I love palm trees. I love
the way they sway in the breeze. I love their shape. But mostly I love what
they represent to me; vacation. Since palm trees are not native to New York I
only see them when I am away. I love being on vacation especially to gorgeous
places that have palm trees. Those types of vacations are to relax and have
some fun in the sun.
For those of you
interested in a little bit of trivia, it is worth noting that there is only one
block in Los Angeles that has palm trees. So when you see them in a movie or in
a television show, it is the same block being filmed over and over again. Just
a little something I learned when I visited Hollywood a few years ago.
As I have mentioned before (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/04/for-ruth-chris.html)I have tried and loved Ruth Chris and Morton’s Steakhouse. Both are chains that have locations nationwide. No matter what city you visit either in you are ensured a great time, amazing food, and memories you will want to relive again and again.
For me the Palm has always
been in that category for me. It too can be found just about anywhere and
anytime I hear the name mentioned it is always followed by positive nouns and
drooling mouths.
The original and very
first Palm restaurant, Palm One, here in New York City opened in 1926 and still
remains at the same location. Palm Too opened a cross the street in 1973 to
help with some of the congestion. There is something about visiting a
restaurant that is a part of N.Y.C. history. It has a certain atmosphere about
it. There is a specific look, smell, and feel to the place. It is a place you
want to visit so that you too can be associated with something of that stature.
It is a far cry from these newer, trendier restaurants but there is something
to be said for a restaurant that has remained open for over eighty years. It
takes an adjustment at first but once you’re in, you go back in time.
When I first walked in I
was surprised how small it seemed. I also had no idea about the drawings on the
wall. According to my menu, artists would draw their likeness on the wall as a
way to “sing for their supper” so to speak as there was many cartoon artists
working in the area at the time this restaurant opened. It became a legendary
tradition much the way that portraits of celebrities hang on the walls at
Sardi’s in midtown. What is great about these faces and drawings is that the
people are unfamiliar so you spend time looking around reading, examining, and
taking in all that you see.
Since I was here for
restaurant week I knew that is the menu I would be ordering from. As is typical
for me I had glanced at it several times prior to arriving here but I didn’t
memorize my order exactly. But when the time came this was my decision: the
classic Caesar Salad and the twin tenderloin filets with atomic horseradish,
chive whipped potatoes, topped with a wild mushroom and crab beurre blanc. For
dessert I ordered the New York style cheesecake with raspberry sauce.
When it arrived this is
what it all looked like.
I have to say this is one
of the best Caesar salads I have ever had. It was so fresh, light, and crisp; I
ate every last bite and could have probably eaten another if it was in front of
me. Sometimes this is such a routine menu item that we expect it to taste like
something that comes off an assembly line or rather out of a bag, but to my
surprise it was just the opposite. It is one of the few salads I can recall off
hand actually craving when thinking about it.
When my entrée came I was
very excited looking at it. I cut into my steak, and took my first bites. But
this too was a surprise but not the kind I was hoping for. While the steak was
good, cooked to my specification, and in a delicious sauce, something seemed
off. I tried it with some of the mashed potatoes and still nothing. I couldn’t
figure out what it was. To be honest I still can’t put my finger on it exactly.
Bite after bite I was eating good food but not food that made me dance on the
inside. My only guess is that I had built it up in my head too much. I ate just
about the entire thing and it was good but maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for
steak that day.
As for the dessert that
was tasty too. The cheesecake was light and airy, sort of what you would expect
if you made cheesecake with cream cheese and the recipe from the container. It
was better than that but not your standard cheesecake. It was certainly not New
York style cheesecake or whatever I associate that to be. I was happy it was
light because I was so full but it is not a cheesecake I would ever order
again.
I had three dinner
companions in addition to anything similar I may have ordered this is what was
at our table: mixed green salad, baby arugula salad, prime blackened boneless
rib-eye steak, flourless chocolate cake, and the key lime pie.
This is what that looked
like.
Their review was that the
mixed green salad was good and the arugula salad was too plain. As for the
rib-eye that was very satisfying to the person eating it and the rest of us had
the filets. Since we each had a different dessert (there were two chocolate
cakes) I got to bite them all. The key lime pie was refreshing and every time I
see homemade key lime pie without fail there is someone wondering why it is not
green. F.Y.I. the green is always dye people. The chocolate cake was some of
the heaviest and stickiest I have ever seen. It was adhering to the plate and
then to whoever ate it. It was almost too much work to finish it. Everyone seemed full beyond belief and
satisfied with their choices. They had anticipated this meal for awhile and the
results did not disappoint. But being the critic that I am I try to always be
objective.
Overall I had a pleasant
experience at Palm and I am glad I got to experience this N.Y.C. institution.
The tables around mine were all eating the lobster. I think if I go back is
what I will try next. It was starting to look too good to me. I suppose the
grass is always greener on the other side. Actually in the very beginning the
Palm didn’t serve steak, so maybe that is where my fate lies. I am a believer
in second chances and in that case I will try Palm Too.
The great thing about
living in this city is that there is always another restaurant to try. I am now
hearing I have to go to Del Frisco’s and Dylan Prime, and so on the list they
go. One of these days I hope to actual accomplish everything and become full.
But what fun would that be?
If you are starting to
crave a good steak, and the smell is coming through the screen, now is probably
a good time to make a reservation.
For The Palm:
For Another Review:
For More Steak:
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