HE WAS ROBBED. THAT'S ALL.
Moving on...
Over the past five months, I've had the opportunity to dine three times at Mehtaphor. Today, I want to write about my last trip to Mehtaphor which I enjoyed thoroughly, both for the food, and the experience. Just know, this won't be your typical restaurant review, as I am a writer, not a critic, so expect plenty of bias to be displayed, but then again, aren't all reviews, if anything, subjective?
I have to think that owning a restaurant anywhere, brings with it many challenges. That said, owning one, or more in a city like Manhattan has to bring with it, the regular challenges as well as some unique to being successful in a huge city with a restaurant on every corner, and serious competition everywhere. It's hard to get a regular following, and many places resort to gimmicks, or having articles written about celebrities who dine at their establishments, anything to attract attention, and of course more business into the restaurant.
Sometimes that works, and sometimes that doesn't.
What I like about Mehtaphor, is they seem to do things differently. They don't host big celebrity gatherings, they don't do much advertising They attract people not through gimmicks, but through their own merit. At least that's what I think. To be honest, it's not a high profile place, which really is a shame, because it should be. It kind of reminds me of the really great guy or girl who never gets considered for a relationship, and everyone who has experienced a situation like that knows how unfair it is.
So, that all said, I'm going to talk about three things that make dining at Mehtaphor a fantastic experience.
1. It's one of the most different and welcoming places I've been too, simply because of the decor. Sure it's small (it only seats about 45-50 people, ) but that doesn't matter. Everything seems to gel together in a wonderful, eclectic mix, from the colorful pillows that rest against the booths to the high, silver stools at the bar. The dark paneling adds a warm touch to the whole room, and somehow it all works together beautifully. That theme is carried out further through-
2. The menu which is both interesting and difficult to describe, that instead of writing endless paragraphs about it, I'll just let you read it yourselves.
http://mehtaphornyc.com/menu2.html
And that's not all, they also have a completely vegetarian menu as well-
http://mehtaphornyc.com/menu5.html
On my last visit, I had the foie gras, which was as wonderful as the first time I tried it last November. I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I did, and I'll admit a tiny part of me still screams 'Oh no,organ meat!" right before I eat it, but then I take my first bite, and I'm lost. The foie gras is everything it should be, and the raspberry compote, with its tangy sweetness, compliments it perfectly.
I also enjoyed the Orange Ginger Shrimp Ceviche, which is both cooling from the fresh shrimp and warming from the ginger and cilantro.
Finally, for dessert, I had the hazelnut souffle with the homemade rum raisin ice cream. Simply put, there aren't words to describe how wonderful this is. I don't often wax poetic about food, but this deserves a sonnet at least, or a moment of silence. There is no doubt in my mind that the souffle was Divinely Inspired, from its crispy outer shell to the soft sweet custard beneath, redolent with nuts and spices. It's most definitely one of the best things I've ever eaten.
I have to think that owning a restaurant anywhere, brings with it many challenges. That said, owning one, or more in a city like Manhattan has to bring with it, the regular challenges as well as some unique to being successful in a huge city with a restaurant on every corner, and serious competition everywhere. It's hard to get a regular following, and many places resort to gimmicks, or having articles written about celebrities who dine at their establishments, anything to attract attention, and of course more business into the restaurant.
Sometimes that works, and sometimes that doesn't.
What I like about Mehtaphor, is they seem to do things differently. They don't host big celebrity gatherings, they don't do much advertising They attract people not through gimmicks, but through their own merit. At least that's what I think. To be honest, it's not a high profile place, which really is a shame, because it should be. It kind of reminds me of the really great guy or girl who never gets considered for a relationship, and everyone who has experienced a situation like that knows how unfair it is.
So, that all said, I'm going to talk about three things that make dining at Mehtaphor a fantastic experience.
1. It's one of the most different and welcoming places I've been too, simply because of the decor. Sure it's small (it only seats about 45-50 people, ) but that doesn't matter. Everything seems to gel together in a wonderful, eclectic mix, from the colorful pillows that rest against the booths to the high, silver stools at the bar. The dark paneling adds a warm touch to the whole room, and somehow it all works together beautifully. That theme is carried out further through-
2. The menu which is both interesting and difficult to describe, that instead of writing endless paragraphs about it, I'll just let you read it yourselves.
http://mehtaphornyc.com/menu2.html
And that's not all, they also have a completely vegetarian menu as well-
http://mehtaphornyc.com/menu5.html
On my last visit, I had the foie gras, which was as wonderful as the first time I tried it last November. I honestly didn't expect to like it as much as I did, and I'll admit a tiny part of me still screams 'Oh no,organ meat!" right before I eat it, but then I take my first bite, and I'm lost. The foie gras is everything it should be, and the raspberry compote, with its tangy sweetness, compliments it perfectly.
I also enjoyed the Orange Ginger Shrimp Ceviche, which is both cooling from the fresh shrimp and warming from the ginger and cilantro.
Finally, for dessert, I had the hazelnut souffle with the homemade rum raisin ice cream. Simply put, there aren't words to describe how wonderful this is. I don't often wax poetic about food, but this deserves a sonnet at least, or a moment of silence. There is no doubt in my mind that the souffle was Divinely Inspired, from its crispy outer shell to the soft sweet custard beneath, redolent with nuts and spices. It's most definitely one of the best things I've ever eaten.
3. In closing, the last thing that makes dining at Mehtaphor a memorable experience is the quality of service I receive every time I go there. I'm always greeted warmly when I arrive, and even when I'm only a party of one, I'm regulated to the last table in the darkest corner of the room, as so often happens at other places.
The servers don't hover, but they're always easy to find if you do have a question, and best of all, they don't rush you. It's one of the things I enjoy the most about the time I spend at Mehtaphor, and the main reason I make time every month to return.
You should go there too.
Soon.
The servers don't hover, but they're always easy to find if you do have a question, and best of all, they don't rush you. It's one of the things I enjoy the most about the time I spend at Mehtaphor, and the main reason I make time every month to return.
You should go there too.
Soon.
