstanding. Loved 5CK's take on hollandaise sauce.
I want to eat at 5CK everyday.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/22/2010
It was very, very good. Soft shell crab appetizer was a tad salty, but exquisitely fried. Skate wing… Read more »
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Review from Stephanie C.
Marblehead, MA
5/22/2010
Having lived in Marblehead for over 25 years off and on, I am always stunned how average the restaurants typically are. Well, that has changed! Finally an eatery that has the perfect balance of ambiance, superb service and delicious cuisine. I had the steak and pomme frittes...crispy and perfectly seasoned, these french fries were served with an unforgettable garlic aoili...perfection! Steak was cooked to order and melted in my mouth. My husband had the pork chop - also a huge hit! The wine and beer selection was eclectic and superb and made you feel like you were in a metropolitan city....a true escape!
The restaurant has been packed since it opened....and I am thrilled at it's success! A must if you are on the North Shore...Marblehead is back on the map as a destination for a great night out with a great restaurant!! -
Review from Pauline D.
Boston, MA
8/2/2011
5 Corners Kitchen is a wonderful addition to Marblehead. The food is amazing, the space is very South End, and the owner/chef, Barry, is working hard to make his business a huge success. He enjoys meeting his guests and chatting with them at the end of the evening.
It can be difficult to get a reservation, so plan ahead. On a rare occasion, our reservation has been delayed - up to an hour - so be prepared to drink a glass of wine or two at the bar ahead of time.
The best restaurant in Marblehead, for sure! -
Review from Tom F.
Marblehead, MA
7/21/2010
Best restaurant in Marblehead, already.
This is the kind of place you'd find in NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, Los Angeles...
The food is excellent -- fresh, artfully plated, inventive, tasty. One thing that separates it is the mixed drinks. I ordered a Mojito -- and it was hand-made (fresh mint leaves, crushed ice, freshly squeezed lime juice). This is a drink that gets made this well at only a few places in Boston -- or anywhere.
Impressive. -
Review from Karen T.
Marblehead, MA
11/22/2010
I was at 5 Corners last Thursday night. My friend and I were really looking forward to going. There were so many good things said about this place. I have to say- I had disappointments.
It is like they packed as many tables as possible in to that space. The waitresses can barely get around and the one we had was not very attentive until my friend made it clear she had not bothered to give us more water when she took our water pitcher away.
The dish we had was very good. No complaints there. It was the tagliatelle dish on the menu and it was very well flavored.
My friend knew the woman at the next table -and at first we were hesitant to talk about anything personal for fear she'd hear. But then we realized there was so much noise - it wouldn't be a problem.
Of course you go to a restaurant for the food - but the ambiance is important when you are out for dinner. And the noise, the close tables and the inattentive, disinterested waitress will prevent me from returning any time soon -
Review from Jim T.
Beverly, MA
Updated - 5/27/2011
Chef Barry now makes his own, home made gelato..... you want it.... trust me
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/11/2011
The Owner is a genius.... Have you ever eaten skate? Its a fish. Stop what you are doing right… Read more »
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Review from pracheta t.
Pittsburgh, PA
9/7/2010
Can I please give this place 10 stars? The fi and I came here for brunch and for once in our entire lives, ordered two entrees and even after clearing off our plates were talking about coming again for dinner. Throughout my life I have been searching for the perfect brioche french toast. I never knew that I was eating garbage until I experienced the mind blowing awesomeness of 5 corners french toast. Don't think twice - just order it. The fi ordered eggs benedict with mushrooms, spinach and tomatoes which was fantastic - the way it should be made. Service was great (our waitress Stephanie was fabulous) and the atmosphere was light, airy and trendy.
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Review from Tom T.
Boston, MA
Updated - 1/30/2011
great food, service, and wine! I will return again, but with reservations farther in advance.
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Review from J Y.
Methuen, MA
6/13/2010
Thoughtful use of a small space, lovely decor, very friendly owner and staff. The prices are very reasonable, considering how upscale the food looks and tastes. We had Sunday brunch there and could not have had a pleasanter time.
The owner used to work at Aquitaine in Boston, and his love for food really shows in the high-quality ingredients and well-crafted dishes. He buys fresh and local, right down to the amazing fresh mushrooms and spinach in the omelette.
Dining this delicious and thoughtful is not easy to find on the North Shore, so we're thrilled and will definitely be back for dinner. The food could be much more expensive and still be well worth the price! -
Review from Gillian O.
Marblehead, MA
8/30/2010
Second time to 5Corners and this meal was just as delicious as my first. I came in planning to have the skate, but then I saw Cape Cod shark on the menu, BUT the special was Blue Fish - I was in fish heaven! Had to go with the blue fish, and it was wonderful!! Perfect balance of summer flavors.
The service is great - professional but friendly. Only thing is the noise as others have mentioned - it's hard to keep up a conversation in the middle of the dinner rush.
Best addition to Marblehead in years - I'm a believer! -
Review from Beth Z.
Salem, MA
2/27/2011
I really wish I could rate this place higher, but I just can't. Service was fine. Perhaps the owners had read some of the earlier reviews and made adjustments. We found the place cozy on a cold winter night and waitstaff very friendly and attentive. The only reason I can't rate them higher is because of the food. Our steak frites were over-salted and all of the dishes were generally too fussy. For example, we had the organic pate which was lovely. However, it was served with over-buttered, over-toasted bread which actually overwhelmed the taste of the pate. The waitress brought us more of the plain bread that was served as we were seated and it went perfectly. The best analogy I can make to the food is a beautiful woman who is wearing way too much make up. In this case, less is more.
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Review from Mark B.
Marblehead, MA
10/18/2010
The fact that all of the reviews so far have given this place five stars demonstrates only how hard up we are for decent restaurants in Marblehead. We were very excited when five corners opened up several months ago, and have now been approximately five times (3 for dinner and two for brunch).
I would give the food four stars - some of the appetizers (such as the soft shell crab) are very good. Steak frites is delicious (especially the frites). Others are just OK (like the overpriced and underwhelming gnocchi). Brunch entrees are generally good (I especially like the croque madame). Desserts are quite good. Prices are generally in line with what they should be (with a few exceptions like the gnocchi) and portions are fine.
Drinks - they don't have a full liquor license (only beer, wine, and cordials), but they still make certain cocktails substituting pisco for the relevant spirit. It works out OK in most cases.
The atmosphere leaves something to be desired. This is a small place and tables are close together. This in and of itself isn't bad, but five corners has TERRIBLE acoustics (perhaps the ill-advised tin ceiling?). My hearing is good, but several people I regularly dine with don't have very good hearing. If this is the case for you or anyone in your party, I'd say skip this place - the hard of hearing won't be able to meaningfully interact. All they'll be able to hear is a general roar of conversation that is a constant -even in a space with a fairly small number of tables.
The service is pretty terrible. I had heard from others that the service could be rude, though this hasn't been my experience - mine has been closer to inattentive/non-existent. Waits for food can be excruciatingly long (and can follow a long wait to even place orders). During your wait, you don't get much in the way of communication (or service). It doesn't make a lot of sense to me - this place has 15 tables at most, and has more than enough servers. I don't understand why it's so hard to keep the service running along smoothly.
I will dine hear again for the food, but in some part it will be a lack of good options in town that guides me there. -
Review from Bob B.
Marblehead, MA
5/22/2010
Had a very nice meal there tonight. Very good service for a new restaurant and the steak frites we had were a strong rival for the steak frites at Thos. Keller's Bouchon in Yountville, which I have always held as the standard. They were a little skimpy on the bread and it is VERY loud when it's full, but otherwise a great experience that I would highly recommend.
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Review from Hugh K.
Wakefield, MA
1/23/2011
Fantastic homemade food (so don't go in when you're pressed for time) in a neighborhood and town known for having to drive miles to acquire same. Chef de cuisine Barry Edelman from Acquitaine seems to shine even brighter in this tight but cozy and not over-loud space, which has come a long way since its last tenant, a bakery that a friend told me she wouldn't even walk into. Wine list was a knockout, too. Usually I'm grasping at straws with a small restaurant wine card; 5 Corners' list was more an embarrassment of riches. And it was fun to debate with our server whether the graphic on the bottle of Merry Edwards sauvignon blanc that wowed our table was more Martha Graham or Sarah Bernhardt-inspired. The frites turned our reserved foursome into grasping animals pulling desperate handfuls out of the bowl. The tagliatelle with duck confit was really the best entree I've had anywhere in months, even after eating at Hundred Acres in New York recently. Also had a taste of a friend's skate wing, which was flat-out terrific. I would advise at least a week out on reservations; this place was slammed and apparently has been since Day One. Easy to see why. Great food and warm service just make a whole roomful of people very happy.
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Review from A G.
Swampscott, MA
5/3/2011
Very cozy restaurant with an excellent food (a little pricey) selection to suit everyone. The only one negative comment that I'd like to make is this place is not for someone who likes a quiet place when you can talk and eat without people at the table next to you listening to your conversation. The tables are very close together. Otherwise, very nice place. Strongly recommend!
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Review from Emily F.
Marblehead, MA
11/11/2010
Great food, interesting and very high quality. Cozy atmosphere, though a little loud when full. Definitely the best restaurant we've been to in Marblehead yet
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Review from Harriet D.
Salem, MA
10/2/2010
The food was good, HOWEVER, we had to wait for an hour for our meal to be delivered after ordering it. We were never told why the long delay. As a consolation, we were given small demitasse size cups of soup. Yea. The noise level is awful. You cannot hear the person across the table. Maybe they should put up curtains, baffles from the ceiling and a rug. Probably will not go again. A bit pricey, everything is a la carte.
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Review from S B.
Stoneham, MA
8/15/2010
Living in Marblehead, my husband and I were anxious to try 5 Corners whereas this town was in need of a "trendy" restaurant with a more sophisticated feel. 5 Corners was not a let down. We had some of the best mussels I have ever tasted and the pasta tagliatelle was to die for. Decor was tastefully done and had an upscale feel to it. Staff was wonderful and always smiling. Prices were very reasonable and in line with what you get. I had a martini that was also fantastic. We have no need to go to another town to have a nice meal with a great atmosphere anymore. We cant wait to return.
