Stacey Quandt

First time dining at Daniel. While the food is extraordinary what stood out most was our primary server Magalie. Her name means Pearl in English and she is a precious gem. She explained each dish and helped with my struggle over the dessert choices. Magalie's table side preparation of the foie gras was perfection. The restaurant is quiet for relaxed conversation. Of the four courses my favorites were the spot prawn tartar, and the soft shell crab tempura. The amuse bouche trio of leeks was so delicious and beautiful to look at. I look forward to dining here again.

I was underwhelmed by the monuments tour. Also there was a bit of confusion prior to this when I received a message that the tour had been cancelled but by the day of the tour it was scheduled again. The Website is not designed for mobile phones. The water taxi from Alexandria to the wharf was a better experience.

Our guide was so knowledgeable and his appreciation of the gardens was obvious. The progression of the garden rooms goes from formal English to Italianate palazzo. The mastery of Farrand to trick the eye with vanishing points makes the gardens appear larger. Since I visited in March, the magnolias, hellebores, cherry blossoms, forsythia, snowdrops and daffodils were in bloom. I can only imagine the visual and auditory effects when the multiple fountains are in operation.

The Medford Wegmans is an excellent alternative to whole foods. Since it is such a behemoth it looks like they have everything. However I like the prepared salads at Bfresh in Somerville better. I didn't see a poke bowl in the sushi area. The check out lines are long so I would visit early in the morning or on a weekday in the future