Alison C.
Yelp
4.5*s
I chose The Mary Lane as the destination for my work team's holiday dinner, and it wound up being perfect for our small group of foodies. The cozy restaurant was tucked away on a quiet corner of the West Village, but inside, the restaurant was abuzz with enthusiastic diners. I was the first member of our group of three to arrive, but the host was willing to seat me while I waited. I was escorted to a table along the back wall, which provided a prime view of the dining room and the front door, allowing me to quickly spot my colleagues.
The others soon arrived, and we quickly ordered drinks from our efficient, yet quiet, server. I opted for the Purple Reign, which included tequila, grapes, agave, Morita chile, and lemon. The bright magenta cocktail was like a boozy, less sugary grape juice. I did not pick up on even a hint of spice from the chile, however, but I liked the drink regardless.
Like the beverage list, the food menu was packed with autumnal flavors and was also very focused on market-fresh vegetables. As a case-in-point, my Heirloom Confit Winter Squash appetizer screamed Fall. Slices of the squash were plated over a puree of the same vegetable. A kohlrabi and mustard seed relish topped the gourd pieces, while candied pine nuts and a reduced balsamic were also sprinkled over it all. Each element of the dish was delicate, flavorful, and really just sheer perfection. My Hudson Valley Steelhead Trout was similarly amazing. The sautéed, local fish resembled a milder salmon and was cooked to perfection with crunchy skin. It was served over a warm salad of charred rainbow cauliflower, confit fennel, and roasted Mutsu apples. In addition to our main dishes, we shared one of each of their side dishes. The spiced French Fries were thin, crispy, and served with a chipotle aioli dipping sauce. The tangy, Sweet-Stem Cauliflower was very interesting in that each floret was attached to an extremely long stem, making it similar to a broccoli rabe of the cauliflower world. The vegetable had been marinated in a fermented soy vinaigrette and fresh herbs. The large, sautéed Brussels had been cut into halves and were tossed with poached pears, delicata squash, and sage, making them another spot-on addition to our seasonal meal. Finally, the Rainbow Carrots were roasted in za'atar spices, sprinkled with fried chickpeas, and served over an urfa chili yogurt. Lastly, we each indulged in our own desserts, and I selected the Milk Chocolate Molten Cake; its richness paired so well with the accompanying caramel gelato.
We all loved our meal at The Mary Lane, and I certainly got some praise for finding such a delicious, cozy space to celebrate our year's worth of corporate accomplishments!