Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf
5/5
My friend's sorcery managed to snag us a reservation here for my birthday dinner and I won't lie, I've been trying to find ways to dock points because a perfect score seems too obvious. However, there really isn't anything I would change about any of the items we ordered. The vibes were immaculate, the service great, the wine list extensive, and the food was nothing short of fantastic. I get why snagging this reservation requires an alarm, a Resy notification, a spellbook, and possibly a sacrifice.
Sourdough: 5/5 - "How do you tell how good bread is without tasting it? Not the smell, not the look, but the sound of the crust. Listen... Oh, symphony of crackle. Only great bread sound this way." Colette, Ratatouille. This is the only explanation I can offer for this bread. And yes, they just bring you the entire loaf, warm, with (really yellow, creamy) butter and flaky salt.
Cocktails: 5/5 - We ordered the Cosmopolitan, the Cucumber, the French, and an Old Fashioned. Each was really well balanced, with flavor profiles that fit all of our palettes. I'll take a pitcher of the French and a bucket of ice and be very content.
Classic Ribeye - Chicago Cut: 5/5 - 16 oz of absolutely delicious, tender beef. Ordered it medium rare and ended up with the perfect amount of crust to tender center and flavor for days. I'd like to swim in the bearnaise.
Wagyu Skirt Steak Frites: 5/5 - I'm not sure there is anything I can say here that hasn't been said about wagyu before. Medium rare, soft, silky, this was basically the velvet of meats. Eat it on its own or with that bearnaise that still haunts my dreams (in a good way) and your taste buds are about to have that Ratatouille moment. And this coming from someone who is not normally a carnivore.
Truffle Mac 'n Cheese: 5/5 - They have somehow managed to make a mac 'n cheese that is both creamy without being thick, has truffle without it being an overpowering flavor, and somehow is both rich and light at the same time. The perfect combination of flavor and texture (that pasta was perfectly al dente) and the top was crunchy and golden. I will happily clog my arteries with this any day of the week.
Elote Style Corn: 5/5 - Tangy, zesty, bright, enough saltiness from the generous coating of parmesan. It's corn, which is already delicious, then dressed up like Mexican Independence Day, and served up for your enjoyment. Truly the best way to enjoy corn.
Button Mushrooms: 5/5 - If you're a mushroom person these are the ones. The garlic and thyme help bring these to life and then the creamy sherry sauce just seals the deal. Great flavor balance and the texture was perfect, none of that rubbery mushroom nonsense that can sometimes happen.
Chocolate Cream Pie: 5/5 - We were debating between this and the Lemon Meringue Pie and asked our server which she recommended. I hadn't even finished saying "Lemon Mer-" before she said "the chocolate cream pie, hands down." So we got it, and let me tell you, my brain forgot the definition of the word disappointment. It's like a chocolate tart and chocolate mousse had a beautiful baby. Creamy, rich, velvety, the crust is the perfect amount of crunch. It doesn't leave a weird film over your tongue, neither bitter not overly sweet, this was the chocolate pie to end all chocolate pies. Not to mention it paired PERFECTLY with the...
Espresso Martini: 5/5 - Fellow foodies... I believe I have found my number 2 choice in the city. The flavor? Decidedly espresso without being bitter. The balance? Perfect. The texture? Smooth and silky. The froth? Immaculate. Equal parts bitter and sweet, this one really cemented its spot in the Espresso Martini ranking upon the first sip. Truly a delight!
