June 2014 – The Walman Report

Da Marcella Mediterranean Taverna

ADDRESS: 11 West

51st Street

(Between Fifth Avenue & Rockefeller Plaza)

New York, NY 10019

WEB SITE: www.DaMarcella.com

TELEPHONE: (917) 639-3911

HOURS: Lunch/Dinner: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM, Mon.-Thurs.

11:30 AM – 11:00 PM, Fri.

Dinner: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM, Sat.

4:00 PM – 10:30 PM, Sun.

Happy Hour: 4:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Mon.-Fri.

(Italian small plates and ½-price on select Italian wines

by the glass)

CUISINE: Homestyle Italian with Spanish flair

CREDIT CARDS: All major

PRICE RANGE: Dinner (Entrees): $16.00 – $28.00

DRESS: Casual

RESERVATIONS: Highly Recommended

SEATING CAPACITY: 120

NUMBER OF ROOMS: One

PARTY FACILITIES: Available upon request

BAR: Full-service sit-down bar. .

EXECUTIVE CHEF: Francesco Mueses

WINE DIRECTOR : Ernesto Lago

OWNER: Manuel Moreno

OPENING DATE: November, 2013

(The first Da Marcella Taverna opened in the West

Village in July 2012 to great acclaim.)

Da Marcella Mediterranean Taverna offers Homestyle Italian with Spanish flair. Restaurateur Manuel Moreno and Executive Chef Francesco Mueses prepare an impressive selection of rustic home-style Italian dishes, most of them from original family recipes. In addition, they recently introduced several classic Spanish dishes paying homage to their Spanish/Italian heritage.

Start with a selection from the bar-tapas menu, including delicious ham croquettes in a crunchy breading to enjoy with the excellent martinis and superb selection of Single Malts (many priced as low as $12), Don’t fail to sample the amazing appetizers. You could make a meal of The Chef’s Veal and Pork Meatballs in San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Mussels alla Marinara with Pinot Grigio wine and Garlic, and the outstanding Pulpo Marinado a la Catalana ( Spanish-style octopus), fork tender, yet with a good texture, and absolutely perfect Another must with Italian roots, is the divine Burrata Cheese (stuffed mozzarella with a buttery texture) and San Daniele Prosciutto kissed by Truffle Sauce Over terrific Crostone.

Then, Homemade Potato Gnocchi with Gulf Shrimp and Fresh Tomato or the Paella with its moist authenticity and heady seafood partners or one of the numerous pastas.

Entrees include Charred Grilled NY Steak, Caramelized Onions and Truffled Mashed Potatoes and a delicious Oven Roasted Whole Mediterranean Sea Bass with Garlic and Rosemary, a classic Pan Seared Calf’s Liver, with Butter, Sage and a tender Braised Short Rib of Beef, in Barolo with delicious Polenta. End with a really outstanding Tiramisú or a lush Creme Caramel, and Vanilla Gelato, Drowned in a Shot of Espresso.

Service is surprisingly helpful and friendly.

The custom-made 22-foot long oak bar features an impressive selection of global wines with a particular emphasis on regional Italian and Spanish wines. A variety of wines are available by the glass. In addition a premier choice of spirits, liquors, after-dinner drinks, dessert wines, Single Malt Scotch, and specialty cocktails are also available. The Lunch/Dinner and Happy Hour Menus are available at the bar. The sophisticated, romantic dining room is enhanced by a 14-foot high ceiling, rustic oak bar, custom-made pine communal tables, wood tables, dark blue high-back leather chairs, leather banquettes, tiled floors, mustard-colored walls, vintage Italian posters, and mood lighting to create a classic, turn-of-the-19th-century Mediterranean Taverna.

Hardly what you’d expect to find in this area, Da Marcella Mediterranean Taverna is a delightful neighborhood surprise and was packed with a happy crowd (many from the small hotel the restaurant adjoins). Not fancy, but good food and wine in an easygoing atmosphere at a fair price. Nothing wrong there. (A good choice for before or after theater).

Disclosure

Continue reading “Da Marcella Mediterranean Taverna, A Discovery in Midtown”

UNION BAR & KITCHEN

Cuisine: New American with Global Influences
Location: 300 Spring Street, near Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 646.755.9034
Website: www.ubknyc.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ubknyc
Twitter/Instagram: @ubknyc
Owner/Executive Chef/GM: Jonathan Renert
Chef de Cuisine: Gavin Citron (Arizona 206; Aja; Aleutia; Petrossian, NYC)
Manager: Brandon T. Jenson
Design: Jonathan Renert
Artwork: Clifford Bailey (www.cliffordbailey.com)
Seating Capacity: 64 total, including 10 at the bar
Reservations: Yes, OpenTable.com, CLICK HERE and by phone
Delivery/Take Out: Yes/Yes (in the near future)
Credit Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Hours of Service:
Monday – Thursday, 11:30am – 1am
Friday – Saturday, 11:30am – 2am
Sunday, 11:30am – 1am
Price Range:
Raw Bar/Appetizers: $7 – 17
Sandwiches/Salads: $10 – 18
Mains: $14 – 32 (Average $26)
Sides: $7
Dessert: $7 – 10
Lunch Special: $24
Kid’s Menu: $10 with choice of side
Cocktails: $12
Beer/Wine: $TBD/glass; $TBD/bottle
Specialties:
Hamachi Tartare $14
Panko Fried Oyster 3/$9
Rotisserie Chicken $24/half; $42/whole (with 2 sides)
Three Little Pigs $16
UBK Sirloin Burger $14
Branding:
Andrew Tupper, Kern + Lead
www.kernandlead.com

UBK offers 64 seats, including 10 at the bar, and features a lively, yet relaxed ambience with industrial accents, including refurbished woods and Edison light bulbs. Large windows that open to the street bring in natural light, and three fantastic original paintings by Clifford Bailey, which evoke the era of the roaring twenties, enhance the warm setting. Whether one is sitting at the bar, or at the industrial chic reclaimed wood communal table in the center of the room, they will be transported to a home away from home – a neighborhood place where they can relax over fine cooking.

For some reason, good downtown restaurants just don’t travel and UBK the perfect example of what to seek out for a fun, affordable and delectable night out or (if you live or work in the neighborhood a local haunt). There’s certainly nothing not to like about the unaffectedly stylish food, prepared with care and panache. Chef Renert along with his Chef de Cuisine Gavin Citron offers a menu that pleases all palates.

Guests may start with an excellent raw bar selection, such as a daily selection of Oysters with kimchee mignonette, horseradish cocktail sauce & red wine vinegar mignonette. Original appetizers include Hamachi Tartare with citrus soy dressing; delicious baked Cherrystone Clams with bacon and Chipotle Bernaise and amazing Panko Fried Oysters with chili infused Tonkatsu sauce, house made tartar and chives (absolutely the best in town); and lighter options include refreshing salads, such as traditional Caesar with baked wheat sourdough baguette; and Field Greens with aged Sherry and citrus vinaigrette. We also enjoyed a play on the traditional Greek chopped salad with the touch of fresh cilantro.

For the main course, UBK’s tantalizing dishes range from West Coast Cioppino in smokey tomato broth; to Hangar Steak in 24-hour house marinade; and Rotisserie Chicken ( available whole + 2 sides/$42), which may also be taken to go. UBK’s sides include Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs; and Cauliflower Gratin, pair nicely with the mains. Be sure to try the addictive ROSEMARY FRIES.

A separate bar menu features tasty items, such as Three Little Pigs, three unique preparations of pork belly sliders – a must order! For drinks, UBK offers signature cocktails such as the UBK Julep (Applejack, Antica Carpano Formula, cane sugar, mint); plus, excellent beers (especially an outstanding Belgium available on draught: “Delirium Tremens Pale Ale”) and an International wine list
Cocktails are expertly constructed and service is delightfully seamless and accommodating.

For those with a sweet tooth, Renert’s desserts include Ancho Chili Brownies and one-of-a-kind Peanut Crunch Chimichangas with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and are not to be missed. Nor is the superb cappuccino.

Wanna check out the newest hit in town? Here it is. You’re gonna like Union Bar & Kitchen!

Disclosure

Continue reading “UBK is 1 Month Old and a Roaring Success”