Right before Thanksgiving my husband and I made a quick trip to The Big Apple to do Christmas shopping. Still, we managed to have two delicious meals and get to a terrific Broadway musical as well.
Reynard interior, photo from OpenTable.com
The first night we took the subway to Williamsburg in Brooklyn to have dinner with friends at Reynard in the Wythe Hotel. Located in a large space on the ground floor, the restaurant has soaring ceilings, tiled mosaic floors, and exposed brick walls all seemingly preserved from the building’s former life as a textile factory. But if the setting is lovely, it’s the food that makes Reynard worth a visit.
The menu changes constantly to reflect what is in season. My first course–grilled kohlrabi (a knobby vegetable you don’t see on many menus), tender mache, and apples arranged atop a swathe of apple butter, then sprinkled with a crumbled white German cheese–was exceptional for its blend of tastes and textures. Thinly sliced mushroons on a bed of spinach pesto showered with shaved Parmesan won kudos as well.
Scallops, Rutabaga, and Radicchio
For mains, grilled scallops, rutabagas, and radicchio leaves garnished with some sweet potato puree as well as a risotto with fork-tender shredded short ribs were both winners. We passed on dessert, ending our meal with a trip to the bar on the 6th floor where ceiling-high windows offer a stunning view of Manhattan.
Interior Ippudo
The next day we had lunch at Ippudo, a lively noodle bar that doesn’t take reservations in the East Village, and arrived early to avoid the long lines that form after 11:30. For appetizers we loved the lightly battered, fried shishito peppers with yuzu salt and the ethereally light buns stuffed with crispy chicken bathed in a spicy barbecue-style sauce. Next we ordered huge bowls of ramen noodles, like those everyone at our communal table were slurping.
Fried Shishito Peppers with Yuzu Salt
My version included cabbage, pork, and a smooth miso paste, while my spouse’s was spicier, with wider noodles. Both were delicious.
We ended our stay at the theatre where we saw “Kinky Boots” (the 2013 Tony award winner for best musical with a score by Cindy Lauper and lyrics by Harvey Fierstein).
Nothing could have been more fun. The songs are catchy, the acting and singing superb, and the choreography very clever. At the close, along with the entire audience, we were on our feet giving a standing ovation!
If you’re like me and have waited until the last minute to decide on what to serve for Christmas, worry no more. A glorious beef tenderloin roasted with plum tomatoes and garnished with a sprinkle of creamy goat cheese might just be the answer. For the past few years my son and I have planned and cooked together our family’s holiday meals. But, this year we are behind and still haven’t chosen our menu for 2013. Since our clan clamors for beef on the 25th, I culled my files, and found a favorite recipe for beef tenderloin roasted with plum tomatoes garnished with creamy crumbles of goat cheese.
