Wine 30

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Wine 30
41 East 30th Street (b/w Park and Madison Aves)
New York, New York
(212)481-0197
http://www.wine30nyc.com/


WHAT WE ORDERED:

Drink:

• A bottle of Nieto Senetiner Reserva 2009 Malbec (excellent!)

Appetizers:

• Zucchini Pancakes w/cucumber-dill yogurt sauce ($8 - below, on the left) - At first appearance, the zucchini pancakes appeared too mushy but they were actually perfectly crispy. On its own, the pancaske is a little too salty, but with the cucumber-dill yogurt dip, the dip cuts the saltiness and the mix of the 2 flavors together was a HIT! I would recommend grabbing this appetizer.

• Beef Sausage Lollypops wrapped in Roasted Red Pepper ($9 - above, on the right) - OMG, do NOT waste your money on this appetizer! This dish tasted like they walked out and crossed the street to the nearest deli to pick up some random beef sausage and a generic jar of roasted red peppers and slapped the 2 together on a skewer to serve to people. Yuck! It's completely un-creative and the 2 flavors did not MESH well together at all! It was mostly horrific to eat together. Meh!

• Tomato, garlic, arugula, sundried tomato, olive oil & shredded parmesan cheese Bruschetta ($6) - The mix of all these unique and complex flavors mixed very well together. However, they mixed in a fashion were it tasted like they were mushed together. The bread was overtoasted, or rather, quite bluntly burnt and that definitely killed the deliciousness of the bruschetta. I was not overly pleased. I think the bruschetta would have been much better if my bread hadn't been burnt and the ingredients for the toppings were freshly tossed together versus being mushed together and sitting for hours in a fridge awaiting an order from a patron. It was also, as noted a very expensive appetizer as you only get 2 pieces of bruschetta for $6. A little excessive if you plan on burning my bread.

Main Entrees:

• Mike - Red wine seared Hanger Steak w/creamy polenta & sauteed spinach ($19) - Cooked perfectly (medium rare). The polenta & sauteed spinach were also cooked very well. Each individual flavor was delicious and together an absolute delight. I'll admit the initial taste of all 3 flavors together was a little odd but the after flavor that lingers in your mouth demands that you continue to take more bites! This dish paired perfectly with the Malbec. Excellent!

• Sherry - Garlic-Ginger Shrimp Salad w/black beans, tomato, tortilla strips, chihuahua cheese and cilantro-lime dressing ($18) - The shrimps (5) were a perfect serving as they were very large shrimp. The salad was very refreshing, not overbearing or tasteless at all. The baby romaine w/black beans, tomatoes, tortilla strips and chihuahua cheese packed so much flavor that it absolutely required no dressing, in my opinion. There was a very light cilantro-lime dressing that was present but I don't think it would made a bit of a difference if it hadn't been on the salad. Ladies - if you are calorie counting, I highly recommend this dish, it is also perfectly portioned. =)

DESSERT:

• Caramelized Banana Bread Pudding ($7) - This was a very different take on bread pudding. I would say it tasted more like french toast pudding! It was, however, excellent! It was simply delicious and all the flavors tasted like a party in your mouth. =)
  

THE OVERVIEW:

The ambiance at this restaurant I would describe as very modern romantic. They also appear to have a backyard area which is most likely open during the warmer months. They are selling eclectic paintings and the ceiling is lined with wine corks (very unique!) The service staff was great, sweet, nice and accommodating. While I felt heavily disappointed by most of the appetizers, I feel like the main entrees were a definitely saving grace for this restaurant. I would definitely come back to try to the other dishes and would also recommend this restaurant to other friends and family members for a romantic dinner for 2 or just for a good meal.