Jim F.
Yelp
I am upset. I met the chef and let him know that I was upset. Why had they not let me know, personally, that they were this good before tonight?! I leave for NY in two days, and after 33 years living in Santa Fe I find this place days before I leave?!? Tragic.
The ambiance is Santa Fe downtown, what you expect for a restaurant crammed into the expensive location location location near the Plaza. Cozy, busy enough on a Saturday night. How I found myself at the bar this night is a story on its own, but for simplicity I heard about it from a guy sitting next to me at another place the night before. "Best Manhattan!" he exclaimed. Well well, I thought, hunt on. Restaurants come and go on Marcy Street, and I had not frequented this one nor even really heard of it prior. With my departure looming (days!) I thought I could not let a recommendation on a bourbon spirit lapse, so I booked a seat right then for the next night. 18:15, or 6:15 PM for those averse to a 24 hour nomenclature. Saturday night. Tonight.
If you have not eaten here, stop what you are doing. Grab your keys. Comb your hair. Put it in D and find a place to park.
Manhattan to start, and was fine. I'm a bourbon snob of sorts, but I ordered two so, there. But the food. O. M. G. Becky.
First was the Miso Roasted Veggies: Zucchini, mushroom, eggplant, mint, basil pesto, piñon vinaigrette. I almost cried. Next up was the Pork Belly Yakitori: Togarashi-orange glaze, forbidden rice salad, pickled ginger aioli. I let it loose and wept tears of satiation. Both were so good I had to order one more thing. Tuna Tartare: raw sushi grade yellow fin tuna, black pepper risotto cake, warm anchovy butter.
I was peeved. Food this incredible, at an amazing price, and I am leaving??? How dare they. Withdrawals are inevitable.
If you have not been, go. This could have easily been double the price but each of these items were under $18, the veggies clocking in at only $12. I was satiated, and very happy. This is a fantastic eatery, if you are not already driving there as you read this then I don't know what to say. Just... go already!