juniper

hmmm. finally made it out to juniper this past weekend - the evening started with some disappointment. i had made a reservation for 2 and my designated table was by the large window, facing outside (nice view of boyle st.). my problem was it was less than 30 degrees outside, and that area was quite chilly. i had to leave my down jacket on for the entire meal. our seats were also vintage stools, which were interesting pieces, but they were extremely uncomfortable and had no back. i asked the hostess to re-seat us, and she did try, but the best option was in the middle of a communal table, which is an option that doesn't sit well with me as every word of your conversation is made available to all surrounding you. so i was quite disappointed to stay at our frigid, original seat. in the hostess defense, she was very friendly and tried to accommodate. and the kitchen did send out 2 complimentary deviled eggs, which were amazing! the filling tasting of bacon and a delightful smoky flavor - very enjoyable.
started off with the full bread basket, which was delicious! had the buttermilk biscuit, angel biscuit, cornbread, hushpuppies, and there was one other, the name is failing me. they were all baked to a perfect consistency, and came with sorghum butter and apple butter. delish! i would go back just for this!
i had the chicken and waffles, which was ok. the chicken was quite greasy (but what do you expect from fried chicken?) and i really didn't get much meat from it. the waffles were spongy, but had a nice syrup/peanut butter sauce that helped me take a few bites. overall, i just didn't like this dish compared to times i've had it elsewhere in the past.
my friend had the catfish with sweet potato puree - this was delicious! lightly-battered catfish that had no evidence of "fishy taste" and was perfect in that it didn't give you that heavy, deep-fried, thick batter taste. really enjoyed this dish. we also had the pickled beets which were delightful!
i would definitely try this place again, they had other items on the menu i would be interested to try - however, i hear there is a change coming to their menu this next week. i will definitely be checking out the new menu and what it has to offer.

apologies for the brevity, but my review of le coq came after the restaurant had come and gone. i didn't want to make the same mistake with the agrarian. the current iteration of the restaurant has a lot more proteins available, but no doubt still tries to make vegetables the star. go quick, because they'll be closing their doors in the next couple days. fear not though, juniper is right around the corner - and you'll no doubt find me there.

my initial impression of a good man is hard to find was simply that i need to eat less. be warned, most items on the menu are pretty filling - but it was hard for me to pass up on certain dishes because most of the them are interesting enough that you don't want to miss out on something. and though i tried about 80% of the menu, i still find myself now wishing i'd tried more - which is always a positive thing. i think purely from a food standpoint i preferred the offerings at le coq, but the fact that i wanted to try so much of the menu speaks to how creative many of the dishes are. a good man is hard to find is open for less than two weeks - i'd make your reservations now before this pop-up makes an exit.

pretty good meal. cocktails to start were quite good with a sweetness restrained julep. the bread basket was great with hush puppies a standout. sorghum butter a nice touch, reminiscent of youth (gotta bring back in my house). the chicken was abit disappointing as i do not agree a classic southern fried chicken requires it and find it unpleasantly alters the texture of chicken (had the same impression of place in maplewood). catfish was good though portion somewhat restrained. blueberry buckle was great but serving it in hot skillet caused quick demise of the ice cream. good not great.

the so-called underground dinner groups, which began as almost a form of commando dining - who knew where they would pop up next - have begun taking that pop-up literally, and we have yet another currently working. entre presents a good man is hard to find, a tribute not to mae west, who reversed the adjectives, but to flannery o'connor and her short story. it's in a storefront that's been used successfully as an event space a number of times, so the interior is far smoother than "storefront" would suggest. they've added spanish moss, photos and a picket fence to make you say y'all with more ease. there's a fairly elaborate cocktail menu, and a brief wine list. to go with either of these, there's absolutely no excuse to pass up the bread basket. a full basket includes 6 different items. clear winners are remarkable hush puppies, fluffy angel biscuits and cayenne-enriched cheese sticks, the latter served in a glass. as to the cornbread, my kentucky-bred pal nodded approvingly. "real sou

le coq has come and gone, but a good man is hard to find will be open and serving sophisticated southern cuisine until may 4th. based on the flannery o'connell short story by the same name, agmihtf's comfort foods will make you feel you've found good men is this kitchen! whether your in the mood for a delicious bread basket complete with hush puppies and buttermilk biscuits with sorghum butter, a refreshing southern cocktail like the misfit or a gentleman's drink like the ole pepper belly, or a hearty helping of juicy, crispy fried chicken and waffles, agmihtf is sure to the you whistling dixie! make sure to save room for a brown betty with a scoop of buttermilk ice cream on top!!

le coq is dead. sorry for me, sorry for you, and sorry that i didn't write this review sooner when you had the opportunity to go. the meal was excellent and the best complete meal to date that i've had yet this year. what made the meal particularly fun were the unique and creative combinations of ingredients, paying homage to the ever-present, humble, chicken. the silver lining that i mentioned earlier though, is that coming in march the entre team has an entirely new pop-up restaurant on the horizon, dubbed a good man is hard to find, based on [i believe] flannery o'connor's collection of short stories. the theme will be southern cuisine, and if le coq is any indication of the quality and imagination to be had, i'd make your reservation sooner rather than later.