Restaurant Review: Violette

   

   Last night, thanks to a great deal we found online, my husband and I decided to dine at Violette, Restaurant and Wine Bar, located in the village of Woodstock, New York.  Violette is a charming establishment, listed online as serving French and New American cuisine, with seasonal menus that serve fresh, local ingredients as often as is possible. According the website (violettewoodstock.com), the restaurant is run by Chef Daniel Rabiner, and his mother, Gladys, and has been open since 2003.

  Converted from an old house, the restaurant itself has a bar area, a lovely, romantically lit dining room, and an out-door patio option. The French Deco posters, the chairs of mismatched colors, restored hardwood floors, and exposed wooden beams added to the charm of the place, and from the time we were seated, we found ourselves satisfied to be immersed in this clean, comfortable environment.

  We were seated promptly (we had reservations, this helped as tables for two ran out quickly), and given menus by the chef himself. Our server brought us ice water and an interesting cone-shaped dish filled with crisp handmade potato chips, and took our drink orders. As Violette is also a wine bar, I chose a glass of Riesling, and was not disappointed by the house selection.

  Pursuing the menu (which was, as advertised, seasonal) we found our biggest problem was which entree to select. Everything was a viable option, everything looked delicious. My husband, noticing the large and varied seafood selection, decided upon a Trout Amandine, served with potato puree and sauteed spinach, and I chose an Entree off the "Special Entree" list, which I found is not listed on their current online menu, Pork Loin Siciliano. We decided to share a dish off the tapas menu for an appetizer, Chinese Spring Rolls with Spicy Mustard. Upon taking our order, our server brought us a warm bread basket with whipped, very spreadable butter.

  When our appetizer arrived, it was very fresh, and very hot. Four pieces were arranged on a fresh salad made of baby greens and sliced almonds, and I was pleased to see that it was indeed, a large enough appetizer for two people. I noticed that in addition the the Spicy Mustard, the Spring Rolls were also served with a delicious fruit sauce, to counterbalance the pungent heat of the mustard. Being unadvertised on the menu, it was a lovely surprise, and I believe the most successful part of the altogether satisfying dish. I later learned that the sauce was a puree of apple, mango, and orange. The Spring Rolls themselves were much crisper than West Coast Spring Rolls, and I believe this worked in their favor. The crisp outer shell complemented the fresh, tender vegetable filling, and when accompanied with both sauces, made for the perfect bite. 

  Our entrees arrived at the same time, which is an important feature of a good restaurant. My husband's trout was stuffed with almonds, cooked in a delicious butter-based sauce, and garnished liberally on top with piped potato puree. The sauteed spinach was served on the side of the dish. It was quite attractive, and I wish our camera-phone could have done the the photo better justice. The only flaw in this dish is was easily fixed at the table : the potato puree needed salt and pepper.

   The Pork Loin Siciliano consisted of two pieces of pork loin cooked in a great tomato sauce with spinach and fresh mozzarella sandwiched between. Everything was fresh, delicious, and perfectly complementary, and needed no extra seasoning. 

 Altogether our experience was relaxing, delicious, and worth-while. The service was prompt and polite, and the atmosphere was pleasant. The food was full of simple, fresh ingredients combined to make the most of the flavors, and was not disappointing. I would suggest that you log onto restaurant.com, and order a discounted Violette gift certificate, and try it for yourself!