Last night Samuel took his two daddies out for dinner at a new spot which is part of the Clyde's conglomerate. KEMBLE PARK TAVERN (www.kembleparktavern.com) on MacArthur Blvd. in the Palisades is reasonably priced and decent food with nice decor to boot. The inside has big cushy leather armchairs at tables for two and intimate booths as well. We opted to sit outside as the weather was so nice, as most folks did.
The wine list offers up 9 whites and 5 reds at $27 or less per bottle and also by the glass, many more wines range just higher in the 30's, with some pricey options even higher. We chose a PENFOLD's MERLOT 2007 "Rawson's Retreat" which at $27 these days from SE Australia just an't be beaten. Samuel enjoyed the requisite Sprite and ordered the great deal of a Children's meal for $6.95 which included Fries, Peas & Carrots and English-style Fish Sticks which were nothing like the regular processed ones usually sevred up. This was fresh battered and fried; sadly Samuel prefers the packaged type! He enjoyed the bag of Animal Crackers included for dessert as well. The dry breads (corn and regular) were nothing to rave about although the very soft frothy whipped butter with large salt grains was nice (but has been sitting out way too long).
The best dish of the evening was our appetizer of FILET MIGNON TARTARE served in a mason jar with crostini and made with olives, capers and sprinkled with tasty wasabi sprouts. The other appetizer of SHORT RIB SLIDERS was also pretty tasty with three small sandwiches filled with the tasty meat, sweet onions all caramelized and a dill pickle with some Vermont cheddar on top. They were quite filling as well.
The entrees fared a bit less enjoyable with the STEAK FRITES having a nice cut of wood grilled meat seasoned with grey salt (although Will had some gristle in his 1/2) with a side of gravy and super yummy TRUFFLE FRIES (the thick steak cut) dribbled with Asiago cheese. Indeed, the sides were the hit as my TEA RUBBED BABY BACK RIBS were okay, but very messy and not worth raving about and the star on the plate was the GRUYERE GRITS, creamy, rich and decadent and mixed with some pork shreds for extra flavor. The barbeque slaw in a thimble container was just okay.
As we were finishing a swarm of mosquitoes attacked and Samuel got a bad bit on his wrist that blew up to about 1 inch long. We smothered it with ice and he moved seats to be away from the sidewalk where they seemed to be coming from, but it was too late. We were all a bit distraught, simply asked for the check and headed home. Nobody was crying, but we really were not thrilled either.
