"**SERVICE:** We were seated relatively quickly; I think we waited about 15 minutes. Our waitress, Tracy, was fantastic. She kept our glasses full, cleared away empty dishes, and offered great recommendations.
**FOOD:** For our appetizer, we shared the Chicken Liver Mousse Jar at Tracy's suggestion. The mousse itself was wonderfully creamy and topped with a thin layer of Port-flavored gel. It was unique to see it served in a glass. We weren’t quite sure how to eat it at first, but thankfully, Tracy guided us—it pairs perfectly with the roasted crostinis and the accompanying apple chutney. We found that the mousse really needs to be generously spread to fully appreciate its rich flavor. The apple chutney added a clever mix of tartness and subtle sweetness that complemented the richness of the mousse beautifully. Kudos to Westside for being original! (Confession: Had I not been with two fine gentlemen, I might have shamelessly eaten this deliciousness with a spoon, much like I would with nut or peanut butter—it was that good! However, I wasn’t a fan of the olive oil and herb-infused crostinis. They were too hard, almost like biscotti, which detracted from the creamy texture and flavor of the mousse. I would have preferred something softer, like flatbread.)
For the main course, I tried the Seared Scallops with sautéed spinach, caramelized onions, and persimmons in a blood orange vinaigrette. This was the evening's special, and it included four large, plump scallop medallions that were impressive in size. However, I found the dish a bit too salty for my palate. The persimmons added a surprising sweet burst that was a nice touch.
For dessert, we had the Warm Sticky Toffee Cake with Mascarpone Cream. It was interesting to see the cakes and cream lose their shape as we chatted throughout the evening. The cream surprisingly held up well! Both the cake and the cream were quite rich for my taste, and lacking in flavor, so I ended up passing most of it on to Tony and Daniel.
Overall, Westside Tavern has a lovely semi-upscale ambiance that reminds me of many Houstons I’ve visited. I really enjoyed the vibe and would definitely love to return—especially for another Chicken Liver Mousse appetizer!"
