Unsurprisingly we could only score a table at 5.30pm in Keith McNally marvellous Greenwich Village bistro which has been around since 1937. It’s a love child of a Parisian steak house and a classic New York tavern. He also runs Balthazar, the Meatpacking District institution Pastis (closed in 2014 and will reopen in a new location in 2017) which I’ve dined in during my visits along with Augustine to name a few. It’s a 1 Michelin starred 85-seat cosy restaurant adorned with black-and-white photos, red leather banquettes and comes with sharp shooting bartenders who will make you the classics in style at the bar. Must haves are the roasted bone marrow, Côte de boeuf and that black label burger, with aged steak from meat legend Pat Lafrieda, is a thing to behold.
This was my visit during June 2012
Kicking off with a full bodied Arrogant Bastard Ale. The thing has teeth!
Old school Parisian decor wreaks of patina and nostalgia.
I went for the Black Label Burger $26 which is a selection of prime aged beef cuts, caramelised onions and pomme frites. It’s combination of ribeye, skirt steak, short rib, all aged and custom blended by meat purveyor Pat Lafrieda. The deeply rich aged meat flavour is prominent and it’s all enhanced by the clarified butter it’s basted with on their plancha. Its always recommended to come as mid-rare too, I can understand why as the quality of the meat is of the highest grade.
Sorbet to cleanse the palate and to be fair there is no room for desert after that burger.
The verdict:
When did I go? June 2012
The damage: Expect to pay $60-$100 per head with drinks.
The good: It’s carnivore heaven here and if you love burgers you must try the Black Label Burger, the amount of effort that’s gone into making that exuberant patty is phenomenal. And it was the best burger I’ve had at that time hands down. Overall, I really like it here, the staff are friendly, there’s always a buzz and those cocktails are crafted by really skilled bartenders.
The bad: It’s expensive, not quite worth the bill.
Rating: 4/5
Would I go again? Yes
Address: 113 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012
www.minettatavernny.com
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