The Dodo Restaurant

She said:

So, the dodo bird might have been extinct since 1680. However, good taste, delicious food, and excellent service at this restaurant are not extinct. My first impression of this place was quite favorable: dark wood floors; an antique bar imported from Paris and crafted of dark wood, silver trim, and small red, white, and gold tiles used as a border; burgundy-colored booth benches; wooden tables; and peppy background music. The number of patrons and the bustle of waitstaff testified to the restaurant’s popularity. One of the most impressive aspects of the décor was the fresh flowers in vases at the reception area. Beautiful, large yellow lilies. They spoke to my gardener’s heart and added a touch of class to the place.

Once we were seated at a very comfortable booth situated directly across from the bar, I noticed an interesting, quirky mural on the wall. It was very colorful and depicted several dodo birds playing musical instruments. The one thing that caught my attention and stood out to me was the female dodo that sported blonde hair and wore a dress that showed off her voluptuous figure. Huh. I didn’t know that dodo birds could have such . . . buxom bosoms (laughing my head off). The artist obviously had a sense of humor.

Now, about the food:

It was delicious, from our appetizer of brie and fruit to my entrée of quiche and seafood soup. The quiche had a lovely, light, flaky crust and a fluffy egg filling that included mushrooms. A tomato and pine nut relish was served on the side, along with a slice of cantaloupe. The seafood soup was more like a chowder. It was tomato based and included artichoke. I don’t remember what the waiter said was in it, but it made me think of lobster and crab. Whatever it was, it was very tasty and satisfying.

I ordered a slice of Banana Cream Cheese Pie to take home, and when I finally ate it later that night, it was absolutely heavenly.

He said:

I always enjoy going to Sugar House. It has such an energetic, friendly vibe to it. It seems like the type of place where people like to get out and mingle with others. The Dodo Restaurant fits right in with that vibe.

I’m not sure how the restaurant chose the extinct dodo bird as its mascot, but they have fully embraced it. A purple, monocled dodo bird serves as the restaurant’s logo and adorns its building. Inside, one can find even more dodos. In particular, I liked the proud, top hat-wearing, metal dodo in the corner. I still haven’t decided how I feel about the two murals featuring the somewhat creepy, anthropomorphized dodos participating in a jazz combo and having drinks at some sort of soiree, but it somehow fits with the cheery atmosphere we found.

During our visit, the restaurant was abuzz with happy diners, but the staff turned tables quickly, so we didn’t have to wait long. We began by ordering the Brie Cheese and Fresh Fruit appetizer. It didn’t take long to arrive at our table. When it did, it was a beautiful presentation. Slices of toasted baguette, green apple, and Asian pear artistically ringed the plate, while grapes, sliced strawberries, and chunks of pineapple sat atop a bed of decorative lettuce in the center. A wedge of brie topped the bunch. It was all as delicious as it was pretty. The sweet pear contrasted with the slightly tart apple. Kathy and I both remarked about the sweetness of the grapes. The ones we find at the grocery store aren’t nearly as nice. Kathy also appreciated that the toasted baguette was still soft, not crunchy like crostini. I agree. There should have been enough to bring home some leftovers, but it was so good that I just kept grazing until it was gone.

The waiter’s recitation of the daily specials was more than a simple listing. From memory, he not only named the options, but described their ingredients and preparation. I ordered the Open-face Sirloin Steak Sandwich from the daily specials, accompanied by a cup of the Jalapeño Potato Soup, also from the daily specials. The soup was thick, but all the ingredients had been pureed. It had enough kick from the jalapeños that I told Kathy it was good she hadn’t ordered it. The steak was cooked as I requested (medium rare), sliced, and topped with caramelized onions, bleu cheese crumbles, and a balsamic reduction. I enjoyed it, but I found the bleu cheese a bit overpowering, even though there wasn’t a lot of it. I probably should have asked them to skip it. The toast underneath was a bit dry, even with the balsamic reduction spilling onto it.

Curious, I asked the waiter how the dinner menu differed from the lunch menu. He rattled off a list of additional options, full of the same level of detail he had shared about the daily specials. He clearly knew and enjoyed their selections. Several of the dinner options caught my attention and made me want to return.

The Dodo Restaurant offers a selection of enticing desserts. They have half a dozen regular options and another half a dozen options that change daily. Although we were full, Kathy insisted on ordering dessert to take home. She claimed it was necessary in order to provide an appropriate review. Her excuse was just plausible enough, I suppose. But hey, I also decided to order a dessert to go. I took a slice of the Toll House Pie, one of their staples. Because the waiter told me it was best heated, I later put it in the microwave. I should have put it in for only a few seconds, or maybe I should have watched it more closely. As a result of my carelessness, I ended up with a melty mess on my plate. Yet, my mistake did not diminish my enjoyment of the pie. However, I found it so rich and sweet that I was only able to finish half of it.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for great food in a trendy, hip eatery, the Dodo Restaurant might be the right choice for you. Enjoy it on a date or have a great night out with friends.