Description:

Wilson Richey opened The Alley Light when he and his wife needed a quiet place for some uninterrupted conversation about their other restaurants in town.   The Alley Light has a comfortable dining room – small and intimate with only 8 tables, a few couches and soft lounging chairs.

The food focuses on shared plates in a classical French style. Their standard offerings include marinated mushrooms (excellent!), a French tuna sandwich, braised pork belly, rabbit or pork rillete, and cured salmon with beets and oranges.  Every week there are new specials – such as Hangar steak with poatato cake, ocean trout with mac & cheese, seared scallops with poached egg, rice stuffed baby chicken, crispy chickpea crepe, creamy sunchoke & roquefort soup.

You do not want to fill up on sharing the small plates or entrees because their desserts are fantastic.  The “Mr. Rech” is a signature dessert – a large macaroon with hazelnut mousse filling topped with a chocolate ganache.  All of the other desserts – poached pear, raspberry tart and passion fruit cheesecake – are all delicious.

Unlike many restaurants these days you do not need to shout to talk with your dinner companions.  A definite plus!

We can see why they are nominated for a James Beard award this year.