4 /5 yousef: Its name suggests fundamental strength, and it certainly leans into quality ingredients, but the price point feels a touch elevated beyond itself. The ambiance skews towards a quiet, mature, respectable dining room. Service, while perfectly competent, lacks the anticipatory approach one expects when dining at a premium. More critically, the portions across the board left me feeling hungry at the end of the meal and I contemplated a second dinner.
The uni waffle was truly a unique dish that became a culinary memory. Golden, airy waffle coupled with delicate uni. Sweet savory nori honey butter and yuzu cream. I nearly immediately ordered a second. While the beets themselves were of good quality, the beet salad was heavy-handed with the horseradish crème fraîche and dressing. The corn agnolotti had a pillowy texture, but then came the bacon crumble that bulldozed the sweetness of the corn and cheese. I needed less of it. The ny strip & short rib was well executed with both cuts cooked precisely, offering dependable comfort. While not reinventing the wheel it was reliably good. Ultimately, Backbone is where exceptional ingredients take the stage, but the overall value proposition leaves one pondering.
