A Graceful Reunion

Grace is like your best guy friend -- reliable, warm, comfortable, and masculine.

But, like your best guy friend, there's a certain sexiness that's missing. You love Grace to pieces. You love Grace with all your heart. But you don't burn for Grace. Know what I mean?

The key, though, is you do love Grace. It is worthy of your love, and it loves you back. Grace's dineLA sets ($44 for starter, entree, dessert) are some of the best offered this year. I thought it was the perfect place for my friends to reunite.

My blogging friend Insomniac recognized my work friend Bax on my blog awhile ago. They not only went to the same high school, but they sang together in their vaunted school choir. The two hadn't seen each other for years, so what better time to reunite than dineLA Restaurant Week?

We each started with a curator ($15).

Bax started with the shrimp cavatelli ($5 addition). Great texture and flavor.

Insomniac started with the dungeness crab salad with English peas and Meyer lemon vinaigrette. Cool, fresh, and delectable.

I started with the roasted chestnut and squash soup with pistachios and duck confit. A creamy rich mix of so many things I love! Highly recommend.

Bax had scallops for her entree ($5 addition). A seared party in your mouth.

Insomniac and I both chose the braised beef short ribs with red wine risotto, cavolo nero, and red wine sauce. The risotto was good, but the real stars were the meat and vegetable. The short ribs were tender and savory, and the cavolo nero paired very well.

For dessert, Insomniac opted for the orange-filled doughnuts with chocolate gelato ($5 addition). The doughnuts were sugary, warm, and infused with a pleasant citrus surprise.

Bax and I enjoyed our sticky toffee pudding with hazelnut gelato and bruleed bananas. "Enjoyed" might not be a strong enough word for me. I cherished every single buttery fantastic bite.

I had a lovely time laughing with these two.

dineLA officially ends February 6, but Grace is offering its dineLA menu for an additional four days from February 8-12. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this extended deal.