Joey S.
Yelp
I ate inside at the bar, I love how cozy it is, the decor, the bookshelf hidden door to the bathroom; the intimacy is palpable.
the service was phenomenal, my bartender had great recommendations for drinks and plates, even managed to give perfect timing between courses. he did stunningly.
the food is an absolute stand out. I had 2 tapas, 2 cocktails, and the $60 Dinner Pre-Fixe Restaurant week menu.
tapas: steak tartare and foie gras lollipops. the steak tartare was absolutely as you expect, soft and creamy meat, the seasoning was peppery, the radish slices and micro greens add good crunch and flavor, the only chance I'd make is to toast the bread.
Foie Gras lollipops were the stand out hero of the night. the balsamic glaze had me licking the plate, the edible flowers were the perfect sour bite to counterbalance the fat of the pate, the microgreens were a great touch, the foie gras itself was delicious and characteristic, with a seared on glaze that added a great flavor and texture. real depth of umami, and didn't feel heavy somehow. you've gotta get this here before New York outlaws it.
Drinks: I had the summer daiquiri and the Excuse My Tie (mai tai). the daiquiri was refreshing and delicious, among the better ones I've had. mai tai was tasty, but I've had better.
pre fix
the frog legs were really fun, and they don't skimp on the herbaceous garlic butter, which is so full of garlic and herbs that it looks like chimichurri. delicious, but be ready to get your hands and face dirty chasing down the meat between the bones. choking hazard for sure, and you can't pretend to be fancy, but absolutely delicious. (they do taste like chicken, wings come to mind)
the duck confit dish reminds me of a freestanding shepherds pie. the crispy potatoes and the pungent smell of truffle is alluring and exciting, and the taste permeates the dish. I can only be mad about the ratio of potato to meat, but I know meat is expensive these days.
the chocolate lava cake is a good send off, well executed, and I love strawberry. this was the only dish I had that was plainly conventional, so I won't say much about it.
I was out in an hour as a solo diner, had all of that for 160 plus tip. great special occasion place, highly recommend, get the foie gras or else.