ABC Kitchen Cliches

I know, I know, it's cliche and totally old news to write about ABC Kitchen. But the food is so far from ubiquitous to pass up writing about it. 

Patience people, some (not all!) my hidden gems and unique finds will make their appearances soon enough. This blog is still a baby!

I've eaten here so many times in various capacities, with different people, and its always been so unbelievably impressive. I'm definitely raving way too often in my recent reviews, but maybe I just like my New York restaurants too much. Or maybe, I've just been giving away my favorite places, cliche or not.

Food

Let's see. Whats good? Um, pretty much everything. 

The only thing I would say to seriously skip is the crispy delicate squash appetizer with shaved parmesan  It's a round battered piece of butternut squash that tastes somewhat like a doughnut. Eh, it's nothing special. 

The roasted squash toast with fresh ricotta is probably the best dish on the menu and last night we were given two complimentary rounds of it. Obviously, we were all quite happy! The crispy thick, pumpernickle-esqe bread (I say "esqe" because I'm not quite sure what type of bread it was) is perfectly toasted and crispy. It is lined with a thin layer of light and extremely fresh ricotta cheese, topped with thick pieces of the warm butternut squash. This is a seasonal item and I'd wait for the Fall to roll around if you are an ABC first timer so that you can taste this item.

Sometimes the appetizers are better than the entrees. I would order this squash toast as an entree ANY DAY. Its filling, warm and just about perfect. 

The ricotta cheese with fig compote and grilled bread is another must-order. It has a bit more of a breakfast taste to it. Regardless, the ricotta is so light and fresh. It tastes like it is actually churned on site. And the fig jam is light as well which compliments the ricotta. The ABC ricotta seems to make an appearance in a lot of the their dishes. It blends very well being that it doesn't have too much of a heavy cheese flavor but acts as more of a complimentary taste to other parts of a dish.

I almost forgot to mention the tuna sashimi. Ughhh, its a must-order. Again, its smooth, and if you're not one for raw fish, this is the time to try it. 

The pastas, the pizzas and the fish are all great as well. Although, honestly, I really think ABC is all about its appetizers, first courses, sides and desserts. Don't get me wrong, the mains are great, but I really come back for the squash toast, ricotta and fig compote, the kale salad, the brussel sprouts (the latter two I did not mention in detail) and the dessert. Honestly, I dont come away raving about the pizza when New York has become a hub of Neapolitan pizza. Nor the pasta, it's not really about the Italian food here. Its more about the "local" and "seasonal" ingredients and what they do with them. 

Finally kids, do not overeat because you are then going to lack space for the best part.
The ABC Kitchen Sundae.
Salted ice cream, caramel popcorn, peanuts, and chocolate sauce.
It's amazingly good. 

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cake, Sundae, Chocolate Chip Cookies

ABC Kitchen food is essentially a gourmet eatery for the common man. The food is seemingly simple, recognizable and doesn't seem confusing or complicated. And yet, it is this seeming simplicity that makes one realize how amazingly complex the food is. To achieve an long list of simple dishes, all of which are smooth and perfectly executed for the sophisticated (or any for that matter) palate is not easy and Jean-George, executes quite 

Ambiance

The decor is ABC Carpet and Home turned restaurant. The side and dessert plates are composed of perfectly mismatched China. Sometimes I feel as though the cutlery and China are what you would find at a remote bed and breakfast (or in my mothers dining room), to give you a better idea. The lighting is dim and its a great spot for just about anything. It's pretty trendy Dinner, Brunch, Lunch, Birthdays, Dates, Dinner with Friends etc. 

Wait Time & Resos

Probably the MOST IRRITATING thing about this restaurant is that they only take reservations one month out. And, of course, they are ALWAYS booked that very same one month out. That is,  only unless you log onto Open Table exactly one month from the date you'd like to eat there. What I do is just make 4-5 reservations in the upcoming month of whatever I can get and then leave all the reservations there as an option. If I don't use the reservation I just cancel, its the only way. The other option is to walk in and let them seat you by the bar. Its not the same, though. You really do want to be seated at a table.
(Although I did pull a fabulous scam on them last night. But more on that another time)

ABC Kitchen

35 E. 18th St. 

New York, NY 10003

(212) 475 5829

http://www.abchome.com