Relish opening next Saturday in Deerfield Township

So I made it last weekend to a preview night at Relish Modern Tapas in the new buildings (otherwise empty at the moment) behind Deerfield Towne Center. Polly blogged about it earlier this month, and the Relish Web site is now working (though the menu listings seem to be having technical difficulties...) The restaurant opens next Saturday, April 26.

The food's a lot of fun, and I can't really pigeonhole it. Thankfully they seem to be steering clear of calling it fusion, but it really is an intriguing combination of flavors. I enjoyed the "relish signature chorizo and medjool dates wrapped in smoked bacon and garnished with grilled red pepper sauce" ($9.50) - and I don't even like red peppers. Nor do I normally eat dates. Ditto the "balls of Italian sausage mix tossed with roasted red pepper tomato sauce and topped with baked croutons and fresh parmesan cheese" ($9.75).

The "stuffed breast of chicken with asparagus, mozzarella, fresh herbs and prosciutto served over the house beurre blanc" ($14.50) was light, delicate and easy to eat more of. And I haven't seen a dessert menu (they weren't serving any last weekend), but I'd be interested to see what's in store beyond the fresh fruit and local farmers goat cheese listed on the small plates dinner menu.

Some other interesting dinner menu listings:

LARGE PLATES
wasabi rubbed petite filet mignon... $16.25
signature baby back ribs w/ bbq sauce, fried tortillas and micro greens, $12.50
wild mushrooms and bay scallops infused w/ fresh herbs and butter $14

SMALL PLATES
Asian spicy shrimp fried w/ mae ploy $8.50
tuna tartar w/ crostinis $9.25
humus du jour $3.25
smoked salmon w/ capers, bermuda onions, butter lettuce, truffle oil $12.25

Relish is housed a cool space (check out the photos), which is pretty decent considering the strip mall location. It's behind the main part of the towne center, and just across the street from Regal Cinemas, which seems like a smart move. There are two distinct dining areas inside, as well as a chef's table (it's a booth that could seat up to five or six people) that looks directly into the kitchen (but is separated by a glass wall) and a cool bar area in the back, with three tall communal tables that run diagonally through the space. Yes, it's a fun spot for drinks too.

I'm excited that there will be another non-chain spot in the area. (My other nearby standbys include Sichuan Bistro and well, that's about it - otherwise you're up to Pitrelli's in Mason or The Works in Loveland).