Walter Foods

Dinner at Walter Foods was meant to be. After spending the holidays practically tethered to my sweetie’s family, we were headed to the Grand Street haunt for our first solo meal in several days.  Upon walking into the classy, almost old-timey resto, whom did we see but good ol’ family—younger brother and sister-in-law sat sated in a small booth, finishing the last spoonfuls of a dessert special.  They’d had the same idea.

Their presence was fortuitous—saddled up at the bar drinking dark & stormy’s and bourbon cocktails, we got some ordering advice as we tagged out with them.

Fried Oysters were a special not to be forgone.  Six per order come resting in their shells on individual dollops of tangy tartar sauce.  Other stand-out apps were the blackened shrimp with a cool blue cheese dip.  We were less impressed with the grilled shrimp cocktail, but wowed to boot while devouring the lobster salad.  Lobster, Bibb lettuce, grapefruit, and avocado hide beneath a layer of outstanding creamy yet piquant dressing.  The salad, which comes with meat from one claw and what seems like the entire tail, is enough for a lighter meal—perhaps accompanied by a few sides.

Our favorites were the Brussels sprouts, which came very roasty, and the onion rings: light and crispy with a thick, rich dipping sauce that added to the decadence.  After all of this mid-sized grazing, splitting an entrée seemed prudent.  We chose the sea bass; it came on a tuft of wilted greens scattered with green olives and stewed tomatoes.  Besides being a little on the dry side, the dish was a great way to close out the savory portion of the meal.

We ordered another round of drinks—also a superb aspect of the meal—and chose the chocolate banana pudding as dessert.  Our waitress—just as she’d brought everything in the course of the evening—brought dessert in such a prompt and timely routine that the chocolate and cream were still bubbling hot.  While it cooled, we took a minute to look around and see, on what was supposed to be a slow night, how packed the house was and how happy each diner appeared to be.
Biting into the dessert, we couldn’t help but be happy, too, about Walter being in the neighborhood.