Restaurant Review: Niche

Good Evening!!!

I am doing something a little different tonight, but something I've always wanted to blog about; new restaurants!! I pass by this place EVERYDAY, as I live about 4 blocks away. Its a new-ish place called, "Niche". Its on 110st and Jasper Ave, right underneath Hardwood Plaza apartments. Here's my experience...

Parking:
Not the greatest, BUT its downtown, so that is to be expected. We had to park about a block away in a residential area. On the plus side, if you're there after 6pm, you can get a little pass and park for free at the General Hospital right beside it.

The Place:
On the outside it looks very cute and trendy! They had a mini patio set up right in the front, which, had the mosquitoes not been so NUTS, it would have been a great spot to eat and people watch! When I walked in I was kind of taken aback by how small it was! The bar takes up the majority of the space, and theres maybe about 10 or less tables in there...a little tight but very cute! We got the high seats right by the window which was nice and UN-crowded.

Service:
Very good!!! Although being in place of that size i wouldn't expect any less, as you could literally have a normal conversation with the chef in the kitchen form the other side of the restaurant. Our girl was really friendly and funny! She suggested really great things and was very knowledgeable!

Food:
I know what you;re thinking...FINALLY! ahhh the food...it was GREAT! We got there at about 4:30 and they don't serve dinner 'till 5pm, so we had some drinks (They make a WICKED dirty martini, best I've had yet) and had a couple appetizers. I had a tomato bocaccini Salad with a raspberry-vanilla vinaigrette, and my mom had backed goat cheese with crustinis, and they were both SO good!! I normally don't like sweet or fruity dressings, but the acidity in the tomatoes really helped balance it out! And really..can you go wrong with goat cheese...yum!!
For our mains my mom had Duck, and she said it was amazing, very tender! (I don't eat duck so I can't tell you how it was...) and I had the special, which was candy crusted pork loin, and my god was it good! It came with a balsamic reduction on mushrooms too, which was very good and different. Everything was cooked to perfection and I wouldn't change a thing!!
After my now 2nd dirty martini, we decided to order dessert. Our fantastic server coaxed us into having the blueberry bread pudding. WELL..I think My mom was speechless after the first bite. Not being much of a bread pudding fan, i went in cautiously, and oh ehm ghee...it was TOO good for words! It was made perfectly, not to eggy or runny or anything! There was a little bit of crust on top and it was so moist and amazing...you MUST try it!!!!!

Atmosphere:
It was defiantly an older crowd...besides myself, i don't think there was anyone in there under 35! So it was actually kind of nice. It wasn't overly loud and they played pretty chill music. The decor is really nice, very dark and ultra trendy. My favorite part of the whole decor was the little candles they had on the tables. They were round votive holders filled with popcorn seeds and a tea light on top...so cute!! (I will most likely steal this idea...)

Well that's enough of a review for tonight, in case you were wondering, it was a bit costly, but we had 3 drinks, app's, mains AND dessert, and to end your curiosity, our bill came to $115 (without tip). Obviously you don't need to spend this much, but I had a RIDICULOUSLY stressful day and needed to let loose!!! Anyways, Bonn appetit!!!

Love, Laura
xoxoxo