Latitude 39 lives up to four-star hype
By Jill Mapes, Staff Writer
May 19, 2007 | 11:05 a.m.
Like a hidden treasure tucked away in the corner of Baker University Center, Ohio University's four-star restaurant Latitude 39 is worth the steep prices. It doesn't necessarily offer a wide variety, but what Latitude 39 does offer is perfectly crafted food.
Overall rating: 3.8 stars (out of 5 stars)
The fine dining restaurant Latitude 39 proves to be the place to splurge on or near Ohio University's campus. With its intricate combinations of fresh vegetables, homemade pastas and well-cooked meats, Latitude 39's gourmet entrees are just the tip of the cuisine iceberg, considering their mind-blowing desserts take the cake.
Menu selection: 3.5 stars
Although Latitude 39 offers only eleven entrées, the idea of a downsized menu of exquisite dishes is often the norm at many upscale restaurants. The menu may seem to offer a diverse variety of meat entrées in addition to their three vegetarian entrées, but there is only about one dish offered for each type of meat. Nevertheless, pork, lamb, duck, beef, chicken, seafood -- they're all covered at Latitude 39.
Latitude 39 is by no means an Italian eatery, but there is a decent selection of pasta dishes. The Grilled Chicken and Fresh Spinach Carbonara, which is an affordable and savory linguine-based dish, is the most popular entrée at the restaurant.
What can be expected at Latitude 39 are innovative dishes that incorporate recurring ingredients, such as parmigiano cheese, pancetta and toasted walnuts. Latitude 39 has a knack for changing classic recipes by incorporating different or additional ingredients. The restaurant's chefs do this with everything from roasted chicken and ravioli to crème brulee (chocolate or raspberry brulee, anyone?) and butter. Yes, butter –- Latitude 39's butter is exquisitely seasoned with parsley and garlic.
Latitude 39 compensates for its lack of entrée diversity with its impressive dessert menu, which changes weekly. Latitude 39 also dedicates two whole pages of its menu to a wine list.
Price: 3 stars
Come on –- Latitude 39 is a four-star restaurant, so of course it won't be as affordable as the value menu at Wendy's. The menu's prices can be intimidating at first, with the $30 steak staring patrons straight in the eyes. Get past the ridiculously expensive and high-end meat entrées, though, and there are some reasonably priced dishes. A three-course Latitude 39 meal, including bread, salad and dessert, can cost just under $15 or upwards of $35 –- it simply depends on the palette and wallet of each patron.
Eating at Latitude 39 is probably out of the question for those Ohio University students who have already spent all of their complimentary Dining Dollars or don't have a meal plan, but those lucky few who have Dining Dollars left should seriously consider giving this restaurant a try. Simply dining at a restaurant as upscale as Latitude 39 can prove to be a fun experience in itself, which is something that poor college students should consider when weighing their cuisine options and Dining Dollar allocation. Stop by for a to-die-for dessert like the Candy Bar Cheesecake or order the smaller (and more affordable) portions of Latitude 39's pasta dishes, which are all under $10.
Food quality: 4.5 stars
With the average meal costing about $14, the quality of Latitude 39's food is expected to be above average. In comparison to many chain restaurants whose prices are similar, the food quality at Latitude 39 is impressive. Patrons could pay the same price for a sloppy plate of lasagna at the Olive Garden as they would for a perfectly manicured presentation of roasted chicken over herb-crusted potatoes and greens with toasted walnuts at Latitude 39.
Overall, the food tastes like it should -- as if it came from a four-star restaurant. Although the food at Baker Center's food court, West 82, tastes a bit too reminiscent of dining hall food, Latitude 39 is able to clearly separate its food from this stigma. The food is served hot, right down to the complimentary toasted white and wheat baguettes.
The portions at Latitude 39 are not excessive but are not too spare either, considering salads accompany all entrées. Smaller portions are offered on pasta dishes, which is an amount that proves to be just about enough food for the average patron. The only portion that proves a bit too small is that of the crème brulee, a specialty at Latitude 39.
Service: 4 stars
The service at Latitude 39 is prompt and cordial; however, the restaurant is hidden in the bottom floor of the Baker University Center and seems virtually empty most days of the week. After all, it is not exactly difficult for a restaurant's staff to be quick and efficient when there is only one table of patrons at any given time.
Regardless of the capacity of Latitude 39, the servers are accommodating and quick to refill that water glass. The only thing that seems to slack slightly is the kitchen staff, for it takes some time for the food to be prepared.
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Complete with light jazz music playing in the background and menus that look and feel like steel-covered high school yearbooks, the initial impression of Latitude 39's atmosphere is one that embodies a 'fancy schmancy' attitude.
The restaurant is elegantly decorated in an understated manner, with pieces of modern art strategically splashed upon the walls. Candles and fresh flowers can be found as table centerpieces, which only add to the peacefully posh mood of Latitude 39. This atmosphere, however, can prove slightly stuffy at times. Be warned: this is not the place to take rowdy friends who do not know how to differentiate between a salad fork and a dinner fork.