Still trying new places and this looked unlike the typical city fare: Compère Lapin.
Located inside the Old No. 77 Hotel near the convention center, this place has a definite younger vibe and clientele. Active bar scene in a space that appears to have been a warehouse in past years.
The menu isn’t extensive….I’d call it French caribbean with a touch of Italy. Plenty of great seafood choices with kumamoto oysters from the PNW! Even more interesting, I overheard the couple next to me talking about Seattle with the wait staff….they live down the street from me…very small world!
Wasn’t that hungry so I started with a small place of fried conch croquettes served with pickled pineapple tartar sauce…interesting but the batter overwhelmed the subtle flavors of the conch. I was torn in the selection of the main and didn’t go with the more hearty recommendations of the wait staff…curried goat with sweet potato gnocchi or the trio of pork with golden beets and cherry jus. Instead I went with the clams with shrimp and chili served on a bed of scialatielli pasta The dish was lighter but had plenty of butter. Flavors were very good with the only disappointment being the inconsistent removal of sand from the steamer clams…a bit gritty. Despite this, I had no problem eating the entire dish.
Finished with the chocolate bar which was topped with whipped cream that had a hit of mint. There was a side of very light coconut sorbet….seemed made from coconut water….almost too light for the dish.
The wine list is very extensive…the best so far…that leaned toward French selections but was world wide in options.
