text: Little did I know that my favorite restaurant was right up the street.\n\nThings started off a little rough, though.  My boyfriend and I got there early so we could have a drink at the bar. The contemporary decor and ambiance was impressive as was the glassed 'wall of wine' just inside the front door and the patio seating outside. Everything was looking good. We grabbed the last two seats at the small bar and spent the next 15 minutes trying to order a drink. The bartender was having none of it. He was very friendly and would talk to us, but mid-sentence he would dash off to serve someone else. It was bizarre at first, then frustrating, then just comical. It happened, like 5 times. Our dinner guests showed up soon thereafter and we were shown to our table, drinkless.\n\nThe four of us were seated in a secluded row of booths down the middle of the room with copper mesh chain curtains separating the booths. Lighting was intimate and the colors were deep browns, leather and golds. It was edgy and cool. The floor was cork. Not at all what you would expect in a strip mall.\n\nThe drink menu was inspired and the wine list varied and reasonable. Many, many wine choices under $50. I ordered a raspberry mojito and asked for it to be sugar-free.  It took them two tries to remember not to put any sugar in it, but when they got it right it was awesome. \n\nOur super friendly waitress handed us the menus and explained Cork's \"smaller plates\" concept. She recommended we choose 2 to 3 dishes per person to share. Each dish was between $10 and $19 or so. Expecting the typical tapas-sized, 3-to-a-plate samples usually found on small plates, we decided on 4 appetizers, 2 salads and 4 entrees. It turned out to be plenty of food. Way too much, we thought at first, but it was so crazy good we managed to eat it all. Next time, we'll probably pare it down a bit and save some dough. Here's what we had. \n\nAppetizers:\n\n* Lion Paw Scallop - Barolo Braised Veal Shoulder, Veal Meat Loaf, Roasted Sweet Potato Puree, Hunters Sauce $15\n\n* Cork's Mac and Cheese - BBQ Pork Belly, Smoked Bacon, Chanterelles, 6 yr. Old Widmer's Macaroni $13\n\n* Seared Foie Gras - Confit Duck Cr\u00eape, Caramel Spiced Squash, Goat Cheese Fondue, Preserved Lemon, Balsamic $18\n\n* Charcuterie Plate - Torchon au Foie Gras, Smoked Antelope Roulade, Elk Pastrami, M\u00e9lange of Accoutrements $16\n\nSalads:\n\n* Baby Rocket Salad Basil - Parsley and Dijon Vinaigrette, Roca Parmesan, Croustade $6\n\n* Baby Little Gem Lettuce - Goat Cheese, Spiced Cashews, Applewood Bacon, Red Onion, Apple Vinaigrette $8\n\nEntrees:\n\n* Charred Duck Breast - Foie Gras Risotto, Butternut Squash, Candied Pecans, Grand Marnier Cranberry $15\n\n* Grilled Organic Lamb Chop - Braised Lamb Shank, Matsutake Orangini, Mirepoix Puree, Mustard Zinfandel $18\n\n* Butter Basted Swordfish Sweet Potato and Jalape\u00f1o Gnocchi, Snow Peas, Honey Lavender Glaze $16\n\n* Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Yukon Mashed Potatoes, Haricot Vert, Brown Gravy $12\n\nOur favorites were the fois gras, mac & cheese, the duck and the lamb, although everything was delicious.  The only thing we didn't dig was the Buttermilk Fried Chicken. It was beyond crispy, overdone and dry. Oh, and the Gnocchi on the Swordfish was rubbery.\n\nDessert was a trio of sorbets. I think they were watermelon, pear and... um... I can't remember. Good though.\n\nI can't wait to go back.