Review

Crab Rangoon Tots

Steak + Fries (a new menu item)

DINING REVIEW

Tucked into the Village Pointe storefronts on Davenport Street is 402 Eat+Drink, a restaurant offering a diverse menu of their interpretation of global foods. I recently dined there with friends.

A prominent sign advised guests that, like most restaurants, they were understaffed so please be patient. The hosts seemed a little flustered, but we were seated promptly thanks to our reservation and quickly greeted by our server, Patrick.

The menu is indeed diverse, offering flatbread, salads, sandwiches, and entrees like Creole Salmon Pasta, Korean Stir Fry, and a Braised Short Rib.

My friend ordered an Old Fashioned and declared that the restaurant wasn’t stingy with the alcohol. Her husband drank a strawberry lemonade, which he said was not too sweet. He frequently encounters strawberry lemonades that he believes are too sweet.

Everyone enjoyed eating the Crab Rangoon tots we ordered as an appetizer, although there seemed to be some variation in each piece. My husband said his had ample crab Rangoon filling while my tot was basically a big tater tot with some sweet and sour sauce drizzled over it and a couple of wonton strips. Regardless, it was tasty.

We also ordered the fried pickles and were delighted by the portion size; it was a heaping plate of fried dill pickle chips with a homemade ranch sauce that was more than enough for the four of us. A good number of the pieces were just fried breading, with no pickles inside. We saw another plate of fried pickles pass our table a few minutes later that seemed to feature plumper fried pickles. Perhaps we received the bottom layer of a batch.

My friends asked if they could split a wedge salad. The answer was yes, and it was delivered on two separate plates, each featuring an impressive presentation. We expected to have the salad appear at the table on one plate, perhaps sliced down the middle with extra plates.

One friend ordered the flat iron steak and was tickled to find the meat so tender she could cut it with her butter knife. She also praised the accompanying potatoes and said she really enjoyed the bordelaise sauce.

Reuben and fries

My husband made the bold proclamation that the 402 Reuben he ordered was the best Reuben he’s ever eaten. He said the cabbage had a delicious flavor as though it had been marinated beforehand, yet still retained its crispiness.

My friend’s husband ordered the birria torta dip and traded one piece for a piece of the Reuben. While he enjoyed the birria and said the spices were tasty, the Reuben caught his attention. “Sometimes you have to fight corned beef, but this is really tender and good,” he said. This is the same man who has exacting strawberry lemonade standards.

My tofu burger featured a sweet, slightly smoky barbecue sauce and a patty that was reminiscent of falafel. The ciabatta bread tasted fresh and the arugula was the perfect complement to the sandwich. The accompanying French fries were crispy and nicely flavored in a reasonable portion.

My husband and I split the roasted apple cheesecake for dessert, which featured a caramel drizzle and a spiced apple compote for topping. My friends split the creme brulee and remarked how the fresh fruit on top added to the overall flavor.

After the meal, when my friends asked for decaf coffee, our server said they would brew some since there wasn’t any ready at that time. We were all impressed by how calm and accommodating our server was despite the obvious crunch of guests throughout the restaurant. We never felt rushed, which is an impressive feat for a busy restaurant.

My husband made the bold proclamation that the 402 Reuben he ordered was the best Reuben he’s ever eaten.

I suggest making a reservation before visiting 402 Eat+Drink, especially on the weekend. You can expect tasty food and good service in a space that somehow manages to look industrial and blatantly colorful. The dichotomy of the interior décor didn’t take away from the overall dining experience, especially since all the food was masterfully plated.

402 Eat+Drink has a children’s menu, too. I think this makes for a great opportunity for families who are at Village Pointe to stop in for a good meal to escape the typical fast-food trap of shopping with children.

The bill, before tip, was $56.68. This restaurant will be added to my list of good options at Village Pointe. The food is good, the menu is varied—and the staff is exceptional.

Visit eat402.com for more information.