Artisanal: Cheeeeeese (Yea, I got out)

Artisanal

2 Park Ave [32nd btw Park and Madison]

New York, NY

http://www.artisanalbistro.com/

Should you try? One of my favorite restaurants in the city…So Yes

Duck a la Orange

Artisinal is one of my favorite restaurants in the city. It may be a little pricey, but it’s definitely worth it. Artisinal specializes in cheese and ages the cheese in-house, so obviously any dish with cheese is AMAZING.

And it’s always a plus when the waiter/waitress is brutally honest with you. I want a waiter/waitress to tell me what is really good, rather than try to push some dish because they have too much of it left. My waiter this past time told me straight up what to get and what not to get, which was awesome.

If you’re flexible as to when you can go, definitely go on a Friday. They have specials for each day of the week, and Friday’s dish is a 7-hour Lamb Shank (Goat Cheese, Polenta, Ratatouille; $29.50). Yes, the lamb shank is cooked for 7 hours!!! Obviously it’s extremely tender and is overall just really delicious. The waiter even said they get an early rush of patrons on Fridays (around 5pm) so they can make sure the 7-hour Lamb Shank is still available. The dish is that good that they run out of it.

Unfortunately for me, I last went on a Thursday but everything was still delicious.

• Onion Soup Artisinal (Four Cheese Blend; $12.50) – Best French onion soup around. Obviously the cheese is of great quality and taste, but the soup itself is loaded with flavor and is delicious.
• Salade Frisee (Blue Cheese, Bacon Lardons, Poached Egg; $15.50) – Just a really solid salad. There’s a ton of blue cheese and the bacon lardons add that smokey and meaty component.
• Thursday Plate du Jour – Duck a la Orange (Parsnip Puree, Braising Greens; $29.50) – Thought about the Duck Bourgignon, but my waiter told me to get the Duck a la Orange. The duck had both meaty portions and meat still on the bone. The skin was cripsy, and the orange sauce was subtle but added a nice contrast.
• Macaroni Gratin (Accompagnement; $9.50) – Incredibly cheesy and flat out delicious.  Definitely get it.
• Spinach Gratin with Parmesan (Accompagnement; $7.50) – Always a great side, and the melted parmesan was a nice touch.

I would highly recommend making a reservation because it’s always crowded. And if you call to make a reservation, think about requesting The Cave (La Cave). The Cave is a small private room with one table for four (max 5) and is also where all the cheese is aged. You’re basically surrounded by aging cheese behind glass and would just be a really cool experience. And no, the odor is not strong at all.

Onion Soup Artisinal

Salade Frisee

Macaroni Gratin

Spinach Gratin with Parmesan