So for the last couple of years I have been hearing great things about Tiburon in Sandy. On Friday evening we decided to give it a try, and good grief was it FANTASTIC.
I have been to Tiburon's sister restaurant EPIC on a couple of occasions and enjoyed it quite a lot, so I thought I had some idea of what to expect at Tiburon. Upon arriving we had to wait for 30 minutes after our reservation time before getting to our table. We were obviously scheduled for the second seating of the evening, so knowing the restaurant doesn't have control over how long seated guests decide to stay, I didn't mind waiting. However, the staff seemed quite concerned about it, and offered us two complimentary appetizers for our inconvenience. I thought this was quite a grand gesture seeing that the appetizers start at $10.00.
From that point on - everything I put in my mouth was a wonderful experience.
We started with Steamed Mussels with a mild tomato sauce, Baked Camembert Cheese & a thinly sliced green apple with some sort of savory reduction, and the lobster crab cakes. All of these appetizers were something I would recommend to future guests.
Then we were served one of my favorite salads of all time - I think it is essentially the "Ken's Salad" that they serve at Epic. Anyway - it has some greens with a light vinaigrette, fontina cheese, candied walnuts, and a roasted tomato. It's not particularly complicated, but man oh man is it tasty. I could eat one every day.
Following the salad we were served house made sorbet as a palette cleanser. Two scrumptious scoops of lemon and raspberry.
Then came the entree. I debated yet again whether to go with the steak (which is guaranteed to be delicious and make you feel like you are getting your money's worth at a spendy joint) or be more adventurous and try one of their more unique offering like lamb or foie gras. With the help of the waiter and a friend of ours who had tried it before, I ordered the New Zealand Elk. Mind blown. I am a meat guy, and this piece of meat was prepared medium rare, and fit for a King. Literally. It was as tender a piece of meat as I have ever experienced. It came in a flavorful sauce along side garlic mashed potatoes and some very good spaghetti squash. The presentation was its own treat with my plate garnished in a colorful starburst of yellow and orange. I would say this was definitely one of the best meals I have ever had - really. This was good.
As a side note - one of the friends we were dining with ordered the lamb - something else I would not usually order - she gave me a bite and it was also extraordinary. In fact, I don't think I have ever tried lamb that I have enjoyed, but this was worth going back for. Twice.
For dessert we tried the dark chocolate amaretto mouse. A great end to the meal, especially with the fresh fruit it came with.
But nothing, not the dessert or the appetizers, surpassed the excellence of my entree. Which is how it should be, really. How often do you go into a restaurant and your favorite thing ends up being the appetizers or the dessert? For me its all too often.
As I look back on this post it sounds as though Tiburon is full of exotic and unusual foods like elk, lamb, mussels, etc. that only a food snob would enjoy. But the great thing about our experience was that all of these foods were prepared so that ANYONE would love them. I am not a believer in needing to 'develop your palette.' In my mind, food is either delicious or it isn't. This was delicious no matter who you are.
Well done.
I have been to Tiburon's sister restaurant EPIC on a couple of occasions and enjoyed it quite a lot, so I thought I had some idea of what to expect at Tiburon. Upon arriving we had to wait for 30 minutes after our reservation time before getting to our table. We were obviously scheduled for the second seating of the evening, so knowing the restaurant doesn't have control over how long seated guests decide to stay, I didn't mind waiting. However, the staff seemed quite concerned about it, and offered us two complimentary appetizers for our inconvenience. I thought this was quite a grand gesture seeing that the appetizers start at $10.00.
From that point on - everything I put in my mouth was a wonderful experience.
We started with Steamed Mussels with a mild tomato sauce, Baked Camembert Cheese & a thinly sliced green apple with some sort of savory reduction, and the lobster crab cakes. All of these appetizers were something I would recommend to future guests.
Then we were served one of my favorite salads of all time - I think it is essentially the "Ken's Salad" that they serve at Epic. Anyway - it has some greens with a light vinaigrette, fontina cheese, candied walnuts, and a roasted tomato. It's not particularly complicated, but man oh man is it tasty. I could eat one every day.
Following the salad we were served house made sorbet as a palette cleanser. Two scrumptious scoops of lemon and raspberry.
Then came the entree. I debated yet again whether to go with the steak (which is guaranteed to be delicious and make you feel like you are getting your money's worth at a spendy joint) or be more adventurous and try one of their more unique offering like lamb or foie gras. With the help of the waiter and a friend of ours who had tried it before, I ordered the New Zealand Elk. Mind blown. I am a meat guy, and this piece of meat was prepared medium rare, and fit for a King. Literally. It was as tender a piece of meat as I have ever experienced. It came in a flavorful sauce along side garlic mashed potatoes and some very good spaghetti squash. The presentation was its own treat with my plate garnished in a colorful starburst of yellow and orange. I would say this was definitely one of the best meals I have ever had - really. This was good.
As a side note - one of the friends we were dining with ordered the lamb - something else I would not usually order - she gave me a bite and it was also extraordinary. In fact, I don't think I have ever tried lamb that I have enjoyed, but this was worth going back for. Twice.
For dessert we tried the dark chocolate amaretto mouse. A great end to the meal, especially with the fresh fruit it came with.
But nothing, not the dessert or the appetizers, surpassed the excellence of my entree. Which is how it should be, really. How often do you go into a restaurant and your favorite thing ends up being the appetizers or the dessert? For me its all too often.
As I look back on this post it sounds as though Tiburon is full of exotic and unusual foods like elk, lamb, mussels, etc. that only a food snob would enjoy. But the great thing about our experience was that all of these foods were prepared so that ANYONE would love them. I am not a believer in needing to 'develop your palette.' In my mind, food is either delicious or it isn't. This was delicious no matter who you are.
Well done.
