I literally live a 4 minute walk from here and have no idea why it took me this long to check it…read moreout. I took my boyfriend here last night for his 24th birthday celebration, and boy did it exceed every expectation.
When we first arrived, we were taken aback by the waterfall feature at the front door. We genuinely thought we were at the wrong entrance. Turns out it was entirely intentional, and in the excitement of the evening, we forgot to ask about the story behind it. A fun little mystery to solve on our next visit.
We arrived about 30 minutes early and were welcomed warmly from the moment we walked in. The staff gave us a lovely intimate table with a great view of the restaurant's eclectic decor and designs. The ambiance struck the perfect balance, lively and engaging without being so loud that we could not have a real conversation, which for my partner and me is genuinely one of the most important aspects of a dining experience. Since we both work incredibly busy schedules, this was not only a birthday celebration but our first proper date night in quite a while, and the atmosphere made it feel truly special. The staff even surprised us with a complimentary prosecco for the birthday, something we were absolutely not expecting and deeply appreciated.
On the drinks side, although I am not personally a big drinker, my boyfriend loves exploring new spirits and cocktail combinations. The bartenders were fantastic: knowledgeable, approachable, and genuinely enthusiastic about their recommendations across both wines and spirits. They made the whole experience feel curated rather than transactional.
Now, let me tell you about Jelly.
Our server Jelly was, without question, the highlight of the entire evening, and that is saying a lot given how spectacular everything else was. I have a severe pineapple allergy, and if you dine out with food allergies, you know the usual routine. The server writes it down, maybe glances at it when the food arrives, and you spend the whole meal quietly hoping for the best. Jelly was on an entirely different level.
She went completely above and beyond, meticulously checking every food option and wine pairing to ensure nothing contained pineapple and that there was zero risk of cross contamination. When a wine bottle did not clearly list its ingredients, she did not guess or assume. She looked it up on the internet right then and there to confirm it was safe for me. That gesture might sound simple, but for someone with a severe allergy, it is everything. It communicates that she genuinely cared about my wellbeing, not just about getting through her tables for the night. I felt completely taken care of, safe, and able to relax and enjoy myself without the anxiety that usually accompanies dining out with an allergy. Jelly, if you ever read this: thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are exceptional at what you do and an absolute asset to Blood & Sand.
And now, the food, which was nothing short of breathtaking.
From the presentation, to the pacing and timing, to the extraordinary depth of flavor on every plate, the food at Blood & Sand is spectacular and amazing in the truest sense of both words. My boyfriend and I had the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings. We had originally hoped for the 10 course, but it was not being offered that evening. No matter, because the 5 course delivered more than enough to leave us completely floored.
The evening opened with a palate initiator of carrots, goat cheese, and walnuts. I will be honest, I was not excited. Carrots and goat cheese are genuinely two of my least favorite foods on the planet. But I gave it a try and it was absolutely heavenly. A perfect encapsulation of what this kitchen does: it takes ingredients you think you know and transforms them into something you cannot stop thinking about.
My absolute favorites of the evening were the tuna carpaccio, the wagyu flank steak, and the pierogis. Each one was cooked and composed to perfection. Everything melted in my mouth and left me wishing the courses would never end.
My one constructive note is on the oyster course. I love oysters and eat them often, so I was genuinely looking forward to this one. The portion, two very small oysters with modest accompaniments of horseradish, a small salsa, and lemon, felt a little light even by tasting menu standards. I would love to see either four oysters at that size or two larger ones. It was gone so quickly and felt slightly out of step with the generosity of every other course.
That small note aside, Blood & Sand delivered one of the most memorable dining experiences I have had in a long time. Every single person on that floor, from the bartenders to the host to the incredible Jelly, went above and beyond to make the night comfortable, fun, intimate, and genuinely special. We will absolutely be back, and next time I will not wait so long given that I practically live next door.
