Every so often, I'll develop a craving for a food other than chocolate. Strangely, this morning I awoke with a desire for French fries. I'd read something about the truffled asiago frites at David Burke at Bloomingdales (59th & Lexington Ave.), so I thought I'd start there.
I can't say that the cafe was inviting. The narrow room was packed with tired shoppers, and I was shunted to an uncomfortable stool by the window. I got hold of a harried waiter and ordered the fabled frites. When they arrived, they were cold and soggy. The truffle oil was a nice touch, but the shredded asiago was dry and cold, and the frites weren't well-salted. I didn't finish them (which is saying a lot).
This evening, I had another chance to satisfy my craving, and the second time was the charm. I took Grandma and Auntie over to the six-week-old Cafe D'Alsace, which is the first Upper East Side outpost of the French mini-empire which includes Nice Matin and Pigalle. (How perfect is it that the Alsatian restaurant landed in Yorkville?) I asked for the pommes frites (along with a Riesling-cream-sauced grilled brook trout garnished with white grapes and diced tomatoes) and they arrived piping hot, well-salted, golden-brown-crunchy and soft on the inside. Wonderful!
Cafe D'Alsace: 1695 2nd Ave., (212) 722-5133.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
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3 comments:
hey have you tried the fries at pop burger? in my opinion: the best in town, with the perfect crisp/soft ratio, full-flavored, and, at weekend lunchtime anyway, served up piping hot.
I work very close to David Burke at Bloomies. I've been in there and walked right out. It just seems that the food isn't much more than what you can get at the food exchange for half the cost.
I'm really excited to try Cafe d'Alsace. It seems to be an underrepresented region of French food in the city and it's some of the best.
I haven't tried Pop Burger's fries! They sound great from your description.
Hope you enjoy Cafe d'Alsace, efb... it's getting difficult to score a table even with a reservation!
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