The Mandolin Restaurant Bringing Uniqueness to Each Dish

Restaurant:  Mandolin in Raleigh, NC

Dish:  Country-Fried Hudson Valley Foie Gras

Critique:  Yeppers!  “We’re moving on up to a deluxe apartment in the sky!”  That’s right; we’re eating fancy French food.  We have never tried foie gras before, but the way the waiter pronounced the dish (fwa gra) made it sound so beautiful.   Leave it to the French to make goose liver sound absolutely decadent.  Oh and it was! It felt like we were sinning with each bite.   Served with black truffle-creamed corn crepes, topped with plump blackberries and black pepper- this foie gras experience is worth repeating over and over again.  Merci Mandolin for providing us with our wonderful first foie gras         memories!   Until we meet again, au revoir!

                                                                                   Score: 4 out of 4 Hotties!

Dish:  Chicken and Waffles with Braised Greens

Critique:  Oh yea, babe…who doesn’t like fried chicken and waffles?  Well, the Madolin’s dish is the upscale version.  It even arrived with some pretty foam on top- Sweetly almost sent the plate back because she thought they were suds.  The Hotness had to explain that the foam was a fancy decoration.  Now to the good stuff- the chicken breast was crispy, moist, and complimented the buckwheat waffles perfectly.  Our only complaint was that the greens had way too much vinegar and the level of acidity was distracting.  Nonetheless, the sautéed mushrooms and bacon helped make this dish a hit.

                                                                                    Score: 3 ½ out of 4 Hotties!

Dish:  Peach Bourbon Bread Pudding

Critique:  The Hotness loved the tasty North Carolina peaches and one could definitely taste the bourbon throughout the dessert.  However, she only wished that the dish was sweeter, maybe add a touch off honey or a pound of sugar.  Mandolin, don’t be afraid.  Come on…bring the sweetness! We can handle it.

Score: 3 out of 4 Hotties!