Copper Spoon is the Gold Standard

Copper Spoon is a sparkling jewel in the crown that is Fort Wayne’s dining scene. It’s so good, in fact, I believe it can be considered the gold standard for Fort Wayne dining. Home to a James Beard nominated chef, the dining experience is unsurprisingly exquisite. The atmosphere is lovely, but far from pretentious. The restaurant manages to somehow be elegant yet cozy. My preference is to sit at one of their booths, which are inset into a stone wall. The alcove created is romantically broody, without being too dark; my ideal aesthetic. Tin ceiling tiles, intriguing artwork, and an inviting stone archway: my favorite seat in the house will always be in one of these booths. It really adds tremendously to the dining experience. Despite surrounding the bar, which can get quite crowded, these inset booths offer a calm sanctuary from Copper Spoon’s bustling atmosphere.

Having been nominated as one of the best cocktail bars in the country, their drink menu is both massive and artful. While they specialize in spirits and cocktails, their wine list is far from an afterthought and boasts a sophisticated selection. I have never been anything but delighted with the wines I’ve sampled. On my last visit, I ordered a scrumptious Malbec. It paired quite well with my food.

My dining companion and I began our meal with a small plate of warm olives. Though simple, this dish is by far one of my favorite things I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. Marinated with herbs and citrus, the olives are served warm in deeply flavorful oil, with crusty bread to soak it all up; this dish is more than the sum of its parts. As an olive enthusiast, I simply can’t get enough of this small plate. I crave it constantly. When it arrived at the table, we dug in immediately, completely forgetting to grab a photo. So, my Instagram and blog now both feature a half eaten plate of my favorite olives. I have no regrets.

On the night we dined, there was a special offering of a porterhouse steak for two. This is not the first time I’ve gotten a large steak, meant to be shared by two people, from Copper Spoon. I am never disappointed with this choice; though eventually I’ve got to get around to trying everything else on their expertly crafted menu. It all looks so good, I swear, someday I will eventually make it through the entire menu. #goals

To accompany the expertly seasoned and seared steak, we ordered Brussels Sprouts and the Patatas and Aioli. While I very much enjoy the unique flavors of the Brussels Sprouts with fish sauce and mint, it’s the Patatas that are truly never to be missed. Large, chunks of fried potato that remain divinely fluffy inside are dressed with a heavenly, creamy, garlicky aioli: they are a gateway drug to a serious fried potato addiction. At only $8 a plate, you’ve no excuse not to try them. I could very quickly drain my bank account eating nothing but these potatoes–they’re that addictive. I truly can’t recommend Copper Spoon highly enough. When family and friends ask me about what exciting dining experiences I’m finding in my new city, Copper Spoon always quickly enters the conversation. It’s absolutely one of my favorite places!