As you can see from the title, we are doing a restaurant review today! YAY! Right? Right! So, before we jump into this, I will give you a little of "what's up," and then get to the gritty.
I don't know what Jake has been doing, but I have been working a bunch and doing the school thing and blah blah. This is dumb, I will carry on.
Ok, review! Harmony by Clint Goodman is a New American Fusion-style restaurant located directly downtown Waverly, IA. Check out the website here. They use local/fresh/organic ingredients, which is essentially unheard of in our little corner of the world. I won't go into the details of it's existence or anything like that, since much of it can be found at the website. I have been there three times, and each time has been simply fantastic.
Atmosphere: The building itself is between a couple businesses. If you're not looking for it, you can miss it. And that is kind of the magic of the place. There are two usable entrances, one leading to an elegant lounge, and the other to the dining room. The lounge has couches, local art, and an air of relaxation you don't really get from other lounges. The dining room is simple, with old jewelery cases lining the walls (large ceiling to ceiling ones, very old world) that contain local art pieces. The tables are dressed in black with white cloths. The whole place exudes cleanliness and professionalism.
Service: The service at Harmony is excellent. The only thing I could see was that there was an air of "newness" to them, methods not quite yet refined. However, this did not take away from the experience of fine dining service that leaves no wants unmet. The professionalism of the service shows, as no glass was empty, and courses were planned precisely.
Menu: The menu at Harmony can seem a bit overwhelming for how "limited" it seems. However, it is not limited at all once you are able to understand how willing Harmony is to please. The menu itself is fine dining defined. The restaurant does very well in maintaining a simple, yet elegant and exciting menu for many tastes. Harmony offers a contemporary and "classic" or more recognizable menu. The classic menu (I can't remember what it's actually called) uses items that are more along the lines of a steakhouse. The starters contain various soups, salads, and other items which are all described deliciously. The main courses can feature steaks (ribeye was the choice as of late), and cuts of meat more familiar to a majority of people.
The contemporary menu is that, simply put. The items on this are more towards the tastes of a connoisseur of various sea foods and a variety of items one from a small town rarely thinks of for options.
There are a number of ways to enjoy Harmony's items. There are three and five course tasting menus (which are a fantastic deal, appetizer, main course, and dessert for a price that can compete with many streamlined restaurants). Also are the items priced individually, a choice of a cheese plate, and other options. Desserts are listed by the server since they can vary daily.
Meal: Finally, what this blog has been getting at; the food. Harmony has provided some of the most perfectly prepared food that I have ever eaten. The flavors do, as the website title suggests, sing. The conception of what the menu offers comes to life as you are handed plates. The plating is magnificent, a blend of simple elegance with portions appropriate for this region. If you have never eaten organic or locally grown food before, I suggest Harmony before anything else. The sheer quality over most food offered by local stores and restaurants is astounding. There is an enormous difference between this food and food anywhere else, and it's for the better. If you have ever doubted that organic food is better, you have never eaten it properly prepared!
The items are perfectly seasoned, and most items are sauteed. You can tell that carefully seasoned pans are the only thing your food touches, and the aroma and pure professionalism are apparent as soon as you receive the dish. You can tell that Chef Clint knows what he is doing, and you can nearly taste the science that went behind choosing the specific items in the dish as they dance and play perfectly. The proteins are always the most moist and high-grade items available. I have had skate-wing, Lake Superior Whiting, Ribeye, and pork tenderloin. They have each been perfect, from fat content to moisture to how it is cooked. The vegetables are always delightful. And the desserts are delectable. I have had a watermelon sorbet (that tastes and has a texture VERY close to real watermelon, only a frozen sorbet) and the cheesecake. The cheesecake is fantastic, and painstakingly made. Upon speaking with the chef, you understand how much of himself is invested. The choice of the perfect cheese for the cheesecake, to what items he uses in his kitchen have all been planned perfectly, and it seems that a town the size of (and the almost "backwards-ly finicky" population) does not deserve such a place.
Drinks: Keeping with the theme of local, Harmony offers beer so local it is made on premises, Angry Cedar Brewing Co. While I have not had a chance to try any, from what I hear it is delicious. Harmony's chef is also either studying to be (or is, I can't recall) a sommalier, which means that specific wines can be paired with meals. The wine selection can only be describes as eclectic and expansive. I won't go into details, as I have very very little experience with wine. They also offer more well-known beers, and soda by the can.
If I could ever make a suggestion it would be to add a bar of some type and offer high-quality cocktails with top-shelf liquor. I can see many problems and obstacles that may come about, but offering a top-shelf Manhattan may help seal the deal for many.
Price: the pricing for Harmony can only be described as fair. Even those on a strict budget can find items that will subsist them. To some, the prices may seem ghastly at first (the use of $25 instead of $24.99 can throw us). However, one must understand that the quality of food is on a much higher level, and the price reflects very fairly on what you are given (especially since food costs have to be astronomical there). The portions are perfect. Don't go expecting to get something like at Applebee's, expect to spend time and thoroughly enjoy yourself at a restaurant that offers terrific food at reasonable prices. Like I mentioned before, the three course tasting menu is fantastic, and you get an appetizer, a large main course, and a dessert for a streamlined price.
Overall: I have to say that Harmony is my favorite restaurant of all time. From the unique dining room (and a unique experience on the whole), to the terrific menu and stellar food, Harmony is a place that one can easily overlook, but to the lucky people that find it, it's a gold mine. If you have not tried it, and live close enough, enjoy it soon, before they decide to uproot to a more happening town. If I were to grade it, I would give a 4.75/5. The only reason they do not receive a perfect score is because some items labeled on the menu are not consistently available. While I completely understand this sometimes happens (as years in food service will tell you), something seems to be out or close to the three times I have been. While Harmony specializes in fresh/local, changing a menu or doing things a bit differently in that regard may avoid some disappointment. I have no suggestions as to how, so I guess I am the jerk. Otherwise, Harmony, don't change a thing.
(images copyright Harmony/respectful owners)
-Tim
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