August

A few weeks ago, I asked CH'ers to help me decide between a few restaurants, all with a sense of "urban rusticity" including The Orchard, August, Salt and some others in Brooklyn to celebrate our 4th anniversary.

As the subject suggests, we chose August - and partially because, well, it is August, but mostly because its description fit the mold of what we are all about these days.

We got there about 7:15 (Sunday night) and the place was fairly empty. We were sat in the back patio (glass roof was closed) per our request and enjoyed the cobble stone floors, church pew seats and box planters that dotted the room at eye level when standing.

photo courtesy of NewYorkMetro.com

My wife started with a romaine, goat cheese and watemelon salad ($9) that was crisp and evenly dressed with uniformaly (bite-size) cut pieces. I was tempted to try the onion tart flambe but was curious to try the special appetizer which was a melon soup (lemon, olive oil, sea salt, honeydew? and buratta whey) with toasted bread, buratta cheese (fresh mozzarella-like), crispy and very salty pancetta (yum!) and a pickled Padron pepper ($10). The server had a tough time describing this dish and I can see why. No one flavor stood out over the others but they all came together wonderfully. A fun dish.

I opted for the only rose' they had on the menu ($10) while my wife had a glass of the Valpolicella Classico - Sane Ripasso ($9) which was the perfect weight for her palate (that is to say not terribly adventurous, though hearty and leaning toward fruity more than dry).

For our entrees, she went with the Poached Char with melon (honeydew), beets, lemon cucumbers and horseradish creme ($22). This was perfectly cooked with all ingredients working well together. The wife would have liked a little more melon on the dish, but otherwise was pleased.

I went for the whole roasted Orata (sea bream) that was served with a mix of pitted olives and an unnecessary side pot of warm olive oil. The fish was presented, then filetted and then served. It was very good. A few big bones were left in the fish, but that's just the risk you take. Otherwise, it was fantastic. This went particularly well with the side of french fries and housemade mayonnaise ($7).

We shared an order of the profiteroles ($9) - which were standard but very good. Extra points for the waitress (a new person to the table) who poured the chocolate sauce on the dessert tableside.

Service was fine and not intrusive. Total bill came to $100 on the nose before tax...which, naturally brought it up to $108.37 - before tip.

By the time we left the place it was filled to capacity but didn't feel crowded. I look forward to going back here...most likely for brunch next.

A nice way to spend an evening and worth a visit.