Fat Calf Brasserie takes you on a taste adventure

I’ve lived in historic South Highlands for more than a decade. I love it. Everything is close by – Betty Virginia Park, shopping on Line Avenue and lots of locally owned places to eat. One of the newest

dining locations in the neighborhood is Fat Calf Brasserie, which has quickly become one of my favorites. Owned by Chef Anthony Felan and his wife, Amanda, (you might remember them from the OG Wine Country like I do), the restaurant is located on the corner of Kings Highway and Creswell Avenue in Highland. This food-truck-turnedbrick-and-mortar eatery is superb in every way. The food, the atmosphere, the drinks and the experience, everything is top-notch. They’ve recently tripled their outdoor patio’s size to allow for more social distancing and have all new patio furniture for guests.

My date and I went for dinner last week, and here what we tried:

• Whiskey Apple Pie cocktail – Coopers Craft bourbon, chai-infused apple brandy, lime, spiced brown sugar syrup and egg white.

• Beetlejuice cocktail – Beet-infused vodka, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, lime, hibiscus syrup and strawberry shrub.

• Arancini – Panko-crusted spring pea risotto balls, chives and Parmesan, served with garlic aioli. This is a great item to split before your entrée.

• Cauli Bites – Cauliflower tossed in garlic and roasted chili oil, topped with Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. I don’t even love cauliflower, but this appetizer is incredible. For extra flavor, ask for a side of the garlic aioli.

• Rotisserie Chicken – Slow rotisserie chicken served with buttered potato puree, sautéed asparagus with citrus gremolata. This is the top-selling menu item, and there’s no wonder why.

• Steak and Frites – 6-ounce beef tenderloin served with house-made steak sauce and garlic aioli with a side of herb and sea salt fries. If you’d like to upgrade your steak experience as I do, then order a side of the cheese fondue for dipping. You’ll be glad you did.

• Butterscotch Pot de Crème – This is their most popular dessert by far – butterscotch pudding, topped with warm chocolate fudge, brown sugar streusel and whipped cream.

• Vanilla Crème Brulee – Rich custard topped with a crisp layer of toasted sugar, served with strawberries.

One of my favorite things about Fat Calf is their Social Hour. From 4 – 6 p.m. each day they’re open, they have four appetizers that are $6. The cauliflower bites I mentioned above, plus:

• Pretzel and Fondue – Soft, salted pretzel served with house-made cheese fondue and whole grain mustard. Quite possibly the best soft pretzel in town.

• Heirloom Truffle Popcorn – Wisconsin black popcorn tossed in truffle butter and Parmesan, chives and sea salt.

• Crispy Brussel Sprouts – Tossed in Korean vinaigrette, pumpkin seeds, golden raisins and Maldon salt. I never, ever like Brussel sprouts, but I love these.

You can’t have Social Hour without a nice drink or two. Fat Calf has 12 adult beverage options to choose from, including Le Coeur de la Reine Sauvignon Blanc, DePaulo Pinot Noir, Old Fashioned, dirty martini and a classic margarita, also for only $6 each.

Salads are on the menu, too: BLT Caesar and Strawberry Avocado. Also on the menu: cedar smoked salmon, Brasserie burger (another favorite of mine!), and spring pea risotto (which can also be vegan upon request). They didn’t forget about the little ones. The Kids’ Menu features chicken nuggets with fries, mac and cheese, or slider burgers with fries.