This video is a thing of beauty. I
could almost weep just watching it over and over again.
That’s why I had to stop. Well
that and I had to get going or I would miss my reservation at Artisanal
Fromagerie and Bistro and after waiting four years for this meal I was not
going to wait an extra second.
When I stepped out of my car and
reached for the door I could feel a transformation occur. I was being
transported out of the noise and crowds of NYC and stepping into a peaceful
Parisian paradise.
The last time I was at this
restaurant was for dinner on my thirtieth birthday (see blogs below). I had a
large group of family and friends and it is a meal and experience I relished
in. I meant to come right back but life got in the way but it has all worked
out in my favor.
I found out tonight that the
restaurant is under new management and has experienced what felt like is a
French revolution. The entire staff seemed to be from France with authentic
accents and uniforms. It was like I walked in and sat down in a bistro in
Paris.
This has been the only spot
outside of a spa where I could take a deep breath and COMPLETELY relax. I sat
back, looked around, and let my shoulders fall back down into place. My hot
date for the night was Me, Myself, and I, which was exactly who I needed to
spend some time with. Being able to experience a meal solo allowed only my
thoughts to decide I how felt about the evening. There was no other energy that
I had to take into consideration. Stella may have gotten her groove back but I
got my peaceful soul to rise up again.
I started
with a dirty martini, which I love and have been craving since about a million
years ago. As Dorinda Medley of the Real Housewives of New York City says,
“diamonds aren’t a girls best friend, martinis are”. She is only half right.
Diamonds are also friends of us females.
I finally
had a dirty martini made to order that was the best I have EVER had. It was so
perfect I was practically licking the glass clean. I could have sat there and
drank seven more but that was in no one’s best interest least of all mine. I
just know that when the time comes for another one of these drinks I will have
to return to Artisanal and you know get a cheese plate so there is something in
my stomach.
This video
provides a brief glimpse of the cheese shop within the restaurant.
Since I
had this meal on my calendar I have been debating what to eat. It is NYC
Restaurant Week but I decided not to participate and order from that menu. I
went for the hanger steak with frites and as per my handsome, helpful waiter’s
suggestion a small order of their mac and cheese. Secretly I had been dying to
try it, it was like Andre was reading my mind. The next mac and cheese I have
to try according to the press (see links below) is at Murray’s Cheese.
When my
dinner arrived it looked like Me, Myself, and I had all ordered our own meals.
Not that I am complaining. I did end up with a doggie bag but that didn’t get
farther that my front door.
The steak
was delectable but a little too chewy for me; I should have gotten the filet
mignon. The frites were going down faster than I could count them. The mac and
cheese stole the show. It was light, lighter than it looked. No matter how much
I ate it never weighed me down which is why I kept eating until I was about to
burst. The breadcrumbs on top weren’t glued to the dish; they were still
flaking off as I took bite after bite. There is something to be said for
quality instead of quantity though there was plenty to go around.
I couldn’t
have been happier with my meal or the service. Everyone that worked there was
amazing, friendly, helpful, and even funny. I was alone but it was like I went
to a place where everyone knows my name. Or at least they will after they read
this.
My genius
intuitive waiter guessed that I like white chocolate and recommended a special
dessert. Naturally I took the suggestion just to be polite and you assume
correctly that plate was handed back completely empty. The thin white chocolate
strip surrounded citrus fruits with what tasted like a grapefruit sorbet. It
was refreshing and innovative. It was also a great palate cleanser.
I was
there just under two hours and I was hesitant to leave. I knew reality was on
the other side of that door. Luckily for me I know where to go when I need
another reprieve.
In a city as large as New York
City, it is more important to know which restaurants are worthy of your
patronage rather than those that are not. I think the former is of a rarer
breed. So that is what I told the brand new manager who was kind enough to talk
to me for a few minutes, as I was about to leave.
Audrey Hepburn was right; Paris is always a
good idea. I will add that when you are in NYC, Artisanal Fromagerie Bistro is
a great idea.
I will see one this fall, when they open at
their new location (details I have but won’t share until then) and hopefully
the other next spring. Paris is always lovely that time of year.
For More Information:
For Other Artisanal Blogs:
http://thequeenoff-ckingeverything.blogspot.com/2012/04/for-french-onion-soup-dumplings-stanton.html
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