A charmingly cozy atmosphere with a terribly tempting menu….what could go wrong?

My most recent visit to Seven Quarts Tavern this past weekend was not my first; I’d been several times before and always enjoyed myself…but after this establishment changed ownership about a year ago, the reviews I was hearing about what had been a favorite place of mine were troubling. Finally, I knew I had to get back in to decide for myself if this place oft frequented by my Hook & Ladder Company was still the same (or hopefully, even better!)

I had my heart set on trying the entire small plates menu….but upon further inspection, it had grown exponentially from my last visit so instead I narrowed it down to “just a few” options, only 7. A girl has to have options, right? Haha, they say the eyes are bigger than the stomach; I guess it’s true!

Bring on the “SMALL PLATES”

Chicken Lettuce wraps, OMG! The first dish to arrive, and honestly, the only thing that held me back from throwing all three down in quick succession was knowing that there was more yummies on the way. Crisp butter lettuce cups filled with pulled chicken in a sweet chili sauce topped with pickled slaw, watermelon radish (gorgeous) nuts and a creamy chipotle sauce…these were so good looking that the diners at the table next to us had to ask what they were. I want more even now…this was my most favorite dish of the night!

Up next was the Crab Meadow Cake ( I see what you did there). Instead of multiple small cakes, this was one big piece, probably more appropriate as a sandwich patty than a share plate, but we made do. Served over a bed of arugula (my favorite!) with slices of orange and a drizzle (smear really?) of what was dubbed cilantro remoulade….I tasted the flavors of horseradish and mustard, so there’s that. Verrry tasty when you got a bite of everything at once…the spicy kick of arugula with the sweetness of an orange really set off the salty crab flavor, and the sauce (whatever it was) was quite enjoyable!

Deviled Eggs….not something you see everyday on your standard dinner menu, and prior to having them here a few years ago, they were not something I’d ever had contact with at all! Now I’m obsessed and really can’t get enough, and this particular version was no exception to my new Deviled Egg obsession. The pickled jalapeno on the side is a great idea because some people (ahem, my husband) don’t enjoy the spicier side of life…also it means you can add as much as you want to each bite! The filling itself was very rich and creamy, you could definitely taste the mustard, but I swear I was tasting something else, maybe red pepper hummus?? Maybe? If so, YES, that’s a great idea! And sprinkling crispy bacon on top always gets bonus points from me…in general, if you haven’t had deviled eggs in a while, it’s worthy to note that they are not just for south of the Mason Dixon line…try some ( and yes, do thank me later!)

Yunan Ribs were up next, and oh boy did I wish there had been more! That is the only problem with “small” plates and sharing…there’s not a lot and did I mention the sharing? These fall off the bone ribs were drenched in a Chinese-style BBQ sauce that was perfectly caramelized. I wish I could tell you I had eaten these politely in public with my utensils…I do wish I could. Instead I went to TOWN on them and was very happy to receive the wet nap from our waitress. If you’re feeling super polite (or on a date) these can be easily eaten with your fork like a lady.

So now, midway through our small plate spectacular, my husband is looking a little tired, like maybe I should have chosen a stronger companion for this task. He’s definitely slowing down, and I warn him that we still have 3 more foods coming our way. A true trooper, he perked right up when the Filet Mignon Tidbits were set down. Served up in a little cast iron pan, these steak bites are cooked with thick cut mushrooms in a garlic wine sauce, and then topped with grated Asiago cheese and served with a side of cheesy garlic crostini. They are just perfect together, scoop up a nice mix of meat and mushrooms to top your crostini and a little drizzle of the au jus….yum!

Finally, we were served our last two dishes, Buffalo Wings and Korean Street Tacos…and this is where we were derailed 😦 The service all night had been consistently slow as the restaurant was packed. My original plan to order 7 dishes and to have them for the most part all at once was denied due to our table for two being able to accommodate barely one plate at a time (and my request to move to a larger space so that we could have everything at once was not able to be met). Drinks were hard to come by the first time…refills, almost impossible. This place does a very popular bar service, and while two servers worked our area of 8 tables, I’m guessing that they also were serving the rest of the restaurant? Mostly to be expected on a Friday night, so it did not come as any surprise.

Our “Buffalo” wings were not buffalo…they came out as Sweet Chili instead. They looked great, but after having many other chili-style flavors, we were really wanting the spice of buffalo. After finally flagging down our waitress she apologized profusely, and went to get the correct dish, but by the time they came out, we just ended up taking them home. As a side note-they re-heat really well! We enjoyed them over the weekend!

Korean Street Tacos…served on Bao buns for authenticity? For hipsters? Whatever the reason, they’re not “for” me. Tacos are kind of a BIG DEAL in my life and I’m rarely (if ever) let down when I’m eating them. This was a huge disappointment. The buns have no place on anything called a taco…change this up immediately, call them Pulled Pork sliders, because at best, that’s what this mess is. No flavor to the buns. No flavor to differentiate between the pork, the bbq sauce, the cabbage slaw, or the cheese that are overstuffed in to the flavorless buns. And yes, overstuffed should lead to the conclusion that a single bite will cause any remaining fillings to fall out. Save yourself the letdown (and the $13!) and order something else from their otherwise well done, quite tasty menu.

On the whole, Seven Quarts Tavern is a great place for casual dining, or if you decide to order off their significantly more expensive regular sized menu, it can even be a more upscale evening. Their bar has a large selection of craft beers, ciders, wines and spirits and believe me when I say, their happy hour is a raucous one! Be prepared to wait as the service can be a bit slow, but aside from those “tacos” all the food is well worth the wait! P.S. I hear they have an EPICCCCCCC Bloody Mary called the Bruno….let us know if you go and try it! IT COMES WITH A BURGER AND SHRIMP!