I imagine that opening a restaurant is a lot like having a baby; Although I’ve done neither to date, it would seem that both acts are exhausting, painful, and life-altering… But hopefully rewarding in the long run. There are of course a few major differences, like ending up with a little bundle of joy versus a walk-in fridge with hundreds of pounds of fresh produce, but the desire to make your mark, and bring some beauty into the world, is perhaps similar. This intent was palpable on the second opening night of V-Note, another creation by the mastermind behind Blossom. This particular venture delves further into the world of vegan dining, and especially wine. Though the concept was partly lost on me since I don’t drink, the food coming out of that kitchen should be enough to entice anyone, imbibing or not.
Though the whole meal wasn’t pitch-perfect, there were many more hits than misses. Fans of Blossom may recognize a few dishes from the previous eatery, but plenty of new and exciting items are more than worth a try. The pistachio and pepper-dusted tofu in particular, arriving as an impressive tower of bean curd and greens, is a stunning dish both in plating and taste. However, it was the grand finale that really makes me want to come back for more.
Unassumingly titled “chocolate ganache cake,” it may be more apt to call it whipped fudge. Just the barest sliver of somewhat forgettable cake made up the base, and the rest was the thickest, richest, and perhaps most intense little square of pure chocolate sweetness I had ever been served. Though diminutive in size, a slice any larger would have been overkill; Carefully composed, the plate was just enough to sate my sweet tooth without feeling gorged after a fine meal.
Though it’s a bit of a trek just for one meal, I will definitely be back in the near future to see how V-Note changes and improves as it hits its stride.
Full disclosure: I was not paid for my opinions nor asked to write a blog post, but my meal was comped.