Tru Blu Social Club

All About Food | September 13th, 2017

Brand new and satisfying in so many ways

I ventured into Tru Blu on Sunday at noon. As soon as I entered I was immediately astonished by the interior. It’s gorgeous! The brown tufted booths and dark wood give the impression that you have stepped into a classier version of your existence. You’ll believe you were transported to a scene from ‘Madmen.’ With chandeliers hung in staggered fashion and gold ornate art nouveau-styled frames on the wall, the look is aesthetically complete.

I was quickly led to a very comfortable booth in the rear of the restaurant. I was still in shock as I just sat and gandered at everything around me. The art surrounding the bar is eclectic, but well curated, and with this amount of visual stimulation I knew that the meal to come was going to be as much if not more of a treat than the visual decadence. Not only is the dining room beautiful, but the basement contains a gorgeous 150-person event space that could hold even the fanciest affairs.

I started with a cocktail. My server Amy recommended the “Smoked Manhattan.” I am always a fan of bourbon, and when my drink arrived the presentation and attention to detail was glorious. The drink was served in a small brown bottle, and brought on a slat of wood with the Manhattan glass turned upside down. When lifted a puff of smoke was released from the coupe. There were two cherries placed over the mouth of the bottle, and after pouring the liquid into the glass the smoke was released into the cocktail and the combination of flavors was quite literally incendiary.

I spoke with the general manager Landa and asked her what she recommended for an appetizer. She informed me that the bacon steak was excellent so I went with that. It came on a long plate with two bacon strips about a half inch thick intersected across the platter. For a garnish, there were multiple sliced cherry tomatoes, mixed greens and an amazing spicy aioli. The aioli was unbelievable and I was honored that the chef provided me with some clues to its contents. The bacon steak was smoky and delicious and my mouth is watering currently thinking about it again. Quite Pavlovian.

For my entrée, I ordered the Bleu Cheese Ribeye Dip. Which contained, just as my server described it, “real blue cheese, and not your grandparents’ Roquefort.” She was correct. The meat was tender, the bun was soft, and the au jus fabulous. The combination of these elements along with the general heft of the dish satisfied beyond belief.

This came with a starter of French onion soup which was the classic, served just as everyone knows and loves it, done perfectly with bread and cheese smothering the brown delicious broth. I couldn’t finish it all! It was so rich and fantastic, it could be a meal all by itself. I was so full!

Tru blu provided me with an unbelievable sense of satisfaction and a yearning to return. The aesthetic is so appealing, the food so delicious and filling, the service extraordinary. I felt so welcomed by this awesome staff that it would be a shame not to visit soon. I recommend this establishment wholeheartedly for an intimate dinner, a delicious lunch or a large-scale event.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Tru Blu Social Club

915 19th Ave E, West Fargo

701-532-2600; reservations, opentable.com

Open daily, 11am-1am; Fri & Sat, 11am-midnight

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