It’s been almost a year since my first dining experience at Trestle where I had a great meal for a relatively affordable price.

Trestle still offers a three course meal for $35 with an option to add an extra course for another $10. The menu is still the same format with two options in every category (appetizer, main course, dessert, and an additional pasta course if wanted) to choose from.

Corn Soup with Avocado, Confit Egg Yolk, and Shaved Radish (8/10).

The first appetizer was the corn soup, a luscious sweet mixture that perfectly complimented the creamy avocado with crispy tortilla strips and crunchy raw radishes. The confited egg yolk in the middle added another layer or richness and texture without being over the top.

Tomato and Squash Tart with Onion Jam, Chèvre (8.5/10).

I loved all the fresh vibrant flavors and colors of the tart. On the bottom there was an onion jam with a drizzle of balsamic reduction, which added a nice sweet acidity, and then topped with the tart. The tart itself was a thin crispy dough with various beautiful cherry tomatoes, summer squash, creamy tangy goat cheese, and fresh microgreens.

Additional Course: Ricotta Cannelloni with Black Truffle, Leeks, and Maitake Mushrooms (8/10).

These cannelloni were stuffed with Ricotta cheese with a black truffle sauce underneath that added a layer of complexity. There were also fresh peas in the sauce and maitake mushrooms that gave the dish a summery autumn feel.

Additional Course: Saffron Risotto with Chorizo, Calamari, and Tomato (8.5/10).

Usually I never order risotto at a restaurant because half the time it’s cooked improperly (not al dente, overcooked, and not creamy). However, this was unbelievably tasty. The saffron risotto was creamy yet the rice still had texture (firm to the bite). The calamari pieces were tossed in a tomato confit sauce that was bursting with sweetness. I really liked the combination of the flavors so this is something I’ll need to recreate at home!

Katafi Crusted Trout with Eggplant, Green Curry, and Lobster Emulsion (8.5/10)

This trout was spot on! The katafi (shredded phyllo) gave the trout a perfect golden crust that paired beautifully with the lobster emulsion and stewed eggplant and red peppers on the side. Simple but executed nicely.

Braised Beef Short Rib with Red Lettuce, Pole Beans, and Horseradish (6/10).

The beef short rib was the weakest dish of the night. While the meat was cooked nicely, tender, it lacked seasoning. The various accompaniments were decent but the dish overall lacked flavor and excitement.

Cinnamon Donuts with Prickly Pear, Candied Hibiscus, and Tres Leches Cream (8/10).

These cinnamon donuts were bomb, perfectly fluffy and delicious. I especially loved the candied hibiscus sauce that added a great sweet and sour flavor that helped balance out the rest of the dessert.

Chocolate Budino with Blue Corn Cornbread, Bartlett Pear, and Aperol (7/10).

The chocolate budino, essentially pudding, was velvety and rich with little dollops of bartlett pear sauce and torn pieces of blue corn cornbread.

I still think Trestle is a great deal in the city and I like the casual intimate atmosphere, a perfect option for a date night. Therefore my rating remains the same at an 8.5/10.