Barb and I went to Ficus Above last year, about a minute after they opened. We enjoyed most of our food and felt that the service was a bit uneven. At the time we were getting ready to go to Florida and I didn’t feel that the dining experience warranted the time or energy required to write a review. This past weekend we returned with our neighbors and new friends, Art and Lyn. Our experience was much, much better. They had a musical group singing pleasant cover songs. We dined Alfresco, overlooking Nassau St. Quite a nice bit of scenery from the second floor patio. The menu was loaded with interesting options. The service was spot on, informative, and our waitress, Naomi, was very friendly and patient.
Lyn and Art getting ready to chow down.Lyn and I both started with the Beet Carpaccio. It was enhanced by goat cheese, shallots, orange marmalade and pumpkin seeds. We both really enjoyed this dish.Barb and Art both enjoyed their Mediterranean salad with romaine, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, onion, feta and a very nice balsamic vinaigrette.Art pulled this great old cab out of his hat. He obviously stores his wines properly, because the wine held up wonderfully for a bottle almost 20 years old. And boy did it taste great. I recently found a nice wine guy who introduced us to many good wineries and wines many years ago. He’s working part time in the local Bottle King. He recommended this Pinot Noir which we all enjoyed.Barb ordered the Tuna Tartar appetizer for her main course. It was beautifully presented and one of the most delicious versions of this dish that I’ve ever tasted.I ordered the Wagyu Beef Cheek for my entree. It reinforced my theory that the cheek is always the tastiest part of any animals. (Think fish cheeks, quanciale, and many other examples.) This dish was served with potato purée and sautéed spinach. It was a real winner.Lyn really enjoyed her pan-seared Red Snapper with its crispy skin, radish and asparagus. She gave me a taste which I also enjoyed.Art loved his Duck Breast with Baby Carrots, orange marmalade, cranberries, almond relish and pickled persimmons. That’s a mouthful of yum!I closed my meal with a decaf latte and Art had a double espresso.We all shared in a very delicious Crème Brûlée. The top was perfectly caramelized and wonderfully crunchy.Our very kind and thoughtful server, Naomi. She is living proof that an excellent server can really make your dining experience a pleasure.
First, I must acknowledge the fact that my photos have improved greatly. That is because our friend, Lyn Hughes, is a professional photographer and took almost all of the pictures during this meal. I will take credit for the portrait of Lyn and Art and the two bottles of wine. Please do not get used to posts by me with pictures this good. All in all, our meal at Ficus Above was a most pleasurable experience. The ambiance was superb. The food, service and view were all wonderful. Having expected some really interesting cuisine, we brought some really interesting wines. Another nod to the virtues of BYOB restaurants. Ficus Above has ascended to the top tier of my Princeton area restaurant list. Give it a shot. Bring a photographer.
JoshEatsandDrinks 