Dinner at La Forêt

Last night, we celebrated our parents’ 24th anniversary at La Forêt, a French restaurant hidden away in a quiet part of town. The setting was warm and elegant—just the kind of place you'd expect for a special occasion.
We kicked things off with some warm sourdough bread, crusty on the outside and soft inside. While my parents chose the five-course tasting menu, my brother and I ordered à la carte. I chose the pasta fruit de mer, and he went with the salmon and mashed potatoes.
Their first course was shrimp, which was nothing to our surprise. It didn’t feel very inspired or special. Then came the lobster course, and sadly, it was a big letdown. It tasted like it had been frozen and was rubbery and bland—not what you’d expect at a French restaurant with a reputation of being “Top 50 in America”.
Thankfully, things took a slight turn with the ahi tuna course. It was simple, fresh, and nicely done; nothing fancy, but definitely enjoyable.
When our mains arrived, I was hopeful. My pasta had some delicious scallops, but the rest of the dish didn’t hold up. It had a strange olive-heavy flavor which didn’t really work. On the other hand, my brother’s salmon was a win; flaky with a nice lemony kick and served with soft, creamy mashed potatoes. My parents served the same salmon for their main meal and seemed to enjoy it as well.
Dessert redeemed the night. We ended with two crème brûlées to share—crisp caramelized tops and creamy custard underneath. Sweet, smooth, and just what we needed to wrap things up.
All in all, La Forêt had its highs and lows. The atmosphere and dessert shined, but some of the dishes, especially that lobster, missed the mark. Still, it was a memorable night with family, which matters more than the food.