Chris V.'s Profile

So, I have been real excited about Urban Solace since walking by it last month at Ray at Night. WOW! What a great space. I love it when owners have a great idea and make it happen. As we passed by, it was a place you want to be in. Great decor, ambience and a nice patio.

From checking out the menu outside and again on the website (http://www.urbansolace...), I decided to give it an anticipated visit and took a good friend along for the ride. For the record we ate there Wednesday, October 31 at 6:45 pm.

Upon entering, we received a friendly greeting and were taken to our table inside. The place has an great feel and I was really excited about the space and its decor -- simple, modern and minimal. I love restaurants set up in older building as its so much more appealing than other restaurants in that area that are in little strip malls with drop tile ceilings or decor from before my time. Can you tell I'm a Libra?

With enthusiasm and very hungry bellies, we started off with the Sweet Potato French Fries with Blue Cheese Dressing $5. The flavor was good although our specimen lacked a little on the initial appeal. It reminded me of when you dump out a carton of fries from any fast food restaurant -- kind clumped together with very few whole fries and lots on little pieces. Check out the Sweet Potato Fries at Lei for better ones. (Note: we did eat them all as we were starving, even the little bits.)

For Entrees, I chose the Cinnamon Brined Center Cut Pork chop, Stewed Greens & Sweet Corn Spoon Bread $15.25. The presentation was nice and the pork chop was cooked perfect. I expected it to have a stronger cinnamon flavor, but it was over-powered by a little too much salt. Maybe that is how its suppose to be with "brined" mentioned in the name of the dish. The greens had a nice flavor with a hint of wasabi, but again a little salty. The Sweet Corn Spoon Bread was basically a lighter corn muffin. I think a corn souffle would have been a more interesting match for the pork chop.

My friend ordered the Pulled Chicken and Buttermilk Dumplings, like no other! (so, they say) $13.50. We were both a little disappointed upon its arrival as it was an entree, but was the exact same size of the side-dish of Wisconsin Cheddar Mac n' Cheese, we ordered to split.

OK, I'm from the south and I know me sum Chinkn' & Dumplin's, and these left much to be desired. The dumplins were very doughy and the chicken was nonexistent -- were's the hand-pulled chicken?  I though my friend might start crying. LOL We both agreed that for $13.50, you would get more chicken than dough, even if it were a whole thigh or two legs on top. On a happy note, the Mac N Cheese had great flavor except, we thought it was too soupy.

To finish out our evening, we decided on two deserts. The first being the Warm & Gooey Chocolate Cake, Cocoa Nibs, Toasted Almond Sauce $6. When it arrived, we both looked at it...than at each other...and our thought was, "cute!"  And it was a cute little chocolate muffin with nice flavor and a gooey center. Luckily we also order the Peanut Butter and Chocolate Creme Brulee $6. This hot little number was much more up to par visually as well as taste. I am a sucker for peanut butter and Chocolate and if you add Creme Brulee...well, you know its gonna be sexual! It was the perfect end to a somewhat lack-luster beginning.

All that said, Urban Solace has a great, big-city vibe! The service was great with a team-effort approach the had various staff constantly taking care of our every need. The menu was simple and honest with a spectrum of tempting dishes. We would like to see them just beef-up the protein portions on the entrees, especially when listing the protein as the first or main ingredient.

Urban Solace is a welcomed site in a great neighborhood and once they come into their own, I think the food will match the ambience and friendliness of the staff. I will continue to go back and support them as look forward to giving them 5 stars in the near future.

OK, most people are familiar with Cafe on Park for breakfast but, if you haven't been in for dinner, check it out.

Its a quaint, little restaurant with a casual/loft-like atmosphere. What I like about it is there has never been a wait. That's what makes it the perfect little in-and-out restaurant for taking friends, just off the plane or a last minute date ;-)

Its located just a few doors down from the Crypt, so if the date goes well its convenient to shop after wards for any supplies you may need at home--that's another review. (wink)

Presentation, variety and flavor are all "top-drawer," without the  over-the-top prices like some neighboring restaurants. There is a wonderful menu, full of yummy temptations like; Chorizo Meatloaf with Whipped Potatoes, Pork Chops with Barbecue Cream Sauce, Turkey Dinner with a modern spin and Free-Formed Lasagna, that might make you slap your momma. Or, at least bring her in on her next visit to the gay-borhood.

And, if you are looking to have a birthday dinner with friends, they can accommodate up to about 14 people.  *NEWSFLASH*  I recently heard that they are expanding and will be featuring a brand-new private dinning room that will accommodate a larger group or private dinner party.

Cafe on Park features a full bar of your favorite cocktails, wines and beer and don't forget about desert. There is always a few great deserts of the moment like; Strawberry Cobbler, Cheesecake or some spin on a decadent Bread Pudding.

So, if you like breakfast at Cafe on Park, just wait until you try the dinner -- Umm Umm Good!