Mott St. at Blackhawk and Ashland in WPB. Killing me softly...

Mott St. that awesome red building at the corner of Blackhawk and Ashland. This restaurant is another creation by the team that runs Ruxbin, also on Ashland but a little closer to Chicago Ave.

Per their own words: "Mott St is family style dining and eclectic cuisine paired with a pointed beverage selection." I'd say that's an accurate description.

Mott St. at 1401 N. Ashland (Blackhawk)

I love Mott St. for four main reasons:

1. The food is spot on perfect and accessible (not too pricey, considering the expertise and quality of ingredients)

2. The energy is fun, it's lively, upbeat, worldly and not overpowering or intrusive; the atmosphere lends itself to a good time

3. The people are gracious and fun and the service is, quite honestly, unparalleled - more on that later…

4. They also have a really great beverage program, inventive and tasty cocktails, well parred down selection of wines, beers and sakes. Check out the fun subtitles to their cocktails. Some of my favorites include: "Korean Cowboy Rides off into A Gochugaru Sunset" and "Fat Chinese Kid Eating Konbu Candy at the Beach." So you know you're having fun! 

Kimchilada Astra

I also appreciate that the menu is simple and fun, I like the way it is organized and I like the fact that everything goes well together and is shareable.

 My favorite appetizer at Mott St, one that I dream about, is their Brussels Sprouts, wok fried with lamb pancetta and maple brown butter! Maple brown butter. Need I say more??? Okay, I will, it is melt in your mouth delicious. Of all the Brussels sprouts dishes I have tasted it is second to none. I also really like the Kimchi & Oaxaca Empanadas, masa shell served with chimichurri crème-fraiche - just a hint of heat and rich… and the Imperial Rolls, crispy rolls stuffed with force meat of the day, bean sprouts, basil, mint, nuoc cham. I don't remember what nuoc cham is but these rolls are refreshing to say the least.

Wok fried Brussels Sprouts.

I'm a Virginia raised boy so I love me some pork butt, can't pass it up. And I also happen to LOVE me some Korean food so I almost always go for their Stuffed Cabbage, napa kimchi stuffed with pork butt and sticky rice, pan seared. It is served like a neat little slab of lasagna with the cabbage surprisingly taking a back seat, neatly layered below the melt in your mouth pork and sticky rice that has that crustiness where the real flavor lies from being slightly caramelized. OH MY GOODNESS.

Kimchi & Oaxaca Empanadas

When I say the service is unparalleled… I don't say stuff like that so I really mean it. And I've been around the block a time or two. They are tending to every possible thing but not making a fuss about it. They catch tiny details like this one time… I was there… and the music was playing and it was just awesome and I - of course - was like, "OMG, What is this song?" so I was trying to Shazam it. Well, my Shazam app was not picking up the song so I tried again. No luck. About a minute later, Nate, one of the partners in the business and the fella in charge of the drinks hands me a slip of paper with the artist and song that was playing at the time neatly written down for me. Did he see me trying to Shazam it twice? I don't know. Did he see my jamming' to the grooves. I don't know, I guess he must have. THAT, my friends, THAT is attention to detail. You're not finding that happening other places. And it isn't something that I would ever expect. It is something that just happens and I only open myself to that opportunity. You see?

Pork, stuffed cabbage

I have been on five different occasions, three of which I was solo and dining solo affords me a really unique vantage point to take in all the details and observe how the team interacts, how other customers are responding, etc. You know what I think? I think everyone that works at Mott St. is passionate about what they are doing. I think they like a good time, I think they like seeing people enjoy themselves and I think they like creating something truly special. You know what I see customers doing? Having an absolutely fabulous time.

I tell you, this place is magical… truly magical. A lot of care and passion is going into every aspect of dining and drinking at this favorite spot. No surprise from such an incredible team.