Dine & Dish: Zink Kitchen + Bar

During the food lovers’ bliss that is Restaurant Week, we dined at Zink Kitchen + Bar where the menu features American fare with a modern twist.

To begin the multi-course meal, we tasted the Oyster and Sunchoke Chowder, Stuffed Piquillo Peppers, and Lobster & Shrimp Enchiladas. The chowder was served hot and the smokiness of the bacon crumbles blended nicely with the mild artichoke flavor of a sunchoke. The peppers were vibrantly red and stuffed with a creamy blend of Manchego cheese and chorizo. The favorite appetizer was the generously portioned enchiladas. In this dish, avocado, chipotle cream and lobster combined into a velvety bite that successfully managed to stay on the enjoyable side of the satisfyingly-rich vs. overly-indulgent flavor scale.

For our entrees, we ordered the Beef Cheek Pan Stew and Crisp Skin Suckling Pig. Speaking of teetering on the side of overly-indulgent, I should’ve known that the actual beef cheek would be too heavy for me to enjoy. The dish did win me over, however, with its broth and braised veggies that satisfied every bit of my craving for comfort food. The Suckling Pig was flavorful in its own right, but the real star of the dish was the creamed corn pudding cake. This entrée accompaniment struck a divine balance of sweet and savory and melted in the mouth. May I have another, please?

For dessert, we tasted the Turtle Crème Brulee and Banana Cream Hand Pie. As the names suggest, the desserts were inventive and clever twists from the more traditional variety. The brulee was layered on top of chocolate cake and the favorite part of a brulee - the burnt sugar top - was enhanced with the additional crunch of candied pecans. Also with a twist, the cream of the banana pie was rolled up - almost eggroll style - in a pie crust and rested on a perfectly caramelized banana.

I cannot in good D&D conscious end my review without mention of the location of Zink Kitchen … Being in a general chain hotel, the location is not one which I find appealing. Upon entering the restaurant, one must first ignore the restaurant’s proximity to the hotel swimming pool and the unappetizing aroma of chlorine. Once seated in a table, the décor is standard and the atmosphere tolerable enough to enjoy one’s meal.

Bottom line on Zink Kitchen + Bar: If you can get over the location, the menu and attentive service are worth a try.

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Zink Kitchen + Bar