My girlfriend and I had dinner this past Wednesday night at Brasserie 8 1/2. We were seated at a booth in the back, which would have been fine except for the unstable table - the manager switched us over to another adjacent booth over as soon as he found out. Although the service left something to be desired and the bread starter was awful - I know this is gratis at many restaurants but there is no need to serve it stale!, the food was exceptionally tasty and fresh. The crab cake appetizer is full of flavor and cooked perfectly. I had the Horseradish encrusted sea bass with wasabico, and my girlfriend had the sirloin steak - both excellent and full of flavor. Beyond the food, the space is quite spectacular. You enter the restaurant and immediately scale down a spiral staircase into the upper bar area. The dining area is a few short steps below the bar - but both are essentially connected. The restaurant's design is dominated by glass and booth - style seating. It is extremely spacious, yet not in an overwhelming way. Overall I would highly recommend it - Although not for a quiet romantic evening, but more for the food, good bar scene, and to appreciate the restaurant's design.
