Dieci Review – Happiness, a Bite is All You Get

By jessie, on April 24th, 2012

It would be certainly quite pompous of us to think that our reviews do anything to disturb the equilibrium wait time of any restaurant, but to do so would be reprehensible to those who have stumbled into love with Dieci.

This small jewel of a restaurant is inconspicuous. Dieci is subtle in its location just as it is delicate in its flavors, satiating you just to the margin–tiptoeing the point of diminishing return.
(Put in other words, Dieci saves money on rent and ingredients by being miniature in space and portion.)

The flavor per calorie conversion is unreal, but so is calorie to the dollar. Yet, that should by no means deter you from squeezing into this wonderland of Japanese tapas. We start off the night with miso infused foie gras, resting on a humbled slice of daikon. Three bites of silky, savory, sweet perfection. Any heaviness from the fat is quickly cut by the miso and daikon–a true appetizer.

Miso Foie Gras

The next small plate is a filet mignon tataki, again with miso hints from the vinaigrette. Tender, juicy, and made unboring with the slight crunch of its cracker hat. A worthy follow-up to the impeccable foie.

Filet Mignon Tataki

Our choices of mains may be uninspired, but every bite was heaven sent. I pity you whom have not tasted uni or believe it to be strange. It is not strange. On a bed of rice, nay, this particular bed of rice, it is flavor glory. Lightly seasoned, its natural flavor profile exudes an inimitable hold on your sense of taste.

Uni don, decadent.

I imagine I would pity you less if instead of uni, you went for the tekka don. The rich reds of the tuna slices are doubly vibrant juxtaposed (!) with the protruding yolk. And yes, it is as delicious as it looks.

Tekka don, extraordinary.

Understandably at this point, your taste buds are rejoicing but your stomach is in turmoil. If mind over matter is a concept easier said than conquered, a remedy may be found in the desserts. We settled on the molten chocolate cake, a viscerally satisfying dessert in spite of any size constraint. With the bourbon ice cream, it is a laudable finish to a fantastical meal.