THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge Restaurant Review:

THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS CLOSED Stylish and modern with dark woods, muted autumnal colors and a sloping ceiling, this sleek space would also be equally at home on the set of “Mad Men.” Named after an L.A. street dear to chef-owner David McIntyre, who worked his way up through various Wolfgang Puck kitchens, including the flagship Spago and CUT steakhouse, the food here would also find success in this notoriously fickle city to the north. A limited menu of snacks and small plates exclusive to the bar area yields treasures like the refreshing Dungeness crab spoons and decadent Kobe-style sliders. Little nibbles like ham and cheese gougères and hummus dip are available for happy hour. It’s great for a pre-dinner tasting, or for a casual meal paired with handcrafted cocktails, like the Hendricks Julep or tequila-based Yuzu Crush, each made with fresh juices. On the dinner menu, mussels are a runaway success; aromatic and bursting with the flavors of saffron beurre blanc, chorizo, tomatoes and garlic, it still manages to convey the freshness of the mollusks. We suggest extra bread to sop up the rich broth. Ahi tartare, often more of a passé item for diners with an eclipsed sense of adventure, is instead a revelation, showcasing both the chef’s commitment to fresh ingredients and his ability to nuance the bite of jalapeño with crisp market-fresh vegetables like radishes or carrots. Mains are equally strong. A pan-roasted wild Alaskan salmon is properly cooked and beautifully textured. Braised lamb shank, so tender and hearty, enjoys the unexpected zing of gremolata. Desserts may include everything from fluffy soufflés to sundaes for two. The obvious care and commitment of the kitchen extends to the dining room and wine list, where well-schooled servers pace the meal and are able to provide pairing suggestions.