Mar 28 2008
Restaurant Type: American
Our Rating: 9
Food: 9 • Service: 9 • Décor: 9 • Atmosphere: 9 • Price: 9 ($12 – $43)
We went to BLT Market for the lunch and were very impressed about this new restaurant. It’s located at 1430 Sixth Ave., (between 58th & 59th St.) Telephone: 212-521-6125
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Mar 01 2008
Restaurant Type: American
Our Rating: 9
Food: 10 • Service: 9 • Décor: 8 • Atmosphere: 9 • Price: 9 ($31 – $50)
Union Square Cafe is one of my all-time favorites. Located in downtown Manhattan (21 East 16th St., NY) and named after the near-by historic intersection in New York City, Union Square Café is perfect for those who enjoy food and don’t mind spending the extra dime for a scrumptious experience. Interested? Not sure yet? Read on, but take heed and make a reservation well in advance if you’re ready to take the gourmet plunge (tel. 212-243-4020).
This established restaurant with new-American cuisine is one of Danny Meyer’s creations, featuring seasonal variations in their lunch and dinner menus and an outstanding selection of wines. Food is the main attraction, with décor being secondary. The atmosphere is somewhat cozy with a casual artistic flair. The wall murals are interesting, but not really what you would expect at a restaurant of this ilk. However, they definitely sparked a conversation during my recent visit. Service is good as well. I didn’t know this at the time, but they appear to be extremely sensitive to cell phone usage. Beware, but don’t panic; they didn’t freak out over my transgression.
During my recent visit, I enjoyed seared yellowfin tuna tartare with pantelleria capers, lemon, celery, fine Sicilian olive oil and a spicy fennel cracker. My partner savoured the beef sirloin carpaccio with crispy artichokes, rocket and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. It was wonderful. For our entrees, we feasted on grilled marinated filet mignon of tuna with gingered vegetables and wasabi-mashed potatoes and a grilled dry-aged, rib-eye steak with smashed and fried yukon gold potatoes and red wine glazed cipollini onions. For side dishes, they let us try two specialties—a 50/50 split—for the price of one veggie. We sampled the sautéed broccoli rabe “Mama Romano Style” and sautéed spinach with lemon and extra-virgin olive oil. While both were delicious, I preferred the latter.
All of the food was excellent and we look forward to going back. My only disappointment is they did not have the gnocchi with truffles. Overall, there is a good reason this is considered to be one of NYC’s best restaurants.
