Location: 157 Bleeker Street
Cuisine: Italian American Wine Bar/Gastropub
Best Dish: One of the best lamb burgers in the city! You should also try the Fire Grilled Rosemary Wings, simply divine.
Items: 2 appetizers, 1 pasta dish, 1 burger, 1 entrée, 2 cocktails
Overall: A quaint Gastropb with soft ambient light and a warm inviting atmosphere.
Carroll Place is an intimate dining space and performance space with a history as rich and diverse as its menu. Many years ago the section of Bleeker Street between Thompson Street and LaGuardia Place was known as Carroll Place. The section was developed by Thomas E. Davis as an affluent area and named after Charles Carroll, who was the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence back in the 1830s. Over the years many things have changed in the area including the space which is now Carroll Place the gastropub. To reflect part of its heritage the space repurposed some of the old wood and memorabilia including photos and uses them to decorate the space adding some charm and character to the warm inviting eatery.
The atmosphere is light and friendly with happy hostesses and helpful servers who greet each patron like an old friend. We started our evening with a round of cocktails. As a wine bar, the space is home to several beverage options including locally brewed beers and ales as well as an extensive wine list.
The space also has a selection of specialty cocktails. I sampled the “Dark and Private”, a refreshing and surprisingly strong run cocktail. My companion opted for a specialty Daiquiri topped with creamy egg whites.
For our first course, we ordered the famed rosemary wings and the salt and pepper ribs. The wings are one of the most popular items on the menu and as we discovered it’s for a very good reason, these wings are addictive. They are flavorful, savory, and juicy, everything you want in a wing. The wings arrive smoking hot on a wood plank, a nod to its fire-grilled goodness.
The salt and pepper ribs are an equally delicious treat. The simple pairing of salt and fresh pepper is surprisingly robust. The peppery ribs fall off the bone tender and are a satisfying starter.
Next up was a pasta course. We wanted the signature pasta in clam sauce but on our visit, the clams had been substituted with shrimp. The chef only serves the freshest seafood so we certainly didn’t mind.
My companion and I are both big meat eaters so we couldn’t pass up the chance to have yet another burger. I honestly don’t think anyone with taste buds could get tired of burgers. At Carroll Place, the burgers don’t have traditional buns. Instead, the moist delicious patties are served on toasted focaccia bread (best idea ever!). The thin bread allows for a better appreciation of the toppings and meat. We ordered the lamb burger and it was exquisite. The well-seasoned patty and sharp feta combined for a delightful pairing of flavors and textures.
Our last course was a meat lover’s dream, the short rib. As food lovers, we never pass up a good burger or short rib. Though these are restaurant staples each chef provides a different take. At Carroll Place, the short rib arrives on a bed of creamy delicious polenta.
The meat as expected was tender enough to be pulled apart with the fork. The savory au jus offered even more succulent juiciness. The polenta offered a nice reprieve from the usual mashed or roasted potatoes and was a rich and decadent treat.
Though other engagements forced us to leave the venue before the live band arrived we were delighted with our visit and will surely drop by again soon. The food and friendly atmosphere make this one of the nicest spaces for a meal and a show. If the entertainment is half as good as the wings we are sure this pace will become one of Greenwich’s favorite neighborhood haunts. For more info please visit www.carrollplacenyc.com