Epiphany

A Lesson in Delayed Gratification

Taking the time to slow down and really enjoy things sometimes
eludes us in this fast-paced culture of ours, so for those looking
for a lesson in delayed gratification, a trip to Epiphany
may be just the thing. Low-lit and cozy, the restaurant has
mastered the elegant ambiance so many other local eateries lack,
with velvet maroon drapes framing each entryway, windowed booths
decked with fresh flowers, and a host of pillows to rest on while
you enjoy a casually paced meal.

We arrived on a sleepy Sunday night with
a 2002 PlumpJack Cabernet in tow. While waiting
for the wine to open up, we sipped on champagne and tasted a
delightful spoonful of the duck pate, compliments of the chef. The
crab cake appetizer came next, a piping hot tower of flakey crab
meat perfectly matched with crisp slices of cucumber. And just as
our bottle of wine was ready to pour, a plate of fresh from the
oven bread arrived which we munched on while waiting for the main
course.

Nearly an hour after arriving, our
entrees were served. My lamb shank was plated atop a hill of mashed
potatoes soaked in lamb ju with fresh fall veggies. The meat was so
tender it fell right off the bone, though slightly fatty, and was a
perfect alternative to all the turkey I’ve recently consumed. But
it was my boyfriend’s filet that was the standout of the night,
served atop a cabernet reduction sauce, with asparagus, and a baked
potato. The reduction was by far the tastiest sauce I’ve had, and
the filet was perfectly seasoned. Aside from the rather bland
potato, the dish was perfection.

But the evening doesn’t end there. While
looking over the desert menu, we noticed a selection of cigars and
promptly decided to take our dessert course onto the patio where we
could puff into the night air and enjoy the last drops of our
quickly diminishing wine. Seated in a semi-private patio booth
draped in sheer fabric and heaped with even more plump pillows, we
shared our cigar, indulged in a delicious ― if not slightly burnt ―
soufflé and ordered some night cap cups of coffee.

All in all, it was over two hours of
plate after plate of sumptuous creations. It’s certainly not the
place to go before running to catch a movie, but for those with a
full night ahead of them and the ability to sit back, relax, and
enjoy, a dining epiphany is just what they’ll get.

The Details: Epiphany is located at 21 West Victoria Street.
Call 564-7100 or see www.epiphanysb.com. For more on PlumpJack Wines, see
www.plumpjack.com.