BEA

403 West 43rd Street

(between Ninth and Tenth Avenue)

Stopped by after our oyster night at Adella’s for dessert.

Really interesting speakeasy, Prohibition-era feeling kind of bar. Menu and walls are covered with 1920s-style photos.

On the walls, they were screening at least three different black-and-white films. (In a back room where a private function was being held, they were screening The Wizard of the Oz—yes, the one with Judy Garland!)

We had come for dessert, but being in the environment we were in, we decided to have a cocktail. We both ordered their Tottenville Tea—tea-infused rye whiskey, lime juice, spicy honey syrup, orange bitters, and lemon twist. Delicious! Tastes like a yummy iced tea, but with a kick.

 

Since we came for dessert, we ordered their flourless chocolate cake ($7). It was rich, as advertised, but way too dense. We couldn’t even finish it, but we both did finish our drink!

 

Pros:

Great place to meet for drinks.

Comfortable atmosphere.

Friendly service: although we didn’t have a reservation and the restaurant was crowded and hosting a private party in the back room, the host found us a seat right away and our server was super-knowledgeable about the menu and very helpful with suggestions.

Cons:

Very crowded bar scene filled with after-work, men-in-suits clientele on the night I went.

Final Thoughts

Great bar! Must return to try their pear and ice cream dessert. It’s a peeled, poached and chilled golden pear with a scoop of ice cream (on the night we came the options were fig and hazelnut). Also would return for dinner.

Adella ($1 Oyster Night!)

410 West 43rd Street

(between Ninth and Tenth Avenue)

If you are a fan of oysters, Tuesday nights at Adella are for you! Their oysters are regularly priced at $2.50 per oyster. But on Tuesday nights they’re $1 per oyster (minimum order of 6 oysters required). The special run all night!

Adella is a very cute wine bar in the Time Square area. However, the block it’s on makes you feel as if you’re on some Main Street in the suburbs. Very quaint.

The décor is modern and the centerpiece is a long, round communal table/bar.

I chose a corner table (as is my usual want!).

As I arrived earlier than my dining companion, I started with an order of their mixed olives appetizer ($5). Tasty and glad that they were NOT pitted.

 

To pair with it, I ordered a glass of their Sycamore Lane Chardonnay from Napa Valley ($10). A good, buttery wine.
 

 

When my friend arrived, she (being an oyster-lover) immediately ordered a dozen oysters. Their homemade cocktail sauce is a Chardonnay Mignonette. Their oysters were fresh and beautifully presented. Also liked that their oysters were of a good size!

 

After making a quick finish of the oysters, we decided to go a different route and ordered one of their flatbread dishes. We selected the one that came with smoked mozzarella, fig, and prosciutto ($15). LOVED it. The figs were particularly good.

 

We paired it all with a bottle of Les Violettes ($56) from Rhone Valley, France—a Grenache/Syrah blend. Beautiful squat bottle (very much in the French style) and the wine coloring is a lovely, clear red.

Very smooth finish. Would highly recommend getting a glass, but a bottle might be a bit much.

Did not try their dessert as they only had two offerings, which they admitted came from the dessert shop next door.

Pros:

Great place to meet for drinks.

Comfortable atmosphere.

Cons:

One bathroom stall.

More dessert options needed.

Final Thoughts

Must return to try their half-priced bottle of wine night on Mondays!

Ollie's Sichuan

411 West 42nd Street

(between Ninth Avenue and Dyer Avenue)

If you’re in Time Square and looking for a light snack before or after a Broadway show or movie, Ollie’s is a good option, especially if you’re in the mood for soup dumplings!

 

Ollie’s is a restaurant that has been around for years. I’ve been to other branches, but not this one. The décor is pretty basic for a Chinese family-style restaurant.

 

They immediately serve you a pot of tea, without your needing to request one. So that’s appreciated.

 The soup dumplings are listed as Shanghai Little Juicy Pork Buns on the menu and you get six (6) for $7.95.

 

The dumplings are a nice size and did not break upon picking up with the tongs! Very doughy and full of good soup juice. Just the way I like my soup dumplings!!

 

NOTE: The dumplings take about 15 to 20 minutes to prepare. And the wait-staff advise you of that upon ordering.

I only tried the dumplings on this visit, but I would return to try a full meal!

Springtime Equals Rosé Time

It’s spring, so it means it’s time to start drinking rosé!

My first rosé for the year is Dark Horse’s Limited Release Rosé ($10). I, of course, chose this wine because of its name: Dark Horse. I appreciate its poetic sentiment.

Pretty copper coloring and its bouquet smells like spring. It’s a dry wine with a crisp finish.

 

Cheers!

Momofuku Nishi (UPDATED!)

232 Eighth Avenue

(between 21st and 22nd Streets)

As promised, I did return one night (right before closing) to try their signature Ceci e Pepe dish.  And it did live up to the hype. Delicious!!!

 

For $24 it’s a rather small serving. But the noodles tasted like it was homemade and I am amazed that the chef somehow made the chickpeas taste like creamy parmesan cheese?!? (The footnotes on the menu insist that the dish does not include any cheese and instead come from the chickpea hozon.) And the black pepper was a perfect accent.

I paired it with their house wine ($10), which had a sparkling, citrusy taste. Might pair it with a beer next time.
 

Would definitely return for the ceci e pepe dish alone!