TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK TK June/July 2016 83 Two salads are significantly outstanding on the starter side and are more generous, portion-wise, than the rest of the menu. Frisée and endive tossed in a lovely mustard dressing wear thin slabs of mild cheddar on top. Then there’s the heap of arugula leaves in a perfect vinaigrette, divine with creamy burrata and grilled butternut squash punctuated with the tart pop of pomegranate seeds. Veggie lovers should continue on to the middle column of the menu to find a half dozen worthy choices. A standout is the potato terrine, layers of starch amped up with brown butter and pretty, sweet Kabocha squash puree. This is carbo love at its finest. But soft-roasted heirloom carrots are also wonderful, the vegetable’s sweetness played off nicely by tart tamarind and red curry. As with the rest of the menu, the mains introduce new flavor concepts, which are already being rotated despite the restaurant’s short lifespan. A small, juicy Wagyu striploin is nicely cooked and paired with tart citrus accompaniments like burnt satsuma or yuzu. The richness of salmon is played up by honey and chamomile with just enough lemon to create contrast. Fried chicken thigh — a great choice for keeping food costs low — was earlier offered in a trio but is now just one moist, crunchy skinned thigh that can be munched with dots of green curry on the side. Desserts have been improved since opening, although the coconut tapioca still needs some work. Better is chocolate creameux, a creamy disc cozying up to rich chocolate buttermilk cake and punctuated with citrus. A handsome, tall-ceilinged, noisy space that’s chic with its dramatic hand-blown light fixtures and colorful duck decoys on painted cinderblock walls, Bird Dog is definitely producing foodie buzz. The VC part-owners are also investors in the Golden State Warriors, the conquering heroes of West Coast sports. It appears their new restaurant is another top dog to add to the portfolio. BIRD DOG, 420 Ramona St., Palo Alto. 650/ 656-8180. www.birddogpa.com HOURS: Dinner only. Monday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday- Saturday, 5-11 p.m. Closed Sunday. Reservations strongly recommended. PRICES: Starters: $14-18; vegetable sides, $11- 14; mains, $18-31; desserts, $10-12. n Lunch. Dinner. Private Events. | Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-6pm
South Bay Accent - Jun/Jul 2016
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