White Chocolate Grill: A Total Experience

Hunger was on my mind.

It was a busy day but I really didn’t feel like lifting a finger to cook anything or even make a sandwich for that matter.

I needed a break. The decision was very last minute, but I decided to head over to for a very late lunch.

Friends had spoken highly of the restaurant prompting us to choose it as a for a romantic spot for Valentine’s Day. I had never experienced it myself, so when I walked inside, I realized what my friends had been talking about, although on this day I was dateless.

The ambiance is very warm, with soft lighting, warm wood and leather throughout. The dining room looked like it would be a cozy spot for a tête-à-tête. But the hostess directed me to the bar.

I am sure I could have requested a spot in the actual dining room, but I wasn’t opposed to sitting in the bar area. I have noticed, however, when dining alone, which I do on occasion, there is a tendency to either stick a single in a corner or in a bar. Again, I wasn’t opposed to it, but would have liked to have been asked.

Even so the bar was comfy and with March Madness in full swing, there was TV to watch. The banquette seating was comfortable and the bar is like eye candy to look at with all the liquor bottles stacked in a colorful display. Because I was sitting in the bar, the bartender was my server.

Diners nearby ranged from another single dining alone, book in hand, to a couple enjoying lunch and a group of friends hanging out.

I wasn’t drinking; it was daytime and I was working, so I will need to go back and have a drink another time. I did enjoy a wonderful Arnold Palmer, a mix of lemonade and iced tea.

I passed on having an appetizer or salad and that is my one regret, for reasons I will get to.

Never having been to the restaurant, I didn’t know what to expect in terms of menu items or portion size.

I went on a Friday afternoon. Since it is Lent and I am trying to abstain from red meat—even though I’m not big on seafood—I was torn between choosing a blackened fish sandwich or the “Dancing Crab Cakes". After talking with my server, I went with the crab cakes, which he said were one of the favorites on the menu and one of his personal fav's.

The crab cakes, I was told weren’t like those heavy things you’d get other places. I don’t claim to be a crab cake aficionado. But what he said sounded good to me. I also went with broccoli for my side, rather than fries, which is my usual. This was why I should have ordered a salad or something.

Some restaurants provide bread—although many people cringe at the thought of bread, but it was after 2 p.m. and I hadn’t eaten all day. I was really hungry. When my meal arrived there were two crab cakes and the broccoli, a healthy but not overly large portion.

I guess I was expecting more crab cake, especially since they were $21.89. But, that’s just me.

The crab cakes were divine. Really wonderful. Light, flaky, not greasy. Though there was a tartar sauce, which I did use, I didn’t need really need it because the cakes were so tasty. The broccoli was good, too, not overcooked or undercooked and with the right amount of seasoning.

Again, if I had a choice to do it again, I would have ordered a salad because I ate everything on my plate and was still feeling hungry. The only positive to this was that I did have room for dessert.

I perused the dessert menu and went with the choice that seemed least dangerous, because they were all extremely decadent and dangerous.

I chose the signature white chocolate brownie ($7.99) for dessert. The brownie is described on the menu as a “warm blonde brownie, freshly baked with Callebaut chocolate and topped with French vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate sauce and whipped cream.”

OMG! What was I thinking that this would not be too rich? But it was very rich and exceedingly wonderful.

The brownie is supposed to be eaten by two people, and I could see why. I made it about halfway and then I thought I had better stop. One more bite and I might literally explode! But, it was so good. Yet there was just no way to have one… more… bite.

Maybe not having a salad before my lunch wasn’t such a bad idea. I might not have considered dessert otherwise. Or, I might have eaten a tad bit less of the very rich dessert?

I enjoyed my time at the White Chocolate Grill. I would say it is the perfect spot for a date or a celebration; even for lunch on a dreary afternoon. My meal was fabulous. My dessert was even more incredible. Now I’m wondering when I can find an excuse to visit for dinner.