Marche, Menlo Park, Ca: February 7 and 14, 2009

After a wonderful dinner at Menlo Park’s most elegant eatery on February 7th, we changed our Valentine’s Day plans at Flea Street and signed up for Marche’s surprisingly affordable ($65/person - $20 less than Flea Street) chocolate-infused Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu. One of the more unique aspects of Marche’s setting is the front room seating, which, for the booths on the right side, open to windows viewing the kitchen. It seemed a bit tacky initially, but later found it fascinating watching the sous chef’s running around preparing the various dishes – a true Food Network Reality Show. Next time, I’d definitely request a seat with a “kitchen view”.

As I sit writing this a week later, I don’t remember all the details, but what stands out is the main course: venison, medium rare for all, done with a reduction of some kind that if not memorable in name, certainly was in flavor. We started with a fois gras course, done as a mousse – excellent – though not as good as the grilled version that Lorie and I choose as our appetizers the week before. Desserts – predictably chocolate, decadent, and delicious, but that special touch was the doggie bag of chocolate truffles to take home. Well done. I’d say service was adequate but not the highlight – the staff could have done a better job explaining each course. They seemed either a bit harried or lacking the confidence and/or knowledge you’d expect in a restaurant of this caliber.

The Wines: an appropriately pink Domaine Carneros Rose for Valentine’s Day – my vote for the best California sparkling wine, and a 1990 Pommard “Epenots” Burgundy. The prior week, we also had a 1990 Burgundy – the Echezeaux, Grand Cru, Maniere-Noirot. While I worried that they might be a bit past their primes, both were outstanding, though I’d give the edge to the Pommard – which was also the cheaper of the two (not that we could find either again).

Bottom line: Its great to have such a classy high-end restaurant this close to home, and while not at the level of Chez TJ, nearly half the price. -- GG