Location: 135 West 45th Street
Cuisine: American
Best Dish: The wings were splendid and the mac and cheese was to die for, but the bread pudding was the star of the evening. It was butter and rich without being cloyingly sweet.
Overall: Both the restaurant and the bar are comfortable relaxing spaces. The restaurant is perfect for the whole family but the bar is an impressive space for date night or an evening with friends.
Times
We started as usual with a round of cocktails. We planned to visit the rooftop bar later in the evening so we kept it simple. Ordered a “Llama Llama” a light citrus based cocktail and my companion wanted something with a stronger bite and went with a delicious bourbon cocktail.
After our cocktails we dug into our appetizers. We started with the chicken wings. The crispy wings are coated in a sweet and spicy yuzu sauce and served piping hot from the kitchen. The outer layer was crisp and the inside moist and juicy. Be careful these wings can be addictive. Though they have a little bit of heat they are not too spicy to enjoy.
Next we tried the burrata salad. The salad features watercress fresh apples dressed with a zesty aged balsamic vinaigrette. The salad is served with toasted bread which is a good vessel for scooping up the burrata cheese.
You can never go wrong with mac and cheese and T45 does it right. We enjoyed their creamy cheesy mac with a healthy add in of thick cut bacon. The dish arrives hot and oozing goey rich cheeses.
For our last appetizer we tried the rock shrimp. Typically I expect rock shrimp to be fried and served with a dipping sauce. Our helpful waitress made sure to inform us that T45 took another approach and the rock shrimp are sautéed in a light butter garlic sauce and served with crostini instead. I honestly did not miss the familiar preparation. The shrimp were well prepared and the light sauce is perfect for the warmer weather.
For our first entree we had the lamb loin. Lamb is a popular menu addition for the spring. The medium rare lamb is served with delicious spring carrots, pea tendrils and a savory harissa vinaigrette.
Fish is always a top choice for a lighter meal and this evening we went with the salmon. I am usually not a fan but this dish will make you a believer. The flesh was moist and tender but the skin was crisp and well-seasoned a match made in foodie heaven. The salmon is served on a bed of red quinoa and topped with kale pesto and pickled purple onions.
After such delicious entrees we saved just enough room for dessert and I’m glad we did. The White Chocolate bread pudding is outstanding. It arrived warm with fresh blueberries and creamy vanilla ice cream.
After dinner we ventured up to the 54th floor for a few cocktails. Rooftops in NYC are always in high demand during the warm season and B 54 is one of the highest in the city boasting a spectacular unique view of the city below. On a clear night you can see from the Hudson River to the East river via the expansive outdoor lounge. Unfortunately rain was in the forecast so we had our cocktails inside. The cocktails here aren’t simple juice and spirit blends they were crafted by world renowned mixologist Julie Reiner. The drinks all feature unique ingredients and are categorized into groups to assist in choosing the right one to suit your tastebuds. I chose a tropical beverage that is also one of the newer seasonal offerings the electric swizzle a tasty blend of Yaguara, Strega, Kafir Lime, Orange Juice, and Peychaud Bitters.
My companion chose the “Southern Iced Tea” an interesting mix of coconut, rum and cayenne pepper. Though the drinks appeared similar in presentation their flavor profiles were miles apart. While my drink was fruity and sweet his had a peppery quality. I was surprised by the addition of cayenne but it absolutely works. The cayenne provides a light heat at the end, a good balance for the sweet coconut.
If you happen to wander into Times Square for a show, a movie or just because feel free to drop by T45 and enjoy a meal of elevated diner favorites with a gourmet twist. For an impressive night out with cocktails and small plates head up to B 54. You will marvel at the spectacular view but it only pales in comparison to the dazzling cocktails and plush surroundings. Be warned the rooftop is open to the public but it is also closely monitored to prevent crowding. To book a table visit www.timessquare.hyatt.com and make your reservations today.