Frevo

Frevo is a 1-star restaurant that has been getting a LOT of buzz recently. A speakeasy found behind a gallery it manages, the restaurant punches WELL above its pay-grade, both as a 1-star as well as for a $200 tasting menu. This is one of the better meals I have had in a long time.

The food is Japanese-centric and centers around a lot of fish. The physical space is luscious and service, while informal, is totally on point. It exudes a Nordic feel - with simple beauty pervading the dishware, furniture, uniforms and even their website. Sure - I love this combination (Japanese, Nordic, simple) - but they deliver at an extremely high level.

Our favorite dish (by far) was the couscous/morel/ramp foam dish. Such incredible flavor and texture! Each dish was more beautiful than the next, and the menu arc was perfection. The white asparagus dish will stay with me. It is brilliant and so fully respectful to its star ingredient - it shows real brilliance and so much restraint! Bravo. 

For the most part, service was excellent as well. Waters were kept full and timings were outstanding. You rarely "felt" the service happening. It was extremely smooth and, like the kitchen we enjoyed watching right in front of us, a well-oiled machine. The wine pairings were also outstanding.

There are a few edges to hone - most notably the clearing/stacking of dishes right in front of you. But with those taken care of, this is a 2-star place for sure. Tough to even compare it to most 1-stars. 

I will gladly return to Frevo. It's a stupendous meal and great value overall. A very fine-tuned place that you are sure to enjoy the way we did!