Johnny N.
Yelp
I'm a deeply layered human being. I love the run down mom and pop no frills restaurant ran with pure soul & grit, but every now and then, I love a white table clothed beautifully curated environment that charges $30 for a burger with no fries and makes me feel like I'm James Bond. Can't a guy enjoy both?
I needed a day off of my beloved rotisserie chicken and my lady just moved to the Upper East Side. Her Mom was in town helping her move, so we all headed to the newly opened Marlow East to celebrate.
We walked into an environment that made me question if I was underdressed in a brown long sleeved Theory polo and jet black Zara slacks, before we were seated at one of the high top tables.
We ordered the Tuna Crudo ($25), Lobster with green curry ($32), Halibut ($48), and the Burger ($32). I also got a Vesper because, again, I was feeling like a Casino Royale James Bond.
This Crudo... man. I don't even know where to start. Thick cuts of quality tuna in a light bed of black vinegar, it just changed me. I'd drink this black vinegar. I was savoring every bite, likely the best crudo I've had in my life.
I didn't think I was even going to like the Lobster with green curry, avocado, and mango because who puts those ingredients together? What even is that? But it was SPIRITUAL. What an innovation. I must take a moment to shoutout Braxton Decker, the Executive Chef here, because what an innovation. This damn near had me slow clapping.
The Burger and Halibut were phenomenal as well, but those appetizers truly blew us away.
When the bill slowly approached the table, my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card was covering his eyes awaiting the heavy smack in the face, but my gfs Mom ended up covering the whole thing. I even made 2 real attempts to pay because it's the right thing to do, but she ended up hitting me with a firm "ABSOLUTELY NOT." We live to fight another day.
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