We had a gift card to Jax and were able to get seats for 2 in the dining room around 7pm on Friday night with no reservation. However, it seems like getting a reservation ahead of time is the way to go if you have a larger party or if you want to sit by the window to the outdoor patio which is a great seat! The staff was super friendly, personable, and accommodating. The restaurant itself has a cozy, classic elegance with wood-paneled walls, velvet drapes, and soft lighting. It's a perfect setting for a special occasion. Bonus points for the free parking lot across the street.
To start, we shared the roasted tomatoes and goat cheese appetizer. I was seriously impressed as I am normally not a huge fan of goat cheese, but the combination of the creamy, earthy cheese with the sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, rosemary, and warm, buttery baguette was phenomenal. Not too heavy either and great for sharing. I'd definitely order it again.
For my entrée, I had the pan-seared scallops, which came with sautéed spinach. The plate includes four scallops with a generous portion of spinach in the center (see photo in my review). If you're really hungry, this might not be filling enough on its own so you might want to add an à la carte side. I tend to order scallops whenever I see them on a menu and have become a little picky. These weren't quite there for me. The tops weren't as crispy or golden as I prefer, and while they were heavy on salt, they lacked much flavor otherwise. The spinach was soaked in a buttery sauce that I didn't love as a pairing either. Sadly, the dish was a miss for me.
My husband got the 14 oz. slow-roasted prime rib au jus (medium rare), served with creamy horseradish sauce and mashed potatoes. The potatoes were super creamy and buttery. A solid, comforting side for such a hearty entrée. The prime rib itself was juicy, tender, and flavorful. The horseradish sauce had just enough of a kick to complement the meat without overpowering it. Overall, a strong showing. Better than many, bested by few.
Also just a heads-up: when ordering, our server asked if we wanted to add a salad or a side, which could easily tack on another $15-$21 per person, depending on what you choose. So just something to keep in mind!
One fun highlight was the drink menu. They have an extensive bourbon/whiskey and wine selection. I ordered a glass of Caymus Suisun Grand Durif, which was a fantastically full-bodied, smooth red that would've paired perfectly with the prime rib. My husband got a maple old fashioned. Made with Maker's 46 bourbon, it had toasty oak tones and was fairly vanilla-forward. It came with a thick cut of bacon, which was maple-glazed and heavily peppered, a fun addition to a good old fashioned.
For dessert, we tried the bread pudding and the Baileys chocolate cake. They bring around a dessert tray with the night's options, which was a fun, nostalgic touch. According to our server, some desserts are made in-house and some are store-bought, so it's worth asking. From what I remember, the Baileys cake and crème brûlée are house-made. The Baileys cake was light, creamy, and not overly rich. The bread pudding was a bit firmer than we usually prefer, but was infused with white chocolate and had whipped cream on top. For reference, all desserts were $11 (you don't get a menu with prices).
Overall, the food was hit-or-miss. We may have just picked the wrong dishes but the ambience, service, and drinks were excellent. Would come back to try a few other menu items! read more