Docent Steak opens today in Uptown’s Harwood District

The preview’s menu was a limited one and varied from table to table. Personally, I like a smaller menu so I felt at ease among fewer selections. The meal began with a choice of both a warm and cold appetizer. Our selections included a spicy tuna tartare served with Togarashi cotton candy, peanut ponzu and avocado with large homemade chips which was then stirred altogether tableside.

The tuna was fresh with rich flavor layered on by the additional elements. Dipping with the chips was a bit awkward but the taste packed a delicate but impressionable punch that was still light despite all its pieces.

The warm app was a simple crispy calamari with a trio of dips that included buffalo butter, wasabi cocktail garlic aioli. Not much groundbreaking here, but the crunchy app was nonetheless delicious, especially with the aioli.

Our next option was soup or salad. The soup of the night was broccoli cheddar which was perhaps the most unexpected moment of the night. I mean, broccoli cheddar? My baby spinach salad though was a true delight. Almost a take on a traditional breakfast, the greens were topped by bacon, shallts, white cheddar and a tempura coated poached egg that was also broken and stirred into the salad tableside. The warm balsamic dressing tied the entire (and filling) salad together into a complete package. Seriously, this could have been my entire meal.

My eight-ounce filet mignon was served medium-rare with a rich, red center. The peppercorn crust added an ideal contrast to the steak’s tender inside. A housemade steak sauce leaned on the sweeter side that never hurt the steak’s flavor, but the whipped butter I requested made for the juicier bites I prefer.

The side options for the night were underwhelming. Potatoes, broccoli or spinach definied the sides and again, this was a limited menu for the preview. That being said, I don’t know what they put in the sweet potato fries but they were addictive. Just enough salt brought out the sweetness but kept a savory profile. The whipped potatoes were straightforward but also smooth and luxurious.

Rounding off the meal was a coconut cream pie that offered a balanced sweetness topped by a cloud of cream.

The meal experience was solid as was the knowledgeable and attentive service. My one complaint from the visit was my pickle martini order which was made with bread and butter pickles and brine. My least favorite pickle and I wished this was noted on the menu, but it was well-made.

The meal for two was comped by the restaurant, but tip was added.