It
seems to have gone by in a flash but I have not been to The Stanton Social in
over three years. Time flies when you are craving French Onion Soup Dumplings
and haven’t been since that time. It is a wonder I finally made it back there
last night. I couldn’t have been more excited. I felt like a kid counting down
the days until Christmas. If there really is a Santa I would appreciate another
order of these then. I know I will always enjoy these dumplings, as they are
one of the very best dishes I have ever tasted. They get extra points for the
creative use of a traditional meal.
In
2012 my journey to Stanton Social (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/04/for-french-onion-soup-dumplings-stanton.html)
had me only focused on one thing: Claire Robinson of the Food Network and her
description of the above mentioned dumplings.
Once
I was there I was in love with the atmosphere of this very cool, fresh,
innovative restaurant. The entire menu is meant to be ordered for groups (even
as small as two people) to share. The portions are not family style as you
would find in say Carmines (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2015/03/for-family-style-feast-carmines.html).
Here you can order more dishes to try because there are fewer bites. This
solves a problem I often have, deciding what to order because everything seems
irresistible. Believe me this is a bigger problem for me then when I don’t like
anything on a menu, even though that doesn’t happen much anymore. If I am going
to a restaurant, regardless of whether I write about it, there is something I
am longing to eat there. Otherwise what’s the point?
Since
my last visit I notice that the menu has changed some but their signature
dumplings remain on the list. I doubt they are going anyplace anytime soon,
thankfully. I like knowing they are there whenever I need some.
Last
night was also the final night of Restaurant Week of which The Stanton Social
had been a part. So that menu gets tossed into the mix. I stuck with my
pattern of ordering whatever sounds good. After all it could be three more
years before I am back in the neighborhood.
A
lot has changed for me personally in terms of my health and eating out. For
starters last time I was not allowed to have alcohol because of my migraine
medications. However this time I can and I have to say I still remember some of
the pretty drinks I missed out on last time. Although I am tempted to try some
red wine after my success last week (http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2015/08/for-review-by-request-resette.html).
I ended up going with the Strawberry Fields off the menu. It tasted good but was
too strong for me to finish. Vodka and me are not quite yet back to being
friends.
As
for the meal we were there for what else? The French Onion Soup Dumplings,
obviously. There were two of us so we needed two orders. Then we decided to try
the Social Mac & Cheese (with spicy Italian sausage &
peppers), House Brined Pastrami Reuben Quesadilla (Swiss cheese, sauerkraut,
mustard aioli), Coconut Curry Samosa (housemade paneer, peas,
cilantro
yogurt sauce), and Potato & Goat Cheese Pierogies (caramelized
onions, truffle creme fraiche).
They
all looked so tasty. I was anxious to take a bite of everything. But only
hesitation is that I never know quite how to order. There are so many kinds of
foods and flavors at a place like this that I never have any confidence in what
I order. Maybe I am doing it wrong? There really should be a guide to follow.
Our
meal ended up going pretty well except the combination and the order they came
out in could have been better. The pierogies are amazing anyone who tastes them
probably could eat way more than the few that were served. I certainly could
have. The dumplings had stood the test of time for me but I was informed that
the aged cheese used is too strong for some people, not me I am a lover of all
cheese.
Turns
out I no longer like coconut so the samosas were good but would have been
better without that ingredient. The mac & cheese was all right but nothing
special. The Reuben quesadillas also were odd but inventive. I think most of
the foods on the menu sound good but end up having one flavor that doesn’t
quite fit in. I appreciate that it is a way to push comfort foods into a new
direction. Sometimes it’s a swing and a miss. I would have loved to interview
some fellow patrons to see what they liked and disliked. I would really be
curious to know those stats.
After
this meal we were incredibly full. I couldn’t breathe and I said it many times.
The place couldn’t have been more packed in and I was happy to step outside and
get fresh air when I left. I was surprised I couldn’t find room to try one of
the desserts. I thought about it but really couldn’t imagine taking another
bite of anything. I was full and satisfied.
My
return to The Stanton Social had been something I have longed to cross off my
list. Now I am eager to continue trying new foods at restaurant I haven’t yet
been to, here in my empire state of my mind, and stomach.
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