Those items left on the menu, however, have been reworked so that they are delightfully well-executed. The Twins French onion soup was once bland and nearly flavorless, but no more. The list of entrees currently is limited to eight, and Herbeck is slowly adding new ones. Even the unassuming pasta with large shrimp and a faint whisper of garlic is very satisfying. The pleasing picture of the peachy pink shrimp against the pale green pasta was marred, however, by the gritty black intestinal tracts that remained on a few shrimp.
Service has the potential to be quite good.
However, more than once, the staff of two waiters and an assistant or two became overwhelmed, and the meal began to drag, once the restaurant got about one-third full. I love the apple tart with its buttery cookie crust and dollop of vanilla bean ice cream as much as the pool of homemade-tasting caramel that ringed the plate. The berry Napoleon was light yet good, and Herbeck's signature opera cake, kind of like a fudgy tiramisu, was decadent. I'm nonplussed by the pear feuillete, pretty little piles of caramelized pear and gingery sauce ringing an intricate puff pastry leaf that failed to coalesce. The only possible downside to this experience is that these lush surroundings and fine food have an equally luxurious price tag.