Location: 11 Times Square
Cuisine: Eclectic American and Sushi
Items: 1 Sushi Roll, 4 cocktails, 4 entrees, 1 dessert
Overall: A relaxed space far removed from the excited throng of tourists just outside. This is a great space for native New Yorkers to entertain out of town guests or visit before or after one of the fabulous shows in the area. It s also a great watering hole for tourists looking for an easy to get to dining experience that offers a break from the excitement of the city.
The first time I saw Urbo was in passing. Its unique glass outside beckoned me and the appearance of flickering flames just beyond its doors was an inviting image that left me curious about its wares. Located on one the busiest strips in Times Square the eatery somehow managed to gain and hold my attention and the exciting throng of tourists faded into the background. I needed to get in there, but it wasn’t open yet. The space was still under construction despite the interesting décor. Luckily the wait for the official opening was a short one and a few short weeks later I had the chance to experience the cuisine behind the flashy looks.
Urbo
My colleague and I were ushered to a table in the center of it all, flanked by the kitchens and in full view of the gorgeous space. We began our meal with a round of cocktails. I had a classic cosmo and my friend enjoyed a refreshing Moscow mule. We sipped our beverages while listening to our waiter explain the eclectic menu.
The menu is divided into four sections: Cold, Cooked, Comfort and Sushi. The first three categories are broken up into small plates and large plates, with the small plates highlighted in orange. For our dinner, we skipped the small plates and dove right into a rainbow roll from the sushi menu. The rainbow roll is one of the chef’s specialties, it is made up of a California roll wrapped with Tuna, Fluke and Salmon. The roll was as tasty as it was beautiful.
Next we went with the pulled pork sandwich. The tender pulled pork is covered in a tangy sweet barbecue sauce and served on a soft roll with homemade chips, slaw and a pickle. The chips were by far the thinnest and crispiest we have had thus far, and a perfect pairing for the decadent sandwich. The pork was tender and slow roasted for melt in your mouth goodness.
Next we tried the chicken. The Wayne Farms chicken is flavorful and juicy, served with a light panzanella salad. A panzanella salad is a mixture of bread, and vegetables with vinegar and olive oil, its like a lighter version of a traditional stuffing.
We also tried the steamed halibut. The firm tender fish is served with carrot jus, leek fondue and a generous helping of aromatic herbs. The fish was superb and expertly prepared.
In between courses we enjoyed another cocktail, a Disarrono Sour. My companion is an expert on this beverage and was all smiles at its perfection. The citrus based cocktail was topped with a delicious frothy ring of egg whites. According to my companion it is the very best way to have this beverage. I can’t confirm or deny that claim but I can say it was my favorite cocktail of the evening, simply delicious.
For our last entrée we had to have the hanger steak. The marinated beef is rubbed with the chef’s special rub and presented with sunchoke and sunflower shoots. A sunchoke or Jerusalem artichoke is a fascinating plant that offers a healthier alternative to starchy potatoes. The chokes are surprisingly flavorful and have a texture similar to roasted potatoes. The star of the dish, the succulent steak is presented cubed and artfully placed around the plate. The meat is served medium rare for maximum flavor and tenderness.
We finished our meal with a dessert moscato and an amazing tangerine berry cobbler. The berries and tangerine offered a tart acidic balance tot he warm sweet crust. The cobbler is served with a generous dollop of whipped cream for a flawless finish.
Urbo is a unique culinary experience. Its modern décor and subtlety is a nuance not often experienced in the neon jungle of times square. Despite being in the heart of one of the most walked sidewalks in all of New York, Urbo offers a relaxed dining experience, where diners can enjoy well prepared food without pretense and immaculate service that differs greatly from many of the themed restaurants in the area. The staff is polite, knowledgeable and friendly but never in the pushy give me a tip way, in the genuinely we aim to please way. Theater goers will enjoy the proximity to the major Broadway shows and other attractions. If you don’t have the time for a full dinner you can always visit the bar on the second level for small bites and premium cocktails. The bar also features an amazing aerial view of historical Times Square. As a native New Yorker I can tell you from a safe window stories high is the best way to view the area. Thank goodness for spaces like Urbo, an oasis away from the insanity offering good food and friendly service for the over stimulated masses.
Visit http://urbonyc.com for more information.
1 comment
[…] we found our friends from URBO, a midtown eatery we reviewed a few months ago. They were serving up mini oreos with smoked bacon […]
Comments are closed.