Troquet on South combines three of my favorite things in a restaurant; ambiance, wine (an extraordinary wine program) and excellent food.

Let’s start with the wine because that is what sets Troquet apart from other restaurants. Troquet on South is acclaimed for offering rare and hard-to-find wines at reasonable price points. There are some 45 wines by the glass that can be purchased in 2oz or 4oz sizes or in flights from $20-$30. The 2 oz is perfect if you are doing multiple courses. The full list is remarkable and unbelievably well priced. All menu items also come with a wine recommendations which makes the process totally stress free. White wines are perfectly chilled at 45 degrees and red at 58.

I started with the Raw Bar selection and I couldn’t resist the Krug Grande Cuveé Brut pairing. Pasta followed as the Ricotta Cavatelli rolled by hand with wild mushrooms, Parmesan, black truffle and paired with the recommended 2013 Citto Super Tuscan.

My entree was a wonderful Whole-Roasted Dover Sole with morel mushroom ravioli, roasted asparagus and fiddlehead ferns which I paired with the suggested 2011 Domaine des Baumard Savennières. Perfect.

The dessert choices were enticing, but I had been told not to miss the cheese course. They were right, it was wonderful, particularly when paired with a 1985 Warre’s Port.

The service was crisp, and the servers were very knowledgeable about both food and wine.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…
Wine Spectator Award

“There’s a “well-crafted” menu of “new takes” on French–New American “staples” at this “reliable” Leather District bistro, but it’s really a “wine geeks’ paradise” thanks to an “exciting” and comprehensive collection of bottles, including some library selections; it’s “pricey”, but those who “want to spend the money” are rewarded with a “special night out” where service endeavors to “make you feel at home.”  ZAGAT