I am having my two weeks break between work and school in NYC and this is my first meal in New York. My cousin Ms. A described this place as a low key Michelin star restaurant. It is located in Brooklyn, which is my favorite borough. I haven't seen Ms. A in forever, and it is really nice to catch up with her, and meeting her Italian boyfriend for the very first time!
Cute little place with open kitchen. Not too crowded on a weekday. Could be a good option for a weekday date night.
Appetizers
Maitake Mushroom with Smoked Ricotta & Arugula on Toast
Scallop Carpaccio with Raddish and Lemon
Japanese Yams with Lemon Mayonnaise, Licorice & Pickled Fresno Peppers
Baby Red Kale with Smoked Ricotta, Pistachios & Balsamic
I really love the cook of the mushroom, and that was probably something I would order again given the chance. The kale salad was surprisingly good because kale is not an easy vegetable to cook well.
Main Course
Squid Ink Tagliatelle with Peekytoe Crab, Saffron, Lemon & Basil
Branzino with Roasted Cauliflower, Boquerones & Lemon
Swiss Chard Lasagna with Parmesan, Pine Nut & Castelveltrano Olive
All three main courses were great. But, the Swiss chard lasagna really stood out. It is actually a vegetarian dish and with no actual pasta in it. It is just layers of Swiss chard and cheese, and it tasted AMAZING. I have no idea how to describe this, but the texture, the taste and the cook, everything was perfect. I would come back to this restaurant just for this dish.
Dessert
Chocolate Cake with Pine Nuts & Rosemary
Lemon Custard with Husk Cherries & Semolina Cookies
Both desserts were slightly disappointing. It could very well just be me, but I think the chocolate cake tasted like a normal good chocolate cake (really lack the wow factor here), and for the the lemon custard with cherries, it has slightly too much acidity in that dessert that I don't quite like.
Overall, it's quite good. The Swiss Chard Lasagna definitely made this meal worth it, and I dare say this is one dish that you absolutely have to order if you dine in this restaurant. This dish might actually be worth a detour even it you are not necessarily in the area.