BEST OF RESTAURANT WEEK

Here at FNYCRR, we hope you’re taking advantage of Restaurant Week. We sure are.  It’s the best opportunity try the food at the restaurants you would otherwise not be able to afford nor be allowed inside. The menu offerings are often completely different than the usual options, the staff treats you like a destitute tourist from Wyoming, and the portions are generally a quarter of the normal size, but that’s what makes it fun!

That being said, we focused on the higher-end offerings, since they seemed to be the best bang for our buck, and made our way to Rendezvous, Tompkins Tea House, Spring Fling on Madison, Manicotti, and the Lobby of the New Violet Hotel.

Best Service:

Tompkins Tea House - Since the Tea House is known for its hospitality, we had a feeling we’d get great service here and we were right. We were seated in less than 45 minutes (a 2 hour wait is typical on restaurant week, even with a reservation), and without asking, our server immediately brought out tap water for each of us. Our three courses were brought out promptly, and halfway through our desert course (Chocolate Ice Cream Cone with sprinkles), our server asked, “Are you done yet?” And before answering, our check was placed on the table and we were out the door before we knew it. This is the type of hospitality that will bring us back next year.

Best Entrée:

We were hoping to try Manicotti’s most famous entrée, wild salmon with roasted baby asparagus, truffle oil, and aged balsamic glaze, but it was not offered on the menu. Luckily, the Restaurant Week version was pretty darn good. Instead, we were served a farmed catfish with boiled lettuce, canola oil, and white vinegar. The original dish goes for $39, so who can complain about this tasty substitution when the entire three course dinner was $29 and included a side salad, an orange juice, and a popsicle?

Best Wine Deal:

For lunch, Spring Fling on Madison offered a glass of chardonnay from a small list for an additional $14—a good deal and the perfect amount of wine for those who have to return to work after the meal. For dinner, Rendezvous has a supplemental wine pairing for $37, making dinner and three glasses of wine $98. A good deal? No, a great deal. Especially considering the average entrée at Rendezvous is $52.

Most Surprising Meal:

The New Violet Hotel in Harlem is not actually a restaurant, so we’re not quite sure how they found their way into the Restaurant Week listings, but we’re grateful that didn’t deter us. Once we arrived, a man in front of the building who appeared to be the Maître d’, immediately asked us for a tip. Although we thought it was presumptuous, we were glad to give up a few bucks for the prompt service. He took our coats and purses and made his way down Adam Clayton Powell Blvd to what we assume is a secure cloakroom.

After we were seated on some folding chairs in the lobby, we were urged to order our meal via cell phone. We were given a menu and a phone number and after 30 minutes or so, we were treated to what was perhaps the best value of restaurant week: Chicken and broccoli with pork fried rice, and an egg roll. All for the astounding price of $6.95 per person. And when our food arrived with a  (free!) can of  Diet Sprite, we couldn’t help but smile.

Unfortunately, our coats were “not available” when we left, so we’ll be heading back tonight to pick them up. Will we be able to resist another meal? Not likely.