festive

After months of hibernation, it finally feels like spring is breaking through! Last weekend, we gathered up a gaggle of friends for an ‘end-of-winter-hello-spring’ (and secret birthday) dinner party! Knowing our guests were coming from as far away as Brooklyn and the Upper West Side, we made sure they were immediately greeted with chilled champagne and a selection of our fabulously homemade canapés.

To ensure that we-the-dinegirls were part of the over-the-top festivities, we planned planned planned military style in advance. 99% of our menu was prepped beforehand so all that remained before serving were the finishing touches, drizzles and sprinkles. To quote Martha, “if you need more than 15 minutes to assemble and plate each dish, it’s the wrong menu.”

Instead of complicated items (note our previous dinner party), we opted for fabulously simple and delicious dishes like tomato fennel soup and beef bourguignon. The key to elevating seemingly every day foods is to use the best best ingredients (san marzano tomatoes, Joseph Faiveley burgundy for the beef bourguignon etc..) and also present each course on your finest china. Our soups were served in vintage tea cups, drizzled with the very best French olive oil and were immediately met with “ooohs and ahhs!” when presented to our guests. Even the humble tomato soup gets the star treatment in dinegirl world!

To pair with our desserts–a spread overflowing with decadence that Marie Antoinette would most definitely approve–we figured this was the perfect night to share a few bottles of that most special honey elixir….. Château d’Yquem. Liquid gold!

Au revoir to the long New York winter…and cheers to a fabulous spring!

The backless stools and casual, candle lights make it better suited for dates or casual dinner with friends rather than client dinners. Space feels small and narrow but the communal table in the back, sort of open kitchen and high walls give it a warm vibe. Menu is extensive mix of very small plates, all beautifully presented and unique. Since our table was in a “non-sharing” mood, we each did 3 courses (some rogue forks did end up in my plate unfortunately) each, and our wine friend picked out some unique grapes from the 25 page wine list. Fluke sashimi with pomegranate was incredible, and paired well with a super affordable L’ecu Muscadet-Sévre et Maine ($45).

Next course selection for me was pork meatballs – highlight of the meal. Sweetbreads were also a popular selection for the table. We paired the second course with 1976 Catherine and Pierre Breton, chinon ($139) from the Loire Valley – fresh and tasty. Rabbit sausage entrée was unique and delicious, which was washed down with our Bordeaux splurge of the night – 1985 Château L’Arrosée St. Emillion ($220). The wine list has something for every budget and taste, ranging from $45 to well over $1000+++. So depending on the company and who’s picking up the tab, you can choose accordingly.

I loved the plating and presentation, which was well thought out and appeals to all the senses. The vibe is downtown cool – with a great sound system and new wave hits to hum along to. Noise level is juuuuust perfect enough where you can hear your table chatting, and yet not hear strangers next to you. This is quite an art form given the decibel levels in most trendy spots. There’s a strange dynamic in that it’s located right across from the Bowery Mission, but I suppose that’s what is disturbing yet appealing about skid row right now. You are dining in trendy, food forward spots facing the grit of the past. Which makes it quintessentially New York.

Pearl & Ash
220 Bowery (between Prince and Spring)
New York NY 10012
Tel. 212 837 2370

festive

Spring Awakening

Pearl and Ash

festive

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