It just happened that my first experience dining at Pierre Loti Wine Bar was shared with a group of people I had just met. And for such an intimate spot, with candles illuminating the exposed brick walls and the slightly cramped tables which caused me to virtually rub shoulders with my neighbors, I got to know everyone pretty well. 

The menu is inspired by Mediterranean flavors, including the favorite grilled halloumi cheese served with a frisee salad of dried Turkish apricots and cherry tomatoes. The burger patties with grounded lamb, pine nut, black currents and walnuts were a lovely little starter for the other meat items on the menu including grilled lamb chops,poached beef dumplings (that everyone at the table couldn’t stop forking at), soft marinated baby lamb ribs, and the delicate cornish hen.

The serving sizes were reasonable and I think the clean and simple presentation of the food is worth mentioning; there was none of that unnecessary sauce drizzling to mask food. Other tempting dishes to try include the zucchini walnut pancake and eggplant tofu tempura with tomato coulis, which represents the more modern and inventive part of the menu.

To finish off the meal there is a selection of chocolates to sample, a better choice than the overly rich chocolate cake or the runny crème brûlée—an odd item on the menu. The wine, beer and cocktail selections are colorful with an inclination toward French wines.

The wait staff lacked knowledge of the menu at times, but the host was able to make up for any shortcomings. Overall it was a very pleasant experience. For a good quality meal in a setting that has character, Pierre Loti is great for a mid-week meal with friends, new or old.