Agnes & Sherman – Worth a Try (but Maybe Not a Drive Across Town)

There's a lot to like about Agnes & Sherman. A fresh, cheffy take on Chinese-American food is a welcome addition to the scene. And I particularly like the vibe of this place — it's nice enough to feel like you're actually going out to dinner, but it's casual enough to not need to make a big fuss about the whole thing.

Most everything on the menu sounded interesting and we tried quite a bit. As is often the case with a spot that's trying to put a new spin on the familiar, there were hits and misses. Deconstructing a crab Rangoon seemed like a sure winner, but it wasn't. The egg roll likewise was "meh." But a steak frites was perfectly cooked and the fried chicken was so delicious. After the outstanding main courses, dessert was a bit of a let down.

So I left with an overall positive feeling about this place and a lot of confidence that the food will get better and better as the kitchen refines the menu. Would I go back? For sure. Would I drive 25 minutes across town on a special trip to do so? Probably not based on my first visit, but I've got high hopes that things will only get better.