THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Republic

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Republic Restaurant Review:

We are always impressed by Republic’s grand contemporary décor: a glass-block door, 20-foot high ceiling, a cylindrical fire pit, a waterfall, a huge lamp fixture made of antlers and the “Tower of Wine,” where wine fairies fly through the air to retrieve your requested bottle. Juxtaposed with one of the city’s hottest scenes is an American menu with a few Southern accents. For instance, Carolina pulled pork and shrimp with grits and tasso are found on a list of starters that also includes Maine lobster corn dogs and albacore sashimi. Among entrées are a pork chop with apple sauce and sage-cider reduction, cassoulet, blackened tofu steak and mesquite-grilled rack of lamb. The kitchen turns out very respectable steaks, served with garlic confit, as well as sides like creamed spinach, smoked cheddar mac ‘n’ cheese and truffled grits. Desserts are also American classics: warm pecan tart, New York cheesecake and some high-end doughnuts.