NYC Restaurant Review - North End Grill

Hi foodies! Today I had a spectacular meal at North End Grill. Chef Floyd Cardoz is an amazing chef. Given the restaurant opened a week ago, there were a minimal amount of error. The meal was great and the hospitality was wonderful. The only disappointment would be that they were running out of a few dishes today, but the staff handled that situation very well. I guess it gives me an excuse to go back! North End Grill is currently opened for lunch only, but will officially be opened for dinner on January 23. 

North End Grill         104 North End Avenue, New York, NY 10282.

(Lunch - January 2012)

North End Grill can be summarized with one word, passion. When entering the restaurant, the open kitchen immediately stands out. Chefs busy at work allowing the diner to see the action. On the walk to the dining room, past the kitchen, one will see a raw bar followed by an espresso bar. The dining room is beautiful. The appetizers were great. The Hamachi Sashimi with Sesame Seaweed Salad was a fresh and flavorful dish. The seaweed salad was texturally amazing as there were miniscule cubes of candied ginger as a surprise that emerged every few bites. Next, the Cod Throats Meuniere were very good with a slightly spicy and delicious sauce. The Tuna Tartare with Fried Quail Egg and Crispy Shallots was outstanding.  A well cooked quail egg with an oozy yoke, sitting upon a cold, crisp mountain of tuna. Very unique in flavor this tartare is not one to be missed. The Coddled Egg with Lobster (normally with Peektoe Crab), Bacon, and Leeks was the shining star of the meal. A perfectly coddled egg incorporated in grits with fatty bacon and rich lobster made for a dish that will only leave you dreaming about it for many nights to follow. For entrees, the "BPC" Melt was incredibly good. This was a slice of focaccia toast with bacon, pears, and cheddar as well as a bechamel beer sauce along side an arugula salad. This indulgence was unique and unforgettable. The Chicken Burger with pickled cucumbers and slaw was delicious. The burger was sandwiched between a spectacular pretzel roll and came with a sriracha mayonnaise. The Grilled Sea Bream with Salsa Verde, Cabbage, and Bacon was such a well put together dish. Sea Bream is a white fish with a similar flavor profile to snapper. The cabbage was acidic and almost like a sauerkraut and the bacon added great flavor. For side dishes, the Charcoal Grilled Shishito Peppers and Cippolini Onions was very good. The peppers had a nice char on them and tasted great. This dish went great with anything as did the Hashed Brussels Sprouts and Lentils. The Brussels Sprouts were shaved and tossed with a few lentils. For dessert, the Sticky Toffee Pudding with Ginger Ice Cream was absolutely amazing. The cake was moist and the ginger ice cream perfectly cut out some of the sweetness. The Chocolate Pecan Layer Cake with Pecan-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream was beautiful to look at and quite delicious. And finally, do not miss the Butterscotch Pot de Crème with Chocolate Streusel and Single “Maltmallows” was very good. When you dive down into it, past the crunchy chocolate streusel and the custard-like pot de crème, you find a caramel delicacy at the bottom.The hospitality at North End Grill was amazing and if this is the dining experience one week since opening, then I can not wait to see what this restaurant becomes and look forward to dinner.

Cod Throats Meuniere

Tuna Tartare with Fried Quail Egg and Crispy Shallots

Hashed Brussels Sprouts and Lentils

Hamachi Sashimi with Sesame Seaweed Salad

Coddled Egg with Lobster (normally with Peektoe Crab), Bacon, and Leeks

Grilled Sea Bream with Salsa Verde, Cabbage, and Bacon

"BPC" Melt

Charcoal Grilled Shishito Peppers and Cippolini Onions

Chicken Burger with pickled cucumbers and slaw

Chocolate Pecan Layer Cake with Pecan-Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Ginger Ice Cream

Butterscotch Pot de Crème with Chocolate Streusel and Single “Maltmallows”

North End Grill is a must go to restaurant. Check back soon for more restaurant reviews in New York City. Restaurant Week starts today as well so I wish everyone Happy Eatings and hope you all make many reservations soon!

-Mike