text: We went for an early Saturday night dinner drawn in by new fine dining in the area which is limited and the promise of local farm to table style We are huge fans of many local farm efforts which can be sampled at the Common Ground Coop and the Market at the Square on Saturdays at Lincoln Square Mall and now Big Grove TavernnnFirst the food from a foodie perspective Fresh product well selected and well cared for The flavors of the natural food are highlighted The preparation is often minimally invasive The technique is classic French The flavor profile is quiet nnMy partner and I both wished for something a touch bolder For example the deviled eggs a prestarter have yolks mixed with peas We would suggest adding an acid note perhaps a pickle nnIt was nice that they brought out flavored popcorn as a freebie with our drinks a feature at BGT The flavor of the night was white truffle oil and you could taste the oil That was a real winnnFor starters my partner had the chili and cornbread and I had the chicken liver pate with pickled onions and stewed rhubarb I think mine was better really delicious with rich deeply flavorful pate contrasted against the rhubarb which gave the bite the sweet and sour it needed to cut through The farmstyle whole grain bread had a wonderful crunch The cornbread was a bit too refined it needed more crust and less cake more corn flavor and less cafe bakedgood sweetness The chili was savory but mildno real taste of chilisnnThe entree and dessert courses were both very good especially dessert My partner had the short ribs which were beautifully medium rare not a hint over or under I had the roast chicken with dumplings which was amazingly good Crisp skin moist and flavorful meat with a delicious herb broth under Three dumplings that tasted like a delicate stuffing and had a satisfying bite Slices of asparagus that also had a nice bite and a lovely green flavor still not at all cooked out The portions seemed just right not too much and not too littlennFor dessert my partner had the rhubarb crisp and i had the chocolate pot de creme Both were really superb refined flavorful rich balanced Nothing fussy just satisfaction in every bite with very good coffee on the side they use a medium blend from the Columbia Street Roastery a fine choicennThe food is not bold Or experimental Or imaginative But it is good very good much better I thought in terms of technique than Carmons BistronnIts clear from the limited but well selected menu that the chef behind it is attempting to appeal to middlebrow Midwestern tastes but doing it in such a quality way that I found it kind rather than condescending People who do not necessarily like a chichi dining experience will enjoy the food and those who do like fine dining will think it is predictable in its selections but well done nonethelessnnSecond the decor and atmosphere I generally like the blend of industrial and contemporary tavern that the interior designer seems to have been going for although the dark colors dominate a little too much despite the effort to add bits of fun in the lighting options nnBGT has a chic young vibe somewhere between casual and serious Dark gray walls with a black drop tile ceiling black wirecage pendant lamps with industrial bulbs of different shapes reminds me of the recent Restoration Hardware line bleached branch chandeliers over the bar area outdoor partylights with clear exposed globe bulbs interlaced with raw blond planks one off note the planks have lumberyard stamps which may be a bit too lowend for what they were going for fairly inexpensive lightwood grain tables and nicely selected dark chairsif a bit flimsyand booth upholstery I hope that over time BGT will invest in some better art pieces and ones that bring more interest and warmth to the interior There is seating outside too if you are a smoker or do not mind getting it second handnnThird cost Yes yes it is on the expensive side BGT is fine dining not family dining I will not be eating here every night either Of course any diner can make the meal more affordable by just sticking with an entree rather than getting the whole shebang I would guess for dinner that this would run you tops But if you have a deeper pocket that night the whole shebang here could run you with tip for two and you still will not feel cheated The value is here given the quality of experiencennFourth service BGT has a young eager service staff They took good care of us and every other table I could see From beginning to end we enjoyed our time here