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Last night Chris and I went out to dinner with my mom. We went to Montarra Grill in Algonquin. There is a nice, intimate atmosphere on one side of the restaurant, and a bar on the other side, separated by what appears to be a private dining area that can be screened off. The decor is trendy, with large paintings of bell peppers on a couple of the walls, a blue chandelier that looked like a glass Koosh ball, a waterfall between the bar and the middle dining area, and plenty of windows on the outside walls.

The menu was great, but that made it very difficult for me to decide on an entree. Chris ordered the Signature French Onion Soup, which is served in a roasted onion bowl, and the Filet Mignon. My mom ordered the catch of the day, which was a pan-seared halibut. I eventually settled on a Caesar salad and the Montarra’s "Ultimate Filet." We shared a side of macaroni and cheddar "gratin" and a double baked potato, as well as a bottle of Riesling that was half off (which was about half full when we left). During dinner, Chris also noticed that there were no salt or pepper shakers to be found on any of the tables, and fresh ground pepper is not offered with your salad. The truth is, you do not miss it, as the food is seasoned appropriately for a great taste that needs no adjustment at the table.

I wanted to try the Ultimate Filet because I was not quite in the mood for surf and turf, and I was curious to see what all the fuss was about foie gras, which tops the filet. Foie gras is quite delicious. The liver just melts in your mouth, adding a buttery and smooth texture to an already delicious filet mignon. It definitely beats A1, albeit at a considerable cost.

For dessert, Chris and my mom had a martini glass filled with mixed berries and ice cream, while I had a Godiva White Chocolate crème brulée. They were both excellent desserts.

Overall, I like the restaurant. It is definitely on my "Visit Again" list.