Audrey Claire: A Mediterranean delight

Upon arriving at Audrey Claire, the hostess greeted us with a friendly smile and seated us at a small table, which was surrounded by blank walls and candle light.

The waiter arrived and recited the specials: ostrich filet cooked medium rare in a pomegranate tamarind barbeque sauce, accompanied by garlic mashed potatoes, baby carrots and haricot verts, and Tilapia in a citrus sauce over Israeli couscous and vegetables. We promptly ordered one of each, along with an appetizer of grilled squid in a chili lemon sauce garnished with mint, and a flat bread topped with hummus and smoked salmon.

In addition to the specials, the menu featured a variety of entr‚es including fish, meat and pasta, as well as the additional categories of flatbreads and small dishes. Most appetizers were under $10, and the entrees were under $20.

Not long after we completed our orders, our appetizers arrived. They were surprisingly large and absolutely delicious. The grilled squid was incredibly tender and seemed to melt away effortlessly under my teeth. The flat bread was the highlight of the meal. The combination of spicy hummus with very fresh smoked salmon and piles of mesclun greens tantalized my taste buds with Mediterranean delights.

With some food in our stomachs, the restaurant began to feel more inviting. The atmosphere was intimate, and the pleasant sounds of jolly chatter and clicking plates purred in the background. The people to our left refilled their glasses with wine and removed their sport coats.

Finally, our entrees arrived. The tilapia was a little dry, but it mixed nicely with the moist couscous. The ostrich was succulent, and the sauce had an intoxicating fragrance, however it slightly overpowered the flavor of the meat.

The waiter replaced our entrees with coffee and a ginger crŠme caramel. I took my last spoonful of creamy dessert, and my tongue chased the lingering sweetness around my teeth. My eyes, in turn, wandered to the surrounding tables, where young people were singing happy birthday. The man from the stuffy couple to my left shook the last driblets of wine from his bottle while his wife proceeded to slide the salt and pepper shakers across the table air hockey-style. Despite the barren casing, Audrey Claire was filled with enjoyable food and a contagiously jovial atmosphere.

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