THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar Restaurant Review:

Don’t let the name fool you: Ava Kitchen & Whiskey Bar is far more than grub and white lightening. This venture from the Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group sports an upscale menu and cocktail list along with plush sofas, burnished zinc tabletops and artistic light fixtures. The long, sleek space in the West Ave mixed-use center on the edge of River Oaks boasts windows fronting Kirby Drive and evokes an eclectic, hip street vibe. Chef Robert Del Grande created a fun menu of Mediterranean, Italian and American dishes. There are small plates for sharing, pasta, fish and more here. We started with the spicy coppa salad with aromatic Taleggio cheese, dried Mission figs and fennel, and a second plate of delicate white anchovies paired with hot chorizo and green olives. We also recommend the entrée of rigatoni with Bolognese sauce ripe with spicy beef, but there’s also delicate lamb T-bones, seared ahi and a well priced petite filet mignon ($17) as well as a pretty good burger on the lunch menu. As one would expect, plenty of whiskey is available, but you shouldn’t pass on the citrusy house margaritas or a selection from the wine list. Finish with the tarte Tatin, a flaky cream cheese pastry with slices of green apple and whipped cream floating on a pool of caramelized butter and sugar.