The Mister and I would like to start the Food Snob series with our favorite restaurant….
Ember Wood Fired Grill
I don’t mean to brag, but if there is anything I do well, I cook. So going out for a meal where the food is as good or nearly as good as it is at home can be a serious challenge. We so often find ourselves leaving a restaurant feeling let down and still hungry for flavor and atmosphere. That has not happened at Ember. Not once.
First of all, the place is gorgeous. It was cool when it was the Firehouse. It was nice as the Chop Shop. But Rex has made this space feel comfortable and elegant at the same time. I seriously wouldn’t change a thing.
The first floor is amazing, but upstairs is my absolute favorite. I mean, look at that bar. And don’t even get me started on the wine space with the curved iron stairs. I’ll just take a place in there, please.
We love it so much we chose to have our sons baby shower there last weekend. It was a small group of about 30 people, but the staff pulled everything off with such ease. They were super nice, as always, extremely accommodating, and the food. Oh, the food. I should have better photos for you of the buffet table, but we were all just so comfortable and enjoying our time here that we were just too busy living in the moment. And, well, the table was swarmed within moments by everyone so anxious to get their hands on it. Every bit of it was delicious. Every single person there, many it being their first time, raved about how amazing it all was. And how gorgeous the space was. I could not have asked for a better day, a better space, better food or better service. If you are hosting an event you must go to Ember.
I have had many delicious meals at Ember, but let’s talk about my favorite….
Yes, I did forage the black trumpets for this menu, but that is not why this was my favorite.
First, the fact that they chose so many different ways to serve wild food had me giddy. Although wild and unusual food is growing in popularity, it isn’t always easy to find restaurants that serve really wild food, really well. These guys killed it.
And you know the Mister and I tried every single trumpet recipe on the menu that day!
Rabbit and Black Trumpet Pupusa
What a way to start off a meal. It was fresh and crisp and hardy and somehow light at the time. We were both dancing in our seats waiting for the next course. Okay, maybe just me. The Mister isn’t much of a dancer.
Pastrami Spiced Akaushi NY Sirloin
This was the Misters choice. The sirloin was cooked perfectly. Tender and juicy, full of flavor, excellent char, just the right amount of seasoning and salt. And the black trumpet and shallot farro…. He’s been an avid farro lover since and I have had to up my farro game.
We were trying to get proper photos, but we couldn’t help ourselves.
Black Pepper Fettuccine and Maine Lobster with a Black Trumpet Cream Sauce
I can still taste it. This was my dish. I would go back and eat it every week if it were always on the menu. I fully intend to bring them baskets of black trumpets and beg them to make it for me again.
I had never thought to pair trumpets with lobster. Genius. Absolutely brilliant.
The pasta was perfectly hand made. Not doughy or tough. Not slimy or gritty. Just perfectly al dente. With just the right amount of black pepper. And they didn’t skimp on the lobster either. So often I order a lobster dish and it is nothing but a few claws that have clearly been frozen. This is New England people. If you are serving frozen lobster, just stop. You have failed.
Ember certainly did not fail. This entire meal we both oohed and aahed throughout every moment. We probably sounded absolutely ridiculous to the people around us. We can’t help ourselves. When the food is great, we appreciate it. We also talked about this meal every minute of the ride home and for days after. We are still talking about this meal.
Here are a few of my favorites from the menu….
Maine Mussels – the broth is insanely good. Ask for a spoon. Or do as I did and just use a shell because you don’t want to wait.
Polenta Fries – the charred scallion aioli is so good you may need a second dish.
Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon – I can’t help it. I just love a good piece of salmon cooked just right.
Smoked Ricotta Gnocchi – What else is there to say?
If you enjoy experimenting with spirits, Ember has you covered.
Ember is our fail safe. Our go to spot. If we just want to know we are going to get everything we are hoping for and more, Ember is our clear choice. The food is always amazing, the service is always friendly, the space is always clean and gorgeous and the drinks are always delicious. Expect regular updates from Ember.
★★★★★ Ember absolutely gets 5 full stars from both the Mister and I.
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You MUST check out Ember.
Located at:
1 Orchard Street
Dover, NH 03820
603-343-1830
Check them out on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/EmberWFG/
Follow along on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/emberwfgnh/