THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Restaurant Scampi

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Restaurant Scampi Restaurant Review:

This tiny spot, formerly a Fish Mama restaurant, was taken over by chef Pedro Simental and his brothers from his boss at Restaurant Devon, where he continues to run the kitchen. Simental works wonders at the upscale Devon and previously was sous chef at Asian-French standout Shiro. Here he applies his formidable skills to a modestly priced menu. And while many entrées hover around the $10 mark, these dishes are anything but routine, such as roasted duck with orange-ginger sauce, a wonderful salmon in creamy ginger sauce, chicken in mustard sauce and deep-fried catfish with ponzu sauce. Starters include a marvelous shiitake mushroom salad in a light balsamic vinaigrette, ahi salad, shrimp and vegetable spring rolls in a hot chile dipping sauce, and crab cakes with mustard dressing. For dessert, consider a crème brûlée or a truly inspired dish of peaches topped with a sweet Grand Marnier sauce and espresso ice cream. The narrow room is lined with bold, abstract oil paintings and the white linen-clad tables with bud vases seem generously spaced despite the room’s diminutive size. The name is a bit misleading for its Pacific Rim orientation, but nobody who wanders in here looking for lasagna will be disappointed.