Week in Reviews

Casey Thompson is "a talent to watch," says Bauer of his time at Aveline, where crab macarons "showcase her inventiveness" and fried chicken is "noteworthy." But he hates pretty much everything else about the restaurant, including "surroundings and amateurish service [that] don't justify the price," and multiple desserts "so unbalanced, it seemed as if no one had tasted" them. "It's clear that Thompson is a good chef — and she could be great — but Aveline isn't where she shines." Two stars. [Chron]