Ellington

Description

After two decades of pleasing Ladies Who Lunch and an amiable mix of other dining demographics, Trio's executive chef and co-owner Capi Peck and her kitchen crew still purvey a few dishes with a pedigree dating all the way back to the landmark former Sam Peck Hotel run by her grandfather and father from 1935 to 1972.
Those heritage items include the ever-reliable Peck's Special Salad, changed from a half-century ago only by the replacement of iceberg lettuce with more flavorful romaine and leaf lettuces. They include the seasonal Strawberry Shortcake, as well as the Chicken and Dumplings that return each Thursday when winter looms.
Trio's legion of regular customers takes comfort in the cozy familiarity of such perennials, along with less venerable tried-and-true staples as Mediterranean Salsa, Voodoo Pasta, Thai-Style Shrimp Curry and Chicken or Shrimp Enchiladas.
They also appreciate the ample spacing of tables at the Pavilion in the Park setting and the unobtrusive decor spiced with dashes of whimsy such as the petite deer antlers that garnish a sconce on the front wall. And they welcome the wide range of menu pricing, from near-bargain to semiextravagant - including a three-course meal each Monday at a $23 fixed price. Their loyal patronage explains our 20-minute wait for a table at 6:30 p.m. on a week Wednesday.
At the same time, Peck keeps her menus fresh and intriguing with an infusion of monthly and daily specials, posted on one of the most informative local restaurant Web sites. A week ago Wednesday, the tempting dinner specials were Pork Quesadilla Toluca, Rack of Lamb With Mint Pesto, Chicken Santorini and Mushroom Mantra.