Foodie Finders NYC: NYC Restaurant Review

Hey foodies! I recently ate at Danny Meyer's, Union Square Cafe. I had a great meal with the best service. Here is my review.

Union Square Cafe 21 East 16^th Street, New York, NY 10003

(Lunch - August 2011)

Dining at Union Square Cafe is an amazing experience rather than just a great meal. The service was excellent especially the Dining Room Manager, Talia Berman. For appetizers, the Peaches and Cream Soup with Crispy Guanciale was very unique. It was more on the sweeter side and refreshing, but what really made the dish outstanding was the crispy guanciale. For the pasta dishes, the Frascatelli alla Romana with Pancetta, Corn, and Black Pepper Cream was spectacular. Frascatelli is similar to spaetzle. The flavors were addictive and rich in flavor. The Saffron Pappardelle with Zucchini, Fresh Tomato, and Basil was delicious and interesting. The Pappardelle had saffron in it. The zucchini and tomatoes were great with the Pappardelle. Moving on to main dishes, the Wild Salmon with Fresh Corn Polenta, Husk Tomatoes, and Chanterelles was incredible. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the polenta was outstanding. The husk tomatoes were very unique. They are tomatoes encased with a husk. But these husk tomatoes taste nothing like a typical tomato. They are very sweet and have a nutty taste to it in my opinion. Others say it is more along the lines of a pineapple-like taste (They are available at the Union Square Greenmarket around this time of year. The husk tomatoes are great for just snacking on or making into a jam.). The Grilled Smoked Shell Steak, Roasted Spring Onions, Bone Marrow-Mashed Potatoes was another scrumptious dish. The steak is cold smoked and then cooked. It was different and delicious as was the mashed potatoes. The USC Burger with Melted Cheddar and Crisped Bacon– Grilled and Served on a Homemade Poppy Seed Bun with French Fries. It was very tasty and the french fries were yummy. I also tried the Yellowfin Tuna Burger with Ginger-Mustard Glaze, Grilled Red Onion, and Creamy Cabbage Slaw. The glaze was a bit salty for my taste. For dessert, My favorite dish was the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Tart with Candied Peanuts and Vanilla Ice Milk. It was decadent and delicious. I also loved the Blueberry Pie with Sweet Corn Ice Cream. The crust was amazing and the Sweet Corn Ice Cream went great with the pie. The Peach Cobbler with Sour Cream Ice Cream was very good. The slight tang from the Sour Cream Ice Cream was delicious with the sweetness from the peaches. The Robiola Panna Cotta with Greenmarket Strawberries and Aged Balsamic Syrup was spectacular. The panna cotta had a little tangy taste to it from the cheese. The strawberries were so fresh and sweet and the balsamic syrup tied it all together. Union Square was an unforgettable meal with immpecable food and service.

Service was warm, inviting, helpful which creates a restaurant that is above all the rest.
Must get the Frascatelli alla Romana. It is so good.
Must get the Wild Salmon with Fresh Corn Polenta, Husk Tomatoes, and Chanterelle. The salmon was cooked perfectly and may have been the best salmon I have ever ate.
Must get Chocolate-Peanut Butter Tart with Candied Peanuts and Vanilla Ice Milk. It is great.