Dining Out: The Cockentrice
There's plenty to love about Krog St. Market. Not only is the indoor-eating haven happening at all times of the day or night, but the pure variety of the eating establishments is flat-out awesome. So far, parking is a breeze and the overall vibe is both casual and hip.
However, it's all still in start-up mode. Overall the seating is scarce both at lunch and dinner windows, and the outside hanging options are non-existent (not that the weather is cooperating).
Still, you can feel the potential of the place.
Of course, how could the market NOT be fantastic when one of the initial occupants is Jenni's ice cream?
You know how I love Morelli's, but Jenni's is even better (though I still think Morelli's Salted-Caramel beats Jenni's). In fact, when Billy and I had a date night at Cockentrice we actually BEGAN the evening with dessert, hitting Jenni's up first.
Of course, since we were told we would have to wait an hour for a table at Cockentrice (which actually turned out to be 15 minutes), we reasoned we were just being efficient with our time!
However, the highlight of the evening was getting an early look at the buzz-worthy charcuterie by the owners of The Spotted Trotter. In case you aren't familiar with charcuterie, this is a fancy French word referring to prepared meat products (usually pork) which are usually sold in delis.
While this is a fair enough description, in the restaurant space, this is where you order a meat board and nosh your heart out! (Aside - check out my poor man's homemade charcuterie here! )
In other words, you have to love meat! We ordered off the menu an assortment of mild and peppery meats along with some local cheese. When the board arrives, they add additional elements including bread, Japanese raisin fruit (yum, but strange looking), pickles (woah!!!), a chorizo paté (I think?!), quail egg, and a delicious pickled carrot.
The selection was divine!! That said, if you're new to the process, the choices can feel overwhelming. Ask your server for help.
In the meantime, the restaurant would be smart if they had a "chef's selection" board already assembled for those who want to try the experience without having to create something from scratch!The good news is there are also plenty of great dishes to order off the menu. Because we started with a board we split an entree of the savory MEAT bread pudding. The side circle of crunchiness was shredded pigs ear. What?
Don't ask. Just enjoy!!!We also indulged in the vegetable tasting plate. This is the chef's selection of veggies, prepared however he likes.
Yes, please! Oh my, was the food fantastic. There were, however, significant delays in the kitchen. This seems to be the case at other places in Krog St. Market as well, but no worries. It was worth the wait!
I will likely never order dessert here. I mean Jenni's is RIGHT there!