One of life’s greatest gifts is menu tasting. it is the opportunity to taste the very best dishes on a restaurant’s menu. We had the grand opportunity to attend such an event just one short week ago. My favorite dinner companion and I along with journalists from various media outlets gathered at Midtown Manhattan’s Empire Steak House to sample an assortment of tasty treats.
Location: 19 Kenmare Street
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Items: 1 raw bar item, 1 meat and cheese platter, 4 Entrees, 3 Cocktails, 2 Hard Ciders
Cost: 167.00 (Before Tipping and after-tax)
Best Dish: For true meat lovers the lamb shank is a must! The meat is tender and flavorful. If you desire something less cave man-esque go for the scallops, the light fresh sauce is amazing!
Overall: A small living space with friendly energetic staff and great food. The space is pretty tight so you like a lot of space between you and your neighbor visit during off-peak hours. We went at around 7 on a Wednesday and the venue was almost at capacity.
Location: 209 Pinehurst Ave New York, NY
Cuisine: Modern Americana
Items: 1 Snack, 1 Share Plate, 2 Entrees, 1 Dessert, 2 cocktails
Best Dish: The steak frites is amazing If you are a meat lover this is the dish you simply must have. The think chunks of beef are well seasoned and melt in your mouth tender. We also hope the peach fritters remain part of the menu it is one of the best desserts we have had thus far.
Overall: A warm inviting space with friendly knowledgeable staff and delicious food, well worth the journey to the Heights.
Sometimes to find the best meal you have to veer off the beaten path. Upper Manhattan aka Washington Heights is home to one of NYC’s most delicious culinary experiences. The Rusty Mackerel is a small intimate eatery located just a few minutes from the Cloisters Museum. What the venue lacks in space it makes up for in charm and hospitality. We ventures into the evening in a cool Tuesday evening. The exposed brick and communal table are indicative of the relaxed friendly atmosphere achieved by the chef and staff. The kitchen is located in the back of the space visible to all the diners. The overall feel is that of someone’s living room. We took our seats by the window and watched the few passersby. Since its opening the venue has become a favorite among the local residents who often drop in just to say hello. We started our meal with a round if cocktails. Though they do have a liquor license they don’t have a proper bar to mix drinks as a result you can expect some of the drinks to arrive in a mini decanter or can for consumption. I ordered one of their DIY cocktails, I had a Pellegrino orange soda with rum. The soda arrived in a can and the rum in a little glass bottle. I was also given a glass of ice to go along with my beverage. Some may find this daunting but i found it charming. I love the idea if making my drink as strong or as mild as i wanted.
While I was playing mixologist our first course arrived. We started dinner with the cod croquettes. These tasty deep-fried orbs are made of tender. Bits of cod and potato for a rich creamy center.
For our next course we went with the Octopus Bravas. This is a Spanish inspired dish made up of poached then grilled octopus with sea salt baby potatoes and a savory romesco. There is something magical about the way octopus tentacles char, the smoky briny flavor is one of our favorites and Chef Mac makes some awesome octopus. It was tender but slightly charred with the smokiness we can’t resist.
After the appetizers we dove right into our entrees. Our first entree was the roasted chicken. Ordinarily we stray from such a simple dish but after conferring with our server we had to see what the fuss was about. It was one of the best roast chickens we have had. The skin was flavorful and crispy and the meat tender and juicy. The organic chicken is served with roasted sweet potatoes coated in a light maple emulsion and savory green harissa.
Our second shared entree was the steak frites. Steak frites is typically steak and fries, a very easy dish, Chef Mac takes the steakhouse favorite to new heights with yucca fries and 3 types of onions: grilled, poached and pickled. The presentation is masterful and the taste is exquisite. The meat was firm but melt in your mouth tender. The onions and light béarnaise sauce added a depth of flavor that must be experienced.
Rusty Mackerel recently added dessert to its sumptuous menu. The sweet treats are so new that they aren’t even on an actual menu. On the night we visited we were treated to peach fritters with concord grape compote and mascarpone ice cream. The fritters were light and airy filled with bits of fresh peaches and coated in lightly sweet cinnamon sugar. This dessert was the perfect end to a delicious meal.
The Rusty Mackerel is a fun casual relaxed eatery where food is celebrated and service is impeccable. It is the type of space that is worth the trip uptown. Sometimes the best experiences come from the most unlikely places. If you happen to fin yourself wandering around Washington heights feel free to drop on in. Don’t be thrown off by its size, some of life’s biggest thrills arrive in the smallest packages.
Location: 205 West 43rd Street
Cuisine: Japanese
Items: 4 appetizers, 1 sushi entree, 2 hot entrees, 5 cocktails
Cost: Menu items range from $3 (select sushi rolls) to $60 (a large sushi sashimi entree for two).
Best Dish: One of the best dishes was the crispy duck. It was light and flavorful with a deliciously crispy skin.
Overall: A beautiful yet casual space with an attentive, courteous staff and great food. The perfect happy hour or dinner space.
Location: 47 west 39th street
Cuisine: Refined Northern Italian
Items: 2 Appetizers, 1 pasta, 2 entrees, 1 Dessert, 3 cocktails
Location: 32 East 21st street btw Broadway and Park
Cuisine: American Fine Dining
Items: 2 Appetizers, 3 Entrees, 4 Cocktails, 2 desserts
Best Dish: As starters go you cannot go wrong with the stuffed peppers or the fig toast Both options are absolutely amazing. Each has unique savory and sweet components that will make your mouth water. For an entree, you must try the short ribs. The portion is just enough to be filling without feeling overstuffed. The meat is flavorful and cooked to perfection, it is a must-have.
Overall: A surprisingly relaxed, inviting space filled with helpful happy employees. This could quickly become your favorite date night or happy hour space.
Location: 757 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NY
Cuisine: Caribbean
Items: 3 cocktails, 2 Appetizers, 2 Entrees, 1 dessert
Best Dish: The fish tacos are absolutely amazing! It is an all in one dish that you will enjoy and feel good about. It isn’t heavy or greasy and has just a little bit of spice. The fresh veggies add to the nutritional value and give a nice bit of crunch. The oxtails are also highly recommended. These bits of beefy goodness are braised beautifully, tender and flavorful, simply divine!
Overall: Great food, good atmosphere and a amazing service this is one spot you won’t regret entering. Visit with friends of the family and prepare for greatness.
Location: 207 West 36th Street
Cuisine: Traditional American
Items: 2 cocktails, 4 appetizers, 3 entrees, 2 side dishes, 2 desserts
Best Dish: You must have the steak at Delmonico’s. If you are a meat lover this is the place to indulge it is by far one of the very best in the city. If seafood is more your thing you cannot go wrong with the Lobster Newberg, it is one of the most decadent dishes I have covered so far and absolutely beautiful down to the very last morsel.