MessyCuisine

Sensi (Revisit)

Last week, we returned to Sensi Restaurant on East Cary Street in downtown Richmond.

Each time I have visited, the dining room gets smaller (it’s me, not really the room), and the whole place loses its mystique (familiarity takes over and you now feel more at home). The menu has some “favorites” to choose from, and some new additions.

The crabcake appetizer with prosciutto di parma and julienned melon was divine. This was a special appetizer that was absolutely delicious: it was fresh, well-spiced, and combined an intriguing set of flavors. Sparkling water was a nice offset, cleaning my mouth with its bubbles from the richness introduced by the parma ham and the creamy sauce that played a big role in the dish’s execution.

My entrée of a tagliatelle pasta was less successful, but it nevertheless was tasty. It simply wasn’t a superstar dish like the crab and prosciutto appetizer. Other diners, however, liked their entrées:

The lobster was excellent, one report said, although the MessyChef himself can make a better risotto. I blush, and compliments to the diner! The only thing wrong with this dish was the overpowering salty flavor from the salmon eggs. Personally, I like the color, but real caviar would have likely been a better match. Or truffles. You can’t go wrong with those.

A steak preparation was beautiful to look at, perhaps characterized by the words “understated elegance.” Presentation aside, my fellow diner very much liked the beef entrée and would recommend it to others.

With a round of appetizers and entrées, we skipped dessert, and instead, ordered our favorite versions of coffees: lattés and cappuccinos. They came soon enough, but were small portions that for me at least, arrived too cold. While a $2.50 latté might be a cheap alternative to one of their more pricey desserts, it at least should be something to write home about. The waitress spilled 1/6 (give or take a splash) of the drink outside the cup, too, so I was left with a sticky cup and a drink that should have been piping hot, but was lukewarm. Underwhelming for the end of an otherwise quite enjoyable meal.

We came back to Sensi because we liked our previous visits, but they still haven’t been firing full-power on all engines. Yet, the potential is still there. For some innovative dishes, some primo ingredients, and flair in Italian cuisine, we still would return to Sensi in downtown Richmond. Rating Sensi is difficult for me; in the world-class range, it’s a “3,” but considering what Richmond is currently offering, I’ll let it maintain its “4”.

Filed by MessyChef at February 20th, 2008 under Italian, Restaurant Review