Did you ever see something
on T.V. and know you just had to have it? I mean that no matter how long it
took, you would track it down and make that meal a reality? I have more than
once. But my latest achievement has also been one of the most delicious,
mouthwatering, savory, and yes divine. They are my four new favorite words:
French Onion Soup Dumplings. God has worked his magic via The Stanton Social. His
messenger was Claire Robinson on The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Appetizers.
Take a look and see why I
found her description so hard to resist.
I knew as soon as I saw
this air I would be coming here and trying these. I didn’t even know anything
else about the restaurant, I didn’t care. It didn’t matter. I love French onion
soup and putting them in neat little dumplings sounded like a genius idea to
me. The best soup version I have ever had was at Artisanal Bistro (http://bit.ly/Is5BEn), which is my favorite French restaurant in NYC. I couldn’t imagine how good these dumplings would possibly be, put after what felt like years of longing, I was ready to try them.
As my luck would have it I
had plans to see my favorite artist, Levi Kreis, right around the corner from
The Stanton Social. He would be performing at Rockwood Music Hall this past
Sunday. For those who have not had the chance to check him out yet, I
thoroughly encourage you to, as I have blogged about him before and definitely
will again. For the reasons why check out these past posts (http://bit.ly/kojVf6, http://bit.ly/JC1o5E). Please visit http://levikreis.com/live/.
When the timing was
finally right I made my dinner reservations a month in advance as I headed
Claire Robinson’s advice. I knew this was a popular spot and I wanted in. After
that I had a mini countdown in my head. I had glanced at the menu online and it
all looked good to me. I knew that most of the items were meant to be shared as
small tasting platters for the table. I love that idea. You get to try many
things without overeating. Or so I thought. Either way I was just in it for the
dumplings.
Finally my big night
arrived. The place was dimly lit and smaller than I expected. It sort of has a
retro vibe going on. The restaurant actually shuts down between lunch and
dinner so I was the first dinner reservation at the reopening time of five
o’clock. For anyone wanting a snack or drink in between the bar upstairs
remains open. Once we settled in at our table and the waiter came over, he
didn’t even have to mention what they were famous for. Actually after he said
the word dumplings I went deaf. No seriously, I still don’t know what their
other specialty is but I am sure it’s very tasty. If you find out please let me
know.
Since it was now time to
view the whole menu, the waiter informed me that for a party of two, which I
was, we should order about five or six items. Besides the dumplings we ordered:
potato and goat cheese pierogies, sweet and sour chicken and cashew spring
rolls, herb dusted fries, two Kobe beef burgers, and one Rhode Island style
lobster roll.
I anxiously awaiting the
dumplings but they didn’t arrive first. So I tried to relax and try the other
food. Everything smelled so good. When you are in a restaurant and you start to
see the same food being delivered to multiple tables it is a good sign you have
ordered correctly and are in the right spot.
The first food I tried was
the potato and goat cheese pierogies. They were way too good. I could have kept
eating them. There was plenty for two people. Potato and goat cheese what is
not to like. The dipping sauce they came with I even loved. I have no idea what
it was but it looked and tasted like an herb flavored sour cream. I could have
dipped anything in that and it would have been delicious.
Next up was the sweet and
sour chicken and cashew spring rolls. These were good too but a little hot for
me. I didn’t realize that when I ordered them. Still I powered threw using the
aforementioned sour cream like sauce.
Then came the main event,
the French onion soup dumplings! I was so excited I could hardly stand it. If
they had been any cooler or smaller I would have gone through them much faster.
But it took a few minutes just to eat one. There is no way Claire Robinson did
them justice. Lord knows she tried, she got me here. But they are seriously the
best thing I ever ate. I would have put them on my last supper category. This
is the type of food every single person needs to try. I don’t care if you don’t
like French onion soup. The presentation and creativeness allows for a new food
group that is too good to resist. Inside the dumplings are the soup and onion
aspects, on the outside is the gooey, thick Gruyere cheese, and finally a crouton
as the final touch recreating the bread. This is all on a toothpick so that you
can take one bite and get a mouth full of these flavors. It was harder than is
sounds. Actually I am not sure how these tiny toothpicks held that weight. All
I remember is that with that first dumpling still in my mouth I closed my eyes
and leaned my head back enjoyed every bite for what seemed like an eternity. I
never wanted it to end. But I was getting tired; it is not easy living the
dream.
Finally I began to awaken
and move on after trying to swallow two of the dumplings, the burgers, lobster
roll, and fries arrived. Their presentation was so adorable I couldn’t wait to
take their picture. But it was a few minutes before I could attempt to take a
bite. The dumplings are heavier than they appear and for some reason I thought
I was going to pop them all in my mouth one after the other like candy. I
didn’t remember to take into account the heat and heavy cheese. I am not the
eating champ I thought I was. Turns out my eyes really are bigger than my
stomach. Thank God for small favors.
After a small break I cut
my mini burger in half and took a bite. It had a good flavor but was too raw
for me to eat. The fries were good and had a nice seasoning. The lobster roll
was also true to the original recipe and reminded me of the one I had in Rhode
Island. If I had anymore room I would have finished it. But I was devoted to
finishing my portion of the dumplings. I thought I was going to explode but
they were so magnificent like a fine work of art I had to keep going. Baring in
mind I was sharing them and still was struggling. But I didn’t manage to finish
my portion. I was a very happy camper but way too full, so when my waiter
offered to re-grill my burger I said no. I was over it and by that time
couldn’t take another bit. It was a sham. The dessert menu looked enticing but
I was just too full. Another time, yes there will definitely be another time.
I have never left a
restaurant with more of a food coma than I did that night. I could have laid
down on the ground and been perfectly happy. I am glad I only had to walk
around the corner to the venue or it would have taken me hours to get any place
else.
I think the receipt sums
up my total experience that night. It had The Stanton Social logo on it and
read:
“Live long. Be happy. Be
social.”
I am trying.
To book your reservation:
YUM YUM YUM...
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