Let me start by admitting something--Tango wasn't our first choice. We haven't been to Plan B in a long time, so we figured we'd give that a shot--then we heard that the wait was 70-90 minutes and I looked at Tom and we walked out the door (sorry, but it's not that serious!). So, I pull out my blackberry to figure out what is nearby and Tango popped up--I said to Tom that I had heard good things about it a while back, but I really couldn't remember much about it. So we figured, what the hell, let's give it a shot. Boy, were we glad we did.
Pulling up to the building, you wouldn't immediately think "restaurant"--the design and architecture is so different than anything else you'd typically expect to see, but it is beautifully designed, with tons of big windows, an outdoor patio and really neat spiral wood block columns on the inside. We walked in to a warm, romantic, yet casual atmosphere and was quickly seated. Staff came over immediately to fill water glasses, take our drink order and then the strangest thing happened--our waitress came by with a small bowl of hot water and a plate with two white discs and a pair of tweezers on it. She could see the quizzical look on our faces and explained that the discs were expanding towelettes to rinse our hands off with--major points, right there! It almost takes you back to childhood but with such a grown-up touch.
A basket of fresh bread, homestyle biscuits and whipped cinnamon butter was brought to us--I could have ate just the biscuits and that cinnamon butter all night and I would have been happy. Perusing the menu, we decide to try an appetizer since they were quite reasonably priced and creative. We chose the fried calamari--tossed with sautéed chorizo, sweet cherry peppers and a cider vinegar reduction--the chorizo gave this dish a nice heat while it was really the cider vinegar reduction that gave this dish the special something (be sure to mix the bowl of calamari when it is brought to your table to spread the vinaigrette all over). The portion was huge for the two of us, so we opted to box half of it to save room for our entrees. After appetizer, an amuse was brought out--a spoonful of melon fruit salsa with crispy prociutto--sweet and refreshing.
Onto the main course--Tom had the braised bacon roast served over buttered asparagus dusted with fennel pollen and assorted stir-fried vegetables--Tom loved his dish, finding it to be very tender yet filling. His vegetables were well thought out, instead of the usual haphazard side dish of randomness, seasoned and cooked to perfection. I had the Butter Basted Tenderloin Medallions-loaded mashed potatoes, a sweet demiglace, and fried cioppolinis. The plate was very nicely presented with the tenderloin cooked to a perfect medium. The best part was the demiglace--it really changed the whole flavor of the dish and made me crave more! Needless to say, we both polished our meals.
If everything we'd had until this point had been this good, it was essential that we try dessert. Just before dessert came, another surprise arrived. This time, a large white bowl was brought to the table, inside was filled with warm water and orange slices floating on top--then, our waitress opened a thermos and poured liquid nitrogen into the bowl and this incredible white rolling fog appeared all over our table, lightly scented with fresh oranges--it was called the "aromatherapy course." I said to my waitress that it was literally the coolest thing I've ever seen done (it was--the fog was "cool"...). To top off our evening, our dessert arrived--chocolate threeway--white chocolate mousse, warm chocolate cake and soft dark chocolate triangles--yep, we were in heaven.
I want to go back already. This is definitely our new special occasion spot. I'm tellin ya, you will not regret giving this gem a shot. Thanks to the staff for a great dining experience!
www.cttango.com
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