12 E. 22nd. St., Flatiron
212-228-7557
http://www.almondnyc.com/
Chef-restauranteuring duo and Brooklyn homies Eric Lemonides and Jason Weiner have extended their Bridgehampton beauty to Manhattan, bringing us a Flatiron “keeper” with Almond.
The menu consists of solid, hearty home-style fare prepared with farmed-fresh ingredients. American favorites are paired with French classics like foie gras mousse and duck confit. The rustic decor, replete with white-washed planks on the walls adds to Almond’s French inflected, down-home charm, as do the reasonable tabs.
Grand Macaroni and Cheese
The arugula, beets and roquefort salad was a course of inspired goodness that my guest and I enjoyed down to the last leaf of arugula.
Arugula, Beets, Roquefort and Candied Walnuts SaladInspired by Gael Greene’s encomium on Almond’s macaroni and cheese (it also helped that it was one of those December evenings when the wind chill was whipping at 60mph+), I ordered a Grand Macaroni and Cheese. Compellingly tasty and rich, this enormously-sized dish is served bubbling hot. The noodles are beautifully coated with smooth delicate flavors of the liquid cheeses that do not drown out the subtle aromas of the truffles. However, after eight or so forkfuls, I realized that eating further may have had me teetering on a happy heart attack. Cholesterol conscious or not, I strongly recommend ordering the side order portion of this delicious, but “uber-hearty” meal.
Grand Macaroni and Cheese
My dining companion ordered the roast chicken. It is an absolute homerun of an entree, made of virtuous meat roasted to perfection that melts on your tongue on impact. Its deep, subtle earthy flavors delight the palate in ways that are comforting and surprising at once. At $18.00, it’s a smart, satisfying no-brainer of a choice.
Determined to guarantee our spots in Dante’s third ring, we squeezed in a gorgeously prepared tarte au citron with huckleberries. Gluttony is fantastico!
Tarte au Citron
