summary: 7/10 to start, .... summary: 7/10
to start, this is my first time at this kind of restaurant - the kind with somewhat strange concoctions that some top-tier chef has come up with, the kind of stuff you see on "top chef" that is both intriguing and scary. which summarizes how i felt about my experience.
the positives: i loved the atmosphere! from the exterior the restaurant is almost invisible, understated amongst the noise and bustle of south street. you walk in, and it's a classy and casual, young and sophisticated vibe. i didn't sit at the chefs table, but i saw multiple couples move there after seeing how fun it looked! theserviceis amazing; knowledgable, friendly, and fast. the decor is super cool.
the ok: the beer selection was minimal, but my dates loved the three different brews he tried. i opted for wine; i wish there were more by-the-glass options, many were bottle-only. the riesling i ordered was tasty. i also wish there had been a little more room between the tables - there was less than a foot between us and the two-person tables to our right and left!
the food: my date and i both ordered the 12-course chefs specialty taster menu thing. $85 a person seemed a bit overpriced, but it came down to about $7 per course, which makes it seems not so exorbitant! i thought it was generally just ok. there were some courses i did not particularly like, particularly around courses 3-7. these included a cold mushroom salad and an egg custard with caviar. the textures of both were odd and the flavors underwhelming. not to mention the first course - two potato chips. i kid you not. i also hated one of the two desserts: shaved foi gras with apple jelly and peanuts. i couldn't get past the fact that i was eating thinly shaved duck fat. texture and flavor were both unappealing.
the other 7-8 courses were generally good. all very small, as is to be expected, i suppose. the i did like the fish courses, but was not wowed. the three main course/savory meat dishes were very good, especially the oxtail with daikon. the sauce/marinade was to die for. the final course (the second dessert) was delicious and a great way to end the culinary adventure.
all in all, i would probably go again, but i would order from the menu to be more assured of receiving food i was likely to enjoy. expect to spend a lot here: 2-3 dishes per person plus drinks will add up. but for a unique dining experience that is both fancy and fun, i would definitely give serpico a shot.