In these trying economic times (I’ve always wanted to type that) opening any business is a risky endeavor, especially a restaurant. In order to succeed you better be really good. Fortunately, Orchard Green Restaurant is really, really good.

Occupying a former brewery on South Gilbert St. in Iowa City, the space has nothing but character. They’ve meticulously refinished the beautiful cherry woodwork and kept the original globe chandeliers. The downstairs holds a long bar with cozy tables. It’s a casual and relaxed atmosphere with a crackling fireplace and no fewer than 12 beers on tap.

I was really impressed by the beer list. I enjoy a glass of wine every now and then but give me a really good beer and I’m in heaven. Each draft is given a loving description and I can’t wait to come back and try
them all.

The menu is also well-crafted. While I can’t say they offer anything truly unique for the area, it is a thorough and superb selection of upscale American cuisine.

Typically I stay away from chicken dishes. Chicken can be very boring at most restaurants. But I thought I’d give it a go and ordered the “Natural” Chicken Breast, a seared breast with orecchiette pasta, snap peas, pancetta, scallions and chevre carbonara sauce. The searing of the skin gave it a delicious crispy bite and kept the chicken juicy. What really put this dish over the edge was the carbonara sauce. It was silky and flavorful and pairing it with the pasta made this a new comfort food favorite.

My husband had the filet mignon, of course. When faced with such decisions it’s hard to turn down a really good steak. It was crusted with roasted garlic and paired with red onion confit, broccoli and baby carrots and thyme jus. He put it right up there as one of the best steaks ever.

We were stuffed to the brim from our wonderful meals but we took deep breaths and went ahead and ordered dessert. My husband had the cheesecake and I enjoyed a peanut butter cup parfait. My dessert was a lot of pudding with a secret little brownie bite. It was a little tricky to eat in the cup it was served in and the brownie was a tad dry. I don’t think I’d order that one again. But my husband’s cheesecake was outstanding.

Orchard Green Restaurant seems to have a winning formula. I’ll do my part to make sure they’re around for a long time.