As Tina Turner sang, "Simply the best! Better than all the rest!" That's Fearings. While the menu…read moredoes change some, fortunately there's some staples you can always count on.
Great location.
Amazing service.
Phenomenal food.
We were out and about so I surprised my wife for lunch at her favorite spot. We pull up to valet and are greeted with a smile. Greeted again as we enter the breathtaking lobby, a common photo-op for date nights and family gatherings. We walk through the bar to the receptionist, "reservation?" "No maam, we're just dropping in." "Two of you?" "Yes maam!" "Great follow me." We get a romantic booth on the wall with a view of the windows and the kitchen. There's several groups having business lunches and in front of us the two cutest ladies who have probably been best friends for 50+ years having lunch and celebrating one of their birthdays.
We're greeted again by one of our servers who takes drink orders. We both order sparkling water with lime, and I also ask for iced tea. I ask the waiter "is it a brewed flavored tea by chance?" "No sir. It's a black tea." I reply, "you guys used to serve the most amazing ginger peach tea of which I became quite the connoisseur." He replies, "oh we still offer that through out the hotel. I'll get you a glass." "Really?!?! That would be perfect!"
He then returns with our drinks and brings out their famous breads and butter. They are all incredible, but my personal favorite is the jalapeño cornbread. It's a game changer!
He informs us it's restaurant week, which we've always heard of but never taken part in one. Three course meal, includes dessert, for $39 per person. Their offer is some of their top hits so we're stoked!
We both get a cup of their world famous Dean's tortilla soup. It's non-negotiable. You've got to get it. We then added a Southwest Caesar salad to share, not part of the offer, which they split into two plates without us asking.
Next the entrees come out. I got the Dr Pepper braise Rosewood Ranch Short Ribs with 'Loaded' Whipped Potatoes, Glazed Heirloom Carrots and Crispy Tobacco Onions. When I say this was a game changer and not to be missed, I can emphasize it enough. This entree is probably Dean's most popular and for good reason. Funny enough, while the short rib is a game changer, the sides should have won a Grammy for best supporting role. They were incredible. I saved a piece of the cornbread just to sop up my lunch and proudly gave myself a pat on the back for such a stellar idea.
My wife had the Apricot Glazed Bay of Fundy Salmon on Field Pea Salad, Pepita Pesto and Buttermilk Fried Okra. She couldn't stop talking about it. Admittedly, I'm not a salmon fan, but it was very good. Once again the okra and sides were a showstopper.
NOTE: one of our favorite things about Fearing's is their French pressed pot of coffee. It's exceptional. So without hesitation, knowing we probably couldn't finish a glass due to our existing gluttony, we didn't give up like a bunch of sissies, no we pressed on. It's a marathon, not a sprint. We got our pot of coffee and await the pièce de résistance, dessert!
For Dessert, I had Granny Fearing's Banana Pudding with Toasted Meringue and Cinnamon Sugar Beignets. OMG! So good it will make you kiss yo momma! Seriously, if you've given up too early and missed this special treat then you've got to man up and stay the course, the third course. Again, it's a marathon so stay focused, don't overindulge and devour everything. To go bags are totally acceptable. My wife had a dessert I haven't seen before, but she absolutely loved hers. It's was a s'mores chocolate cakes with a chocolate ganache warm sauce poured over. While the presentation left us speechless, the flavor exceeded our already high expectations.
To put icing on the cake, one of the managers brought me another brewed peach tea and we discussed how much I love it and that the company was purchased by Starbucks and ceased to exist. Fearings and several others used to use them and I could spot it in an instant. I told her I purchased a stash before they went out of business. She then told me the brand they use and even came back and surprised me with a sealed bag of the tea leaves to brew at home. THAT is the typical every day experience everyone has at Fearings and THAT's WHY WE KEEP COMING BACK.
If we were offered one last meal, our family would choose Fearings. We come here just because, for birthday's, anniversaries, business, and any other time we can find an excuse. It's simply the best!