First I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year 2009. Mes meilleurs voeux pour la nouvelle année.

I spent my New Year’s eve dinner at the table of Isa. At the last minute, the BF and I didn’t have any plans so we looked around what was available and Isa was still taking reservations so I made one.

First, I have to say we got super lucky to find parking right in front of the restaurant, I know, this is almost impossible on a regular day, but on New Year’s eve!!! Food Karma!

We arrived a bit early (I was giving myself plenty of time to find parking), so I told my host about it and she asked if we wouldn’t mind waiting at the bar. I didn’t. The place was packed with the beautiful people of the Marina, girls in heels and glitters, men wearing suits. A bit stuffy for me, but after all, but it was NYE.

We got seated fairly quickly, just in time to order a couple glasses of Champagne and toast to the last dinner of 2008. This is where I realized that the staff was overwhelmed. It took a while for our waiter to come, he brought us water right away but then disappeared for a while. People were going in and out of this place, it was amazing. Our server finally showed up again, though he was very cordial and smiling, I could tell that he was just dreaming for the end of his crazy shift. Tonight was a pre-fix menu at $80 per person. It seemed really fair for a 4 courses menu.

We were first served an amuse bouche, a coffee cup filled with a couple sip of something very similar to a bouillabaisse. We were never told what it was. As I said earlier the service wasn’t to expectation that night: wrong plate to wrong person, we had to ask to 2 different people for bread and it took 20 minutes to come, never our waiter checked on us, plates were removed before we were done, or third course arriving though we had just started the second one. Bad!  But I have to say this night was a mad house and it reflected a bit on the service. I have been to Isa before and the service was very good.

I ordered the Japanese hamachi, Seared foie gras, duck breast. The BF ordered the Dungeness crab salad, the seared foie gras too and the rack of lamb.

I have to say that all dish were perfectly executed. The Hamachi was tender and nicely dressed. It was a very refreshing dish, I will ordered it again.

The Crab salad was as usual - divine! A must if you go there. The foie was perfectly seared with a very nice color, a bit of vein left but not enough to ruin the dish.

The Lamb and duck were perfectly cooked as we ordered.

As dessert, I ordered the cheese plate and it came with a very generous amount of cheese. I was happily surprised about that, when most restaurant give you a pea size portion, this was almost for two or should I say enough for  one French girl!

The BF ordered the flour-less chocolate cake. I didn’t try it by that time, I was ready to pop.

I was very satisfied with the dinner as seamed people around me. The food was very good, the portions were generous and fairly priced.

Young chef Sung (26 years-old) as definitely a wining team in his kitchen.  His dishes are fresh, flavorful and elegant. Chapeau! I see a rising star behind solid ingredients. I can taste flavors of France, California and Asia in his food and I will be back for more.

Summary: I will recommend Isa, though the service that night suffered because of the occasion, it hasn’t stained the food or what I think about this place. I have been before and will be back again. Bill for 2 on a pre-fix: $253 (not including tip, but including champagne, sauternes and a bottle of wine).