Cafe 334
334 South Phillips Ave (at 12th Street)
Phone: 334-3050
Score: Three and one-half stars
Hours: Tues-Thurs 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri and Sat 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Prix Fixe dinner on Thursday $20.00; dinner entrees $20.00 to 30.00; small plates $4.00 to 9.00
Daily soup $3.00 & 4.00; salads $3.00-4.00. grilled artichoke salad $8.00
Alcohol: Wine and beer
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Wheelchair Access: Yes
Non-smoking seating: All non-smoking
Video Lottery: No
The new owners of Cafe 334 at 12th and Phillips, have introduced a Prix Fixe dinner on Thursday nights. For 20 dollars one can dine royally on soup or salad, chef's choice entree and dessert. A good value for excellent food.
On a recent Thursday we tried the Prix Fixe dinner and were not disappointed. Augmented by outstanding service by experienced staffers, the meal was very enjoyable. We chose house salads over soup and were pleased with the fresh baby greens with tomato, red onion rings, Parmisan cheese, pignoli and seeds tossed with a lively balsamic vinaigrette.
The entree was fetuccini in a smmoth, light cream sauce with pancetta, zuccini, yellow squash and lots of sauteed chicken slices, plus fresh tomato. Fresh herbs added fragrence and subtle flavor. The pasta was nicely al dente and perfectly napped by the sauce, which was not the gluey disaster posing as Alfredo at some places.
One can never refuse dessert at Cafe 334. The tantalizing display makes choosing hard, but there are really no bad choices. My lava cake was sinfully rich with molten chocolate. A slice of chocolate layer cake was equally rich and satisfying with velvety icing and deep flavor. Fitting finales to a well prepared and beautifully orchestrated meal.
The youthful chefs at Cafe 334 carry on the high standards and creative talent evident at Kristina's and the originall 334. A new dinner menu showcases thier skills. We were impressed by most of the dishes offered, some quite ambitious and challenging. We plan to try some of the following soon:
Small plates: Pan seared diver scallops with roasted shallot puree, grapefruit buerre blanc, chervil coulis ($8); panko breaded crab cakes, remoulade, vegetable confit, lime ($8); Blanquette De Veau, the classic French dish updated with a veal chop in cream with roasted whole garlic cloves, white mushrooms, white rice ($30). Can't wait to try this. And one more. Grilled rack of lamb, rosemary red wine sauce, braised leeks, mirepoix and potato confit ($28)
I'm pleased as punch to see great imaginative dining alive in downtown Sioux Falls. It keeps getting better and Cafe 334 is a giant step foreward on the road to eating well on the prairie.
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