Sur Lie is a very good new restaurant specializing in tapas. Addressing the elephant in the room, despite serving small plates, this restaurant is not trying to compete with the award winning Central Provisions. The owners recognize that Chef Chris Gould is making some of the best food in the country and that is rarified territory. What they have built is a welcoming spot to enjoy delicious food and drink with friends.
Sticking to the theme of a fun night out,the Missus and I sampled liberally from the drink menu cocktails:Midnight Manhattan, Nector of the Bogs, Made Man, and Blood Eagle. We thoroughly enjoyed them all, but the Midnight Manhattan was my stand out favorite. The Punt e Mes vermouth they use makes it delightfully bitter. It made me Happy, happy.
Standout dishes were the scallops with white sweet potato,a wonderful concoction involving plantains and chorizo, and delightful cream of white beans with pork belly. In the first dish I loved the addition of pickled vegetables. They added a delicious crunch to the savory plate. While the chorizo with plantain was a heavenly blend of salty/sweet/tangy goodness. The bean soup was comforting and flavorful, the pork belly managed the rare feat of being both crispy and tender.
Despite my sworn enmity to anything brulee, I could not resist trying the Maine Grain oatmeal pudding with brulee sugar and cranberries for dessert. This dish is based on a recipe the chef’s grandmother made him as a child and is reminiscent of warm rice pudding with a delicate candy top. Service was very,very good almost telepathic and everyone was very warm and welcoming.
Maine Oatmeal Pudding
Scallops with white sweet potato
Pork Belly and White beans