Don Rhode and Robert Barker have collaborated on a new and engaging restaurant in the former site of Sardine Rouge on W. 6th St. It's called Demi Epicurious. The concept is smaller entrees designed for sharing and mixing and comingling. Although only three months old, it has already made our Top 20 list. This is the first time we've included a restaurant without substantial lineage on the list. And there's a reason.

Demi hit the ground running. From opening night, the food has been innovative and excellent. And each subsequent visit has been better than the last.!

Let's start with the appetizers: The calamari is exceptional. Dusted in hazelnut with an ancho romano tomato sauce and authentic Pecorino Romano parmensan, the flavor here just sparkles.

I'm also very partial to the foie gras which is served with a cinnamon brioche and luscious Morello cherries soaked in brandy.

And you must try the very original Lobster Shooter. This is a morsel of hot buttered lobster with toasted corn done in a bisque of carrot ginger. This comes in a sort of ceramic shot glass and you just shoot it right down. I love it. My only request would be a Maine lobster instead of a Rock Lobster..but I'm not going to quibble.

The salads are excellent as well. My favorite is the Caesar. It has the classic Caesar flavor profile along with crispy hearts of romaine lettuce, caibatta croutons, and wonderful flakes of Parmesan Reggiano.

And the entrees. I haven't had one I've disliked yet. The Texas Rabbit is amazing in both taste and presentation. Comforting and flavorful with a foreshank confit that defies description and a giblet bread pudding with a ruddy, tasty gravy, I could order this perpetually.

Likewise for the Togarashi Shrimp. Served with apple wood smoked bacon slaw, a mango coulis and pea tendrils, the flavor of this dish is on a par with my other all-time favorite shrimp dish in town, Shrimp Harrisa at the Shoreline. You must try this one.
Equally compelling is the Pink Muscovy Duck Breast.. Tender, absolutely moist [and we all know how dry duck can sometimes get] this dish just stunned me with its simplicity and alternately, its extraordinary depth of flavors. Done with a hash of brussel sprouts in a pomegranate bordelaise sauce, Robert Barker has outdone himself on this one. Well, for that matter, he's outdone himself on everything in the restaurant.

Bold , innovative, yet absolutely right on…this is Demi Epicurious. Go there now. Leave work, drop whatever you're doing. Demi is a must visit. Look for me, I'll be the big guy with the beard shooting lobsters.

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