On the vibrant corner of of NW23rd & Hoyt in a lively pedestrian shopping district sits 23Hoyt. The charming red brick building is nestled amongst the street trees. Cafe tables with umbrellas and planters line the exterior walls. The large windows and the corner stone entryway are evocative of the light and airy restaurant within.
23 Hoyt serves up unique and creative cocktails, infusing their liquors with fragrance and spice. I sipped on the EC House Cocktail, an aromatic blend of ransom gin, grapefruit, dandelion & burdock bitters. It was fresh and spicy. I couldn’t resist trying another of the sweet, floral and seasonal variety. The Raspberry & Rose is shaken up with house aged aviation gin, raspberries, and rose syrup and served me well for a dessert cocktail.
My theme for dinner was seafood. Mussels came first in a zesty sauce with a generous serving of sage, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh garlic, and padrone peppers for some zing. It was a colorful plate for the sight and a telling precursor of good things to come.
Next came the trout. Cooked perfectly with a crisp wrapping of flavorful skin and sitting on a bed of beluga lentils. Marinated artichoke hearts, castellano olives and watercress added a nice combination of textures and flavors. Sometimes a plate is so beautifully crafted it is hard to dive in and eat the art. This time it was hard to let go of the aromas.
23Hoyt offers a friendly dining experience full of delicious surprises. Interesting combinations of ingredients and flavors seem to be the norm. Dining here is a culinary adventure immersed in light and the abundance of nature.