Reviewed by a Galpal
Galpal Review: Pine Social
Monday, October 11, 2010
Suzy can't wait to try this new eatery in town after reading Dee's positive review.
I attended the Pine Social restaurant at 36 Pine Street in New Canaan last night, Wednesday, September 29th, after making my dinner reservations on Open Table for 7:30. This was very easy and they had my reservation. We sat down right away.
The atmosphere is a pub type with an excellent bar that is separated from the rest of the restaurant. There is a nice large table up front and sofas and a cozy nook for drinks/dinner up front as well. There are nice booths along the side of the dining area.
The two of us sat at a table for four in the middle of the dining area. It was fairly busy for a Wednesday night, but out waiter, Fabio, came over right away after we had our menus from the hostess and got us water. The wine list is very nice and I ordered a Prosecco which was excellent.
The menu has many things to choose from in all price ranges. The appetizers were plentiful and I had a hard time choosing between the beef carpaccio and the beet salad. I chose the beet salad which had golden and red beets. Fabio told me they roast them in the restaurant and I could taste the difference. They were delicious! The were served with two circles of goat cheese which were lightly breaded and sauteed so they were just warm enough but not melted. I order the beet salad in every restaurant I can and I can safely say this is the best beet salad in Fairfield County. I have tried them at l’Escale and Country Club of Darien where the price is $13-18 and they are not as good as this $9 salad at the Pine Social.
For the entree I chose the sea bass and my friend chose the filet mignon. The food came out right on time after the salad and it was piping hot! I could tell it did not sit for one minute, but came right off the grill. We had to wait a few seconds for it to cool. I have not experienced this in a restaurant in a long time.
The sea bass was served with an apple cider reduction (nice for fall) and little cubed apples and (surprise!) little cubes of pancetta. I think everything tastes better with bacon, but this was really a nice touch. It was served on a bed of wilted spinach. The fish was done perfectly and it was nice and white and flaky. My friend’s filet was very large. She couldn’t finish it, so I get to try it for lunch today. It was served with roasted shallots and done to perfection.
Fabio was an excellent waiter and answered all our questions. He was very personable. He also was knowledgeable about each of the dishes and how they were made. He also knew about the wine list. We had a white Sauvignon Blanc with dinner. They had enough wait staff to keep our water glasses full. The service was excellent.
Even though this restaurant is tucked next to a liquor store and a Walgreens, it is a step up from most restaurants I have been to in terms of service, food and selection. I would definitely recommend it to everyone I know. It is a great little place and I could get used to going once a week or more!
Suzy Tip: We've heard it's a perfect spot for a cozy dinner with your date or your pals, so leave the kids at home
The Pine Social
New Canaan, CT
Open Daily @ 5 PM
203-966-5200
To reserve your table online click here
www.pinesocial.com
I attended the Pine Social restaurant at 36 Pine Street in New Canaan last night, Wednesday, September 29th, after making my dinner reservations on Open Table for 7:30. This was very easy and they had my reservation. We sat down right away.
The atmosphere is a pub type with an excellent bar that is separated from the rest of the restaurant. There is a nice large table up front and sofas and a cozy nook for drinks/dinner up front as well. There are nice booths along the side of the dining area.
The two of us sat at a table for four in the middle of the dining area. It was fairly busy for a Wednesday night, but out waiter, Fabio, came over right away after we had our menus from the hostess and got us water. The wine list is very nice and I ordered a Prosecco which was excellent.
The menu has many things to choose from in all price ranges. The appetizers were plentiful and I had a hard time choosing between the beef carpaccio and the beet salad. I chose the beet salad which had golden and red beets. Fabio told me they roast them in the restaurant and I could taste the difference. They were delicious! The were served with two circles of goat cheese which were lightly breaded and sauteed so they were just warm enough but not melted. I order the beet salad in every restaurant I can and I can safely say this is the best beet salad in Fairfield County. I have tried them at l’Escale and Country Club of Darien where the price is $13-18 and they are not as good as this $9 salad at the Pine Social.
For the entree I chose the sea bass and my friend chose the filet mignon. The food came out right on time after the salad and it was piping hot! I could tell it did not sit for one minute, but came right off the grill. We had to wait a few seconds for it to cool. I have not experienced this in a restaurant in a long time.
The sea bass was served with an apple cider reduction (nice for fall) and little cubed apples and (surprise!) little cubes of pancetta. I think everything tastes better with bacon, but this was really a nice touch. It was served on a bed of wilted spinach. The fish was done perfectly and it was nice and white and flaky. My friend’s filet was very large. She couldn’t finish it, so I get to try it for lunch today. It was served with roasted shallots and done to perfection.
Fabio was an excellent waiter and answered all our questions. He was very personable. He also was knowledgeable about each of the dishes and how they were made. He also knew about the wine list. We had a white Sauvignon Blanc with dinner. They had enough wait staff to keep our water glasses full. The service was excellent.
Even though this restaurant is tucked next to a liquor store and a Walgreens, it is a step up from most restaurants I have been to in terms of service, food and selection. I would definitely recommend it to everyone I know. It is a great little place and I could get used to going once a week or more!
Suzy Tip: We've heard it's a perfect spot for a cozy dinner with your date or your pals, so leave the kids at home
The Pine Social
New Canaan, CT
Open Daily @ 5 PM
203-966-5200
To reserve your table online click here
www.pinesocial.com
