Restaurant Review: Acadia

Acadia
50C Clinton St. (at College)
Food: 4.5 out of 5 suns
Service: 4 out of 5 suns
Ambiance: 3.5 out of 5 suns

Acadia has a super cool open concept kitchen that you can see into right from your table

Acadia focuses on delicately executed Cajun comfort food or what the restaurant calls "low country cuisine." But this ain't no low-end joint. Instead former chef Matt Blondin (who has since left the resto but Acadia promises to keep up with creative takes on the regional cuisine) and his team focused on molecular gastronomy and visual flair for a gourmet twist on the classic fare. It also apparently has an awesome tasting menu for $39.

 Take this delicate and fluffy corn bread ($8) for example, cooked to order and served to your table piping hot and served with a deliciously creamy sweet potato and bourbon butter sauce. I could have eaten this all night.                                     

                                     

The mains, which consist mainly of different types of fish,  may appear small and delicate upon first glimpse (my friend and I thought we would still be starved when we were done). But the perfectly paired complements add rich components that leave you feeling satisfied. The menu changes frequently with various pairings matching seasonal availability.

The dishes almost look too artsy to eat, don't they? But trust me when you take one bite, you'll find reason for demolishing these beauts.

This incredibly composed dish is my dry rubbed, perfectly cooked albacore with rich brown butter Hollandaise, celery maque-choux, and tarragon ($23). 

Do note when taking prices into account, this is the kind of restaurant where sides are ordered separately, but the collard greens with prosciutto and maple were amazing! 

Excellent food, great service and a casual, welcoming atmosphere (not to mention the ever-changing menu) will definitely bring me back here.