THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Winterland Restaurant

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Winterland Restaurant Restaurant Review:

For those who have had their fill of comfort food and desire some new flavors and distinct preparations without breaking the bank in a haute cuisine environment, Winterland is a worthy destination. Chef Vernon Morales's background includes stints at El Bulli in Spain and Restaurant Daniel in New York, which helped inspire his innovative touches and sous-vide cooking technique. Despite the staff's potential recommendation, skip the soupy goblet of over-citrusy hamachi crudo and partner up with the poached egg instead. It arrives with a perfectly cooked deep-orange yolk draped with incomparably thin slices of asparagus, resting in a cloud of asparagus foam next to a mound of bacon ice cream. Yes, bacon ice cream. There's also an olive oil ice cream that turns up with the custardy french toast dessert. In fact, most everything that hails from the kitchen is fascinatingly fragrant, including a succulent entrée of lamb loin crusted in pistachio and bread crumbs, with a drizzle of eucalyptus jus. The cod has reportedly been recruiting its own fan club as well. The cheese course is one of the most exciting in the city, with artisanal cheeses paired with dollops of carrot marmalade, nougat and hazelnuts. A French press coffee with a complimentary plate of mignardises makes for a photo finish. Service needs a little finesse, but the environment is elegant and contemporary luxe, including a swank lounge with an inspired bar menu and an oddly enticing Champagne cocktail with orange bitters and rum, the Jamaican '05.