Yes, the food is a bit pricey. But if you don't expect to pay a bit more when dining in Carnegie Hill, thenyou're not familiar with the neighborhood. Eating on a clean, quite section of MAdison, where the restaurants can open their doors and not give the feeling of sitting by the Westside Highway is a bonmus in itself. Moreover, you pay for the dependability and quality of thses small restaurants. The dishes do not push the envelope of creative cuisine, but they are almost always plate-cleaningly delicious. Seafood is fresh, service is always prompt, the atmosphere is quiet and personable- allowing you to actually talk AND hear the responses. I would gladly pay a few dollars more for this than trying the newest, loudest Park Ave So hotspot, or LES overpriced bistro/panneria/tapas/fusion joint. But then again, the latter is also fun at the right time.
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