Checking In On L’Artusi & Via Carota
Plus, two hot new Mexican restaurants and fro-yo intel.
Since last Tuesday, our team visited 68 restaurants and bars in New York. Bryan was mostly in Vail, CO, but, as you’ll see below, he did squeeze in a burger at The Snail. Carlo, on the other hand, really hit the local pavement, and, for some reason, chronicled every line he saw walking from the LES to the West Village on Saturday evening. This is his dispatch, in case you’re nosy.
Venchi Gelato (Sorry we don’t have a review for this one. Unclear if a New York taxpayer has ever been here.)
Moving on. Here are some places of note we’ve checked out in the past seven days.
Comal - Will
Why I Went: Trying the new Mexican spot in the old Gem Wine space
Already feeling like some of the Best Things I Eat This Month will come from Comal. It’s loose, it reminds us of Ha’s in spirit, and it’s definitely going to be a hot table. The skirt steak is a whole $100, but it was really quite good and makes for building a great taco. The portions are generous, and we didn't have a single bad bite. Some highlights: cobia aguachile (not a fish you see often), a smoky beef tartare with chapulines, the juiciest chicken breasts that Bryan and I can remember having, ever, and delicious soft serve. Bossa nova was blasting. I’m hooked.
L’Artusi - Molly
Why I Went: Checking in to see how our review holds up
My first time here, finally. 16 years in and decidedly, L’Artusi is not overrated—just accurately rated. It’s refreshing to go to a place that is still a tough res (though a lot easier of a res if you pick up the phone and call them, I discovered), but for good reason. I’m glad I had one, because by 5:15 on Wednesday, people had fully crowded the entryway, clutching dirty martinis and hoping to snag tables. I loved my meal! The olive oil cake with raisins soaked in a very sherry-tasting, caramel syrup and whipped creme fraiche a.k.a. adult cool whip goes particularly crazy.
Butterfield Market - Ciera
Why I Went: Needed a cold sweet treat on an 85-degree day before going to the Met
Got the medium frozen yogurt (I was sharing it!), and wow, was it massive. The peanut butter with blueberry is 10/10. I do wish I would have taken it a few blocks to Central Park—instead I sat on the benches facing 85th Street next to a dumpster that smelled like dead mice.
Dolores - Willa + Tiffany
Why I Went: New Mexican spot from the Winona’s people
We were quoted two to three hours, but it ended up being more like an hour! It was fun! It would be nice to come here for a drink and a snack if it dies down a bit (was so, so busy and so, so loud), but the food warrants a full meal. (Wouldn’t wait three hours for it, though.) Highlights were the cheesy refried beans, the chile relleno tacos, and the jerk batanga cocktail that comes in a cactus glass fit for a Tex-Mex restaurant in central Ohio. It’s also nice that there’s a plate of the day, which in this case, was green chicken enchiladas. Apparently if you stay later, you can play Mexican bar games that involve Dolores-branded dominoes (of course), so some of the tables are outfitted with very fashionable leather cupholders on their legs, to hold your drink. We left giggling thinking about Dolores, Doris, and Daphne’s being neighbors.
The Snail - Bryan
Why I Went: I had to see what all the fuss was about
Cute. A fan. Would I like this place as much if it didn't serve a burger? No. And I feel bad about that.
Via Carota - Carlo
Why I Went: One of my best friends had never been. Also, does anybody really need a reason to go to Via Carota?
Got in line at 4:45pm on Saturday, put my name in at 5:05pm, was quoted 7:30pm, and got seated at 6:50pm. Unreal grilled artichokes with aioli. Only complaint is that the pastas could've been just a little hotter, but were so good.
Went to Il Gigante in Ridgewood for a friend's going-away party with about six people and they plopped an entire bottle of limoncello on the table with our check. That’s a nice touch! We got a bunch of starters (baked cauliflower was a hit) and everyone got their own mains, along with a couple of cocktails. The bill was $100 each, which felt like a steal. - Jonathan
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mouth? watering.