Elsewhere

As you learned from the last entry, I had a glorious trip to the NY/NJ area recently. I took time to enjoy a night at my friend Allen Stafford's restuarant, Elsewhere, located in the Hell's Kitchen District in Manhattan. Allen has quite a bit of experience in the NYC restaurant world, having been the "man about town" in the Grammercy Tavern, Casalulla, and other wonderful spots. Allen helped design the interior and menu of Elsewhere, situated on 43rd street in what used to be a French eatery. Much of the architecture is the same from the previous tenant, including some words in Francais painted on the walls. Allen reports brisk business these days. Additionally , Elsewhere has a special snack menu in the afternoons, which has proven popular with theater goers, pre- and post-matinee.

I went on a Friday with family and friends and was led to the back room, complete with a real tree growing out of the floor among the tables. We were treated to some bacon and lavender flavored popcorn, featured on the sharing menu. A complimentary "Leigh's Biscuit" layered with brown butter and sprinkled with sea salt and crushed black pepper arrived and it was tempting to scarf several more.

My chorizo encrusted lamb chop was sizable and scrumptious (love these restuarant review adjectives!). My wife had the "Bo Bo Chicken", the name of which refers to a respected brand name of poultry from China. The dish came with a cider glaze and served with braised kale over a bed of freekeh. Others in my party had braised rabbit, striped bass over polenta, and diver scallops. I sampled everyone's plates. Not a disappointment to be found. Well, maybe that no one ordered the "Pig's Ass" sandwich.

After the entrees came a cheese plate of cow and goat variety (don't recall the exact names) along with hams and mustards. Elsewhere, like Casalulla, has an impressive selection of regional cheeses from around the U.S.A. and is featuring specialty cheese nights throughout October (New Yorkers, you should go). Dessert was also quite nice: peach marble cake with mascarpone ice cream; the portion was just right. Others had the decadent sweet corn hush puppies with blackberry honey and scoops of cactus pear sorbet. No one tried the "dutch baby" (pancake); it sounded fabulous.

When in The City, take time to go Elsewhere!


ELSEWHERE
403 W. 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
212-315-2121
info@elsewherenyc.com