It looks crowded. Your heart sinks as you think “there isn’t any room for me”. You are pleasantly surprised, however, when the hostess leads you through a doorway that opens into another dining area, closer to the kitchen and to the culinary delights within. The lights are low, the crowd is adult, and the atmosphere is inviting. You take your seat across from your dining partner and think to yourself what a perfect place to have dinner with… your mother?
OK, so I had dinner at Think Café with my mother. We all do it at one time or another. Luckily for me, Think Café is a Western Avenue nook that makes a great place to dine with a friend, a lover, or even your mom.
ATMOSPHERE
I believe you get the jist of the atmosphere from my opening reverie. It’s close, cozy, and elegant. Unfortunately for me, it smelled a bit like it had been freshly painted the day I was there but that won’t deter me from going back. And, although I didn’t stay quite that late, the website boasts about a romantic atmosphere after 10 p.m. “when the lights are turned off and candle lit tables create an intimate mood.”
CROWD
Children, beware! This is not a child-friendly atmosphere. Couples and groups of friends, both young and old, will be found gathering in Think Café. The atmosphere itself seems to make one want to dress somewhere between business casual and not-quite-ball gown formal. There were, to my dismay, a few lazy looking people in jeans. To them I’d like to say “You’re out to dinner, not in to TV tray!”
SPIRITS
Think Café is a B.Y.O.B. restaurant. That’s right, diner. You won’t be given the evil eye for bringing your own zesty brew into this restaurant. Wine seemed to be the prevailing faction but there was an occasional six-pack strolling through the tables. However, be forewarned. All you cheapies who saw B.Y.O.B. and thought you could get away with a $2 bottle of wine, you will be charged a $4 fee for corking and glass setup.
GRUB
Though shalt not call this “grub”. It is far too good, and far too expensive, to be called “grub”. Appetizers will run you anywhere between $6-12 each. The crab cakes were served over a bed of greens and were quite scrumptious, although slightly gamier than I was prepared for. A fresh soup is made daily and you are given a choice of several salads, in the small or large variety. I personally chose the “Think Salad” and was not at all disappointed with the plate of mixed greens with walnut, pear, and blue cheese sprinkled about.
The Pasta and Main Course section is very satisfying. Some of the more economical choices are the Ravioli stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach and topped with a sweet roasted pepper sauce for $12, or the Vegetarian Farfalla with bowtie pasta, mushrooms, spinach, and sun dried tomato in a butter parmesan sauce, also for the same price. And, as all spectrums most have another end, this spectrum contains a Rack of Lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus for $26.
The portions are generous enough that my Linguine and Scallops made it home with me for a delicious reappearance the next night. The menu lists a $5 extra plate charge for those of you who want to share. The desserts are made fresh daily, and like the entrees, there is a new special often. I was fortunate enough to enjoy the Cannoli Basket, a fried pastry cup filled with cannoli cream, tipped sideways, and decorated with a shower of berries cascading from the basket like colored ribbons, all topped with an edible orchid. Gorgeous!
WHY IT’S UNIQUE
It’s romantic, the food is exquisite, and the presentation is outstanding. If you have a date you want to impress, please, bring her to Think Café. Your mom will enjoy it, as well.
Photos courtesy of Think Café
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
