Along a tree-lined block in Manhattan, twenty or thirty people are having the best meal of their lives. The lighting sets a warm glow that sparks a mood of intimacy, inspiring romance and epiphanies alike. There is never a line or a wait to be seated, and there is no pretense at the door. Diners are greeted with genuine, heart-felt smiles that make any and everyone feel at home. The service here makes your senile grandmother feel like she is young and remembers everything; it makes your catty college friend who works in PR forget about her blackberry and start talking in a normal pitched voice.
The menu truly offers up something for everyone. Hearty fare and light dishes mingle with each other throughout. However, if you don’t see something that calls to you, there won’t be a problem. Your waiter will gladly make any changes or substitutions. Want your tuna made the way the chef has chosen to prepare the pork? Alright. Prefer splitting an entrée as your appetizer and then going for a few appetizers as your main? The staff won’t be thrown off in the least.
They also won’t hover or rush you. But they will refill your water glass just when you start to run a little too low. They are by your side if you think of something you need and they are invisible if your focus is fixed on your dining partner. You can linger as long as you’d like or dash in for a quick dinner one-two-three. Prices aren’t high, and neither is the noise level. The chef comes out each night and greets his patrons. His food is delicious. You’ll clean every plate but you won’t feel full or weighed down. You’ll want to go dancing or take a walk; the food leaves you elated. The wine list prices bottles at cost, or you can bring your own bottle if there isn’t one you like or want to try.
The chef sends everyone home with a complimentary muffin or brioche for the morning to remind you of your sweet evening. The perfection of the evening doesn’t translate into an event or a culinary outing; it simply rests in the realm of a good, comfortable, satisfying time. The restaurant has declined any honors and mentions in culinary circles so as to maintain the specialness of the experience. It’s almost impossible to imagine that a place like this exists in our city, and even after visiting, you’ll feel like it’s been a dream.
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