Now that we have the sleeping arrangements taken care of, who’s hungry? Here’s some of my fave eateries that you might like to try:
Travertine, a smoldering, sensual, Italian/Med hot spot opened just two months ago in a surprisingly local (edge of the Bowery) but Top Chef alum, Manuel Trevino is already knocking them dead. This was hands-down my fave meal of the trip. We loved the hipster look combining huge windows and exposed brick walls with glamorous, nightclubby chandeliers.
Service was spot on perfect- no hovering but everything magically appeared-often before we had to ask. Everything is made in house and our party of four was ecstatic with every dish we tried. The meltingly rich Burrata with blood oranges and toasted hazelnuts and the beautifully presented beef carpaccio with bone marrow aioli were our fave starters.
Trevino’s pastas set a new standard. The Garganelli, with shitake mushrooms and brussel sprouts in brown butter gave testimony to less is more, while the Pici (basically it’s hand-rolled spaghetti) with sweet sausage, fennel and dusted with bread crumbs had us all fighting over the last bite. If Pomegranate Glazed Lamb Chops are on the menu (which changes often) not only are they oozing flavor but you get three generous chops.
Don’t even thing of ordering a dessert to share…I mean you’ll want to share but everyone should order something different-they are well worth every calorie. Standouts were the Olive Oil Semolina Cake with a tangy rosemary goat milk gelato, and the flakey Apple Crostata.
This may be a new restaurant but it’s destined to be a classic.