Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
Ah, Valentine’s Day! The day we all get gouged – by Hallmark, by chocolate companies, and definitely by restaurants who charge astronomical prices for usually lower quality dishes.
That’s why I recommend taking that special someone for a special dinner the days around the “big” holiday. Restaurants don’t force you into a prix-fixe menu on the 13th or 15th of February. And may I suggest Marc Forgione?
Marc Forgione is the name of both a famous chef (he won The Next Iron Chef) and his cozy, romantic restaurant in Tribeca. It’s been around for a few years now, so it’s not on everybody’s hot list, but it’s still relevant with a great atmosphere and excellent food. The chicken under a brick floats with luscious butter, potatoes, and broccoli rabe. It’s definitely in the running for the city’s greatest chicken dish.
In addition to the chicken, a must-order is the chili lobster appetizer. You’ll find lobster on most high-end Valentine’s Day menus, but none will compare to this playful and slightly angry crustacean.
Most people might not realize this is a play on the Singaporean dish Chili Crab. The lobster offers up its knuckles and claws for you to dip into Forgione’s wondrous spicy sauce, which is sort of like a complex Sriracha butter sauce. It’s spicy, sweet, buttery, and unlike anything being served at most American high-end restaurants. And then instead of Asian steamed buns (the usual accompaniment), Forgione includes thick buttery Texas Toast, which has the perfect girth for dunking and soaking up all the juices.
Treat your loved one on Valentine’s Day – just do it on a different day. Leave the 14th for the amateurs.
| MARC FORGIONE |
| 134 Reade Street (between Hudson and Greenwich Street), Tribeca (212) 941-9401 |
| marcforgione.com |
