2.14.2007

WE LIKE TO BE EARLY



We've had several experiences with valentines day in NYC and I'll be honest - it's horrible. Even the best restaurants feel compelled to put together some cheesy spread and an abbreviated menu. Everyone does a prix fixe and without fail, there's always something heart shaped. Ravoli. Meat. Whatever. It's all just heart-shaped trash.

So rather than pay too much to be let down, this year we decided to take matters into our own hands and do this thing the day before. No crowds. No silly menus. No overpriced, heart-shaped wellington.

We knew it would be a great spot, but when it started sleeting last night and we realized we only needed to walk a block to this cozy little spot on 4th street, it instantly got even better. It was exactly what we wanted in a romantic restaurant. Cozy. Warm. Quiet.

And the food. Oh boy.

They do a chef's choice tasting menu that features three starters, two mains and a dessert for a very affordable price. We pretty much knew ahead of time we'd go in that direction. But once we were there and saw the very professional looking kitchen, we were sold.

Starter #1
- octopus with baby arugula in a lemongrass, coriander and ginger broth

Starter #2
- cured salmon with pickled radish, wasabi crème fraîche, baby pear and seaweed salad

Starter #3
- seared foie gras with barbeque eel and a passion fruit and miso glaze with saffron poached pineapple

Main #1
- skate stuffed with bamboo steamed crab, apple, micro green salad and Thai green curry sauce

Main #2
- medium rare venison with a host of sauces including a pear rosemary puree, olive tapanade, chestnut paste and others

Dessert was a warm chocolate cake with chocolate sauce and a very strange raspberry and guinness cocktail. I liked the cocktail very much and Miss Meena did not.

I think you can pretty much predict what I'm going to say here. The food was amazing. Small bites with tons of wonderful flavors. This is totally my kind of meal. Meena wasn't a fan of the ginger or olives, but everything else was to her liking. She really liked the venison. And although she's not very happy about it, she's now a fan of foie gras. She's decided it's a once a year thing. But a fan she has become.

So it was a wonderful, romantic pre-valentines day valentines day. Without hesitation, I'd recommend this spot to anyone.

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