A lazy tune plays over speakers, the tinny brass melodies permeate the air. The soft golden lighting casts a nostalgic hue over the scene at the bar. Sipping a scotch on the rocks at the bar, I can’t help but think of countless others who have been in the same situation as I, and just as content.
A lonely madame sits at the bar, gazing into what should be smoke-filled air. She listens to conversations of those around her, yet she herself is without companionship, at least for the moment…
A suave blond gentleman enters the scene, he appears to know everyone, and everyone appears to know him. Or perhaps they are just pretending. He. looks around before wandering to the bar for an aperitif. Receiving it, he retreats to a corner of the bar. Perhaps it was all an act.
A cold whiskey warms to soul while it numbs the senses. A good night to come.
Ok, maybe the scene at Minetta Tavern this past friday wasn’t so reminiscent of James Joyce, but it was still pretty good. BG’s dad hooked up the friday night reservation, and out of the kindness of his heart, also paid the bill.
We first sat down to what I was sure would be another great meal at Minetta Tavern. The black label was a must, but the steaks were to be the main event for the evening. Kicking it off, I ordered an appetizer special of day boat scallops and mushrooms, which ended up being a delicious mixture of mushrooms, scallops, and butter. I mean, how could you go wrong? Some other apps at the table included fresh heirloom salad (I suppose the “healthy choice”), a puréed soup of some sort with oysters, roasted beet salad, and salt-cod stuffed calamari.
All that out of the way, it was time to relive a magical memory that I had experienced six months prior. The black. label. burger.
Yes, the black label burger was an intermezzo. It came out, divided in thirds (for me, BG, and the BGD). I didn’t waste any time, going straight in without adding anything to it, which is exactly how I had done it the time before. It was as tremendous as ever. Thinking about it now makes my mouth water. No, seriously, it does. It’s that good. One third wasn’t enough. I wanted more. But I knew that a whole lot of red meat was on its way.
And it arrived. The côte de boeuf, shared among three of us, even though the menu indicates that it’s for two. I don’t think that I know two people who could polish that bad boy off. It came with three giant bones split open for the roasted marrow action (a BB favorite), and a plethora of delicious meat. And we rocked it. We rocked it till the cows came home. It was just a blur of carnage that my arteries have yet to forget. I fully recommend it, but maybe, just maybe, start with something light and do the black label if (ok, when) you have room for it.
For dessert, we had the chocolate soufflé, which was light and fluffy like a soufflé should be, with a subtle egginess that made it like rich velvet on the tongue. Chocolatey velvet, that is. The perfect end to another fantastic meal at Minetta.
It already feels like it’s time to go back.
