Friday, February 13, 2015

Dinner #1 - The Black Ant

The Black Ant is an overly adequate restaurant without a single, significant appeal or broad dining friendliness. Nothing is wrong at the Black Ant, but nothing is really right. Are you looking for a tremendous tequila list managed by a team that knows the list well? Head over to Mayahuel. Would you like inventive tacos made with top-flight ingredients? Hey, Empellon Tacqueria is nearby. Looking for innovative Mexican cuisine in a great environment? Fonda is just a bit to the east.

So what exactly was wrong with the Black Ant? Nothing was “wrong” yet little felt right. First, we entered on a cold February evening with the Black Ant offering no place to hang coats. This is not a quick-serve establishment but a full normal restaurant. So our booth had four heavy coats slung over the backs where, undoubtedly, the collar-ends must have been annoying to the fine folks in the adjacent booth.

Second, we had a vegetarian with us looking for an appropriate option. The “vegan” entrée included chapulin, or grasshoppers. That caused an awkward situation.

Third, the goat entrée special offered no gaminess or distinctiveness. This adequately cooked piece of meat could have been lamb or even beef. The Black Ant feels like Midtown coming to the East Village.


Food highlight – the drunken monkey is a silly, spring break name for a delicious and interesting dessert.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Restaurants for 2015

I have my highly-anticipated list of 2015 restaurants ready. Already a month behind, let's see if I can get to all 12 in 2015. Bon Appetit.

  1. Maison Premiere (holdover from 2014)
  2. Delaware & Hudson
  3. Ivan Ramen
  4. Black Ant
  5. SriPraPhai (holdover from 2014)
  6. Xi'An Fine Foods (holdover from 2014)
  7. Luksus
  8. Bunker
  9. Pies & Thighs
  10. Paulie Gee
  11. Semilla
  12. Thirty Acres