SHAKE + STIR: THE LIME LITE
A Galentine’s Day Destination
Galentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to get together with your gal pals, so step into The Lime Lite for girl’s night! Whatever may be the occasion that draws you in, Lime Lite offers some of the best food and drinks in town with an atmosphere that begs patrons to sit and stay awhile. For this latest installment of Shake+Stir, CVLUX’s Editorial Director Lauren Barisic was accompanied by Kathryn Marziliano, Erin Melkonian, Tracy Kashian, Jess Counts, and Laura Thompson for a tasting of five menu items and three cocktails.
Out first was the Lime Lite Martini, which Tracy enthusiastically professes, “This is my favorite drink in town!” “It has cilantro, which I like because it gives it more punch,” Jess seconds. A pale green concoction of Tito’s vodka, freshly squeezed lemon-lime juice, house-made simple syrup, and speckles of chopped herb with a sugared rim make it as fun to look at as it is to drink.
The Lime Lite’s Beet Salad makes a convincing argument even to non-beet lovers. Jess keenly points out, “The whipped goat cheese beautifully compliments the earthiness of the slow-roasted beets,” which are topped with local greens, sliced seasonal fruits, toasted pistachios, and a champagne vinaigrette. “It’s all about the texture here,” states Erin, who notes that in addition to incredible flavor, “it’s packed densely with nutrients.”
A crowd favorite year-round, the restaurant’s Surf & Turf never disappoints. “I almost always order this,” confesses Kathryn. “It’s the perfect dinner with a side salad.” Impossibly tender seared ponzu steak is topped with crispy battered siracha shrimp, both of which rest in a pool of grilled scallion ponzu sauce and are finished with just a sprinkling of greens and paper-thin pickled Fresno chili for a bit of heat.
If you aren’t an ahi fan, this Seared Tuna Tataki will be your best bet at liking the fish. But if you are into it, this dish will tantalize your taste buds. Nori-crusted tuna rests on spicy ponzu sauce with a dainty dollop of wasabi-avocado salsa and a sliver of Fresno chili on top. Black sesame tempura and honey cashews dot the plate. “I’d enjoy this dish any time of the year,” Erin admits. “It’s so satisfying but not too filling, so it’s a great starter, and I just love how the different flavors come together so seamlessly.”
Blush and rouge colors are synonymous with the Love Month, making the translucent pink Velvet Underground an ideal libation to order. Its tinge of lavender is due to the addition of Empress Indigo Gin, which Kathryn loves since it’s so versatile. “It was well-balanced with citrus and sweetness to soften and enhance the Empress 1908 botanicals,” she shares. “A lovely drink no matter what time of day.” Freshly squeezed lemon-lime juice, Giffords Wild Elderflower Liqueur, and a champagne float truly embody all that a Valentine sipper should include.
Thanks to the abundance of produce in the Central Valley, one of autumn’s favorite squashes can be enjoyed even into the New Year. Here, Butternut Ravioli is stuffed with ricotta and mascarpone. A medley of maitake mushrooms, kale, crispy sage, toasted pine nuts, and brown butter pair brilliantly together, allowing this dish to transcend the seasons. “I really appreciate how the fresh veggies make this pasta feel like a lighter dish,” comments Laura.
Arguably, no V-Day dining experience would be complete without lobster. This drool-inducing Lobster Mac is served in an iron skillet. Homemade pasta is cloaked in cheesy sauce and black truffles and then topped with herb-roasted lobster and brown butter breadcrumbs. “Who does not love lobster macaroni and cheese?” Tracy questions enthusiastically, “And when you add the truffle, it is a trifecta of goodness!”
Lime Lite’s House Cosmo is probably unlike any Cosmo you’ve ever had. “Of all the signature cocktails here, the consistency of this drink is what makes it a top pick for me,” Laura imparts. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Curaçao, and limoncello are mixed with house-made cranberry-raspberry jam, which is key to the potion’s velvety texture and rosy hue. A lime wheel nods at the inclusion of the freshly squeezed lemon-lime juice, which is featured in many of the restaurant’s cocktails, including this one.
The Lime Lite may be a Galentine’s Day destination for this feature, but frankly, it’s always a great pick no matter if you’re single, coupled, somewhere in between, or simply meeting up with friends and family. Interestingly enough, prioritizing quality time with those we love was a hot topic of conversation amongst the ladies at this sitting. February may be the month of love, but love for great food, drinks, and company never goes out of season.
Feature Editor Elisabeth Ross
Photographer Don Dizon
Don Dizon
Photographer
Don is a portrait and still-life photographer based on Fresno, California. He was a nursing major from Fresno City College, and while waiting to get in the nursing program, he continued to take photography classes. There he fell completely in love with photography. Capturing the right moment only takes one shot. But it is much more than that! You need to have the right lighting, angle, and expression to get the perfect photograph. Over the years, Don has mastered the art of capturing the moment.
