Okay, so some people think these restaurants can be "snooty." They can be. Well, great lunch bargains can be discovered in less "snooty" places if you don't want to wear your Sunday best just to go to lunch on a Wednesday. I'm happy to share a couple fun deals at fairly opposite ends of the spectrum, and yet both have a certain je ne sais quoi. Could it be some European flair? I think it could be!
Brasserie Les Halles
411 Park Ave S
(between 28th St & 29th St)
New York, NY 10016
(212) 679-4111
www.leshalles.net
You may remember this restaurant from Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential
Pâté aux Truffles et Foie Gras - Duck Pâté with Truffles and Foie Gras |
French Onion Soup $8 |
Brochet au Bergerac Blanc - Pike in Bergerac White Wine Sauce and Potato Puree |
Quiche du Jour - Portobella Mushroom and Gruyere $12.50 |
Overall, I have not only enjoyed my food during my two visits to Les Halles, my dining companions have always enjoyed theirs, and I'm pleased that I discovered this special, early in the week deal with a well priced tasting menu. I would happily return to try the foods from other regions, and of course order the classics off their standard menu.
Alice's Tea Cup
156 E 64th St (plus 2 other locations)
(between Lexington Ave & 3rd Ave)
New York, NY 10021
(212) 486-9200
alicesteacup.com
I sincerely love drinking tea. Afternoon tea became popular in England in the late 17th century and is still popular today, there and just about everywhere else! Probably the most famous tea party (other than the Boston one, and oh yeah that political one of the moment) is the one from Alice in Wonderland. Two sisters have taken their love of tea and opened three New York restaurants with whimsical decorations, bright colors, mismatched tea cups, saucers, and teapots, and fun menus featuring not only an extensive list of teas, but dishes that include tea as an ingredient. The menu extends far beyond afternoon tea, and even offers "mar-tea-nis," tea cocktails. Going here alone may be fine for regular menu items, but if you plan to indulge in the afternoon tea (which is actually served all day), not only is it more fun with a friend but it will seriously save you money! The Nibble is their smallest afternoon tea offering, and is intended for one person. It costs $23 and offers a pot of tea, a scone, a sandwich, and cookies. The Mad Hatter can be ordered for one or two people. For one person it will cost $30 and includes a pot of tea, 2 scones, 2 sandwiches, cookies, and a choice of sweets. For $37 you can get the same thing but with an extra pot of tea, and an extra scone. That's the same as the Nibble but with an extra scone and additional dessert to share, and you will each pay only $18.50! For more food EACH than the Nibble! The third option is the Jabberwocky, best if you're here with more than 2 people. It starts at $38 with $20 additional per person added, and includes all the same things (and extra pots of tea and scones per person added), but UNLIMITED sandwiches and more desserts. This is the way to go for a larger party.
The Mad Hatter for Two $37 (with leftovers too!) |
My friend and I ordered the Mad Hatter. She had the African Dew as her tea choice, a darker tea which she lightened with milk. I chose Alice's Tea, which is a mixture of black and green teas, infused with rose and vanilla flavors. I liked it, thought it was a bit floral without being over the top, and not so strong that I needed to sweeten it. We each had a raspberry-cream cheese scone (basically a raspberry scone with cream cheese frosting) which we both loved! We also split a pumpkin scone (took most of that home), one of their most popular scones, but it was less popular to my friend and I, who thought it was denser and more doughy than the raspberry one. The scones are served with preserves and cream.
Pumpkin Scone and Two Raspberry Cream Cheese Scones with Preserves and Cream |
For sandwiches, I went with Alice's BLT, which is served on toasted pumpernickel with a Stilton spread instead of plain mayo. Although I felt boring ordering a BLT with all the other sandwich choices, I had read that it was very popular, and I stood by my choice. It was really good! My friend had the Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich, served on Amy's famous Golden Raisin Semolina Bread. It was a bit of sweet and a bit of spice, all wrapped up in a mighty good sandwich.
Alice's BLT and Curried Chicken Salad Sandwich |
The final tier offered a selection of cookies and a choice of sweets. Although we could have had chocolate mousse or a lemon-fruit tart, we went with the mocha chocolate chip cake. We both only had room for a bite of cake before we wrapped up the rest to go! It was SO much food! You definitely get your money's worth! Come here with a huge appetite, and definitely bring your friends :) Oh, and PS, there were men dining here too (albeit with women, but still), so I want to be clear there is no "girls only" rule! Tea is universal, and so is Alice's Tea Cup!
Jean's "not-yet-but-soon-to-be-famous" Mocha Chocolate Chip Cake with Assorted Cookies |
