Hello my fellow tomatoes:
I must admit, I haven't tried any new restaurants of late. Sort of just been heading to the tried and true places in the hood. You know where you're going and you know what you're going to order. Some comfort involved with that, but it does get kind of dull sometimes.
That all changed last week when I had a new dining experience at a massive new place on lower Madison Avenue.
I noticed this spot when I was walking past it just a few days before. All of a sudden, something caught my eye as I strode past the restaurant. Was it the logo? Maybe.. . Was it peeking into the restaurant that stopped me? I took a few seconds to read the menu and make a mental note about where I was, and what the name of the restaurant was. I stored it into my computer like mind (not) and of course promptly forgot about it.
A few nights later, for Ricks' birthday I had planned to take him to a place that I thought he would really like. He asked for a lobster dinner last year, and I didn't deliver, so I thought this would be as good a time as any. There was a "lobster festival" going on with the Patina restaurant group, and after careful consideration, I chose the touristy, but nicely situated Sea Grill at Rock Center.
The late afternoon was beautiful, I thought we could sit outside and enjoy the requested crustacean. Well, you know what they say about plans..
As dinner time approached, the skies turned greenish black, the wind kicked up, and we had another one of those major rain storms on our hands. Rick didn't quite feel like the Sea Grill, and when I asked about what kind of cuisine he would like, he replied, Indian.
That sparked the ole computer mind (again, not!) and I flashed back two days to passing the restaurant with the menu that I perused. I could not remember the name, but somehow knew it started with a P. How much do we love Zagat? When I went on line and went down the list of P Restaurants, and found Pranna, the place I had just passed a few days before, I was very satisfied. Pranna not only features the cuisine of India, it also features flavors from Thailand, Vietnam,Laos and Cambodia.
We were able to get a reservation and off we went. Pranna boasts 15,000 square feet of space, accommodating 1,000 people for events, providing one of the coolest bar scenes in New York, as well as an eclectic dining experience. The space is truly beautiful. Enormous, but truly beautiful.
We were seated right by the window and had fun looking at the intriguing menu.
We started with seared diver scallops in a tamarind and blood orange reduction, and steamed chili mint mussels, two appetizers to share.
Normally I drink wine with dinner, but their innovative cocktails called to me. I ordered something called a Bengal Tiger. It was infused with ginger and vodka with caramelized ginger pieces placed on the rim. It was so yummy and refreshing, with a tangy bite, that I had to go for two.
We shared Six Spice Crusted Rack of Lamb with Massaman curry sauce, that was quite delicious. And dessert was a mixture of sesame ice cream, chocolate crunchies, and chocolate sauce. Everything we tried had terrific spicing and we enjoyed the food greatly.
My only complaint is that the food was a bit tepid in temperature. All of the dishes could have been hotter. But the flavors of each of the dishes served were delicious.
As we left that night, ropes were set up outside the restaurant indicating a jumping scene was about to take place. There is a DJ that mixes the music, and there even appeared to be a bouncer. Pranna obviously serves a lot of purposes. It is a great spot for any party, a fun place to hang at the bar and taste some really innovative cocktails, and also a place to go to enjoy a delicious meal. If you go, be sure to say hello to Ian, the very pleasant manager. Pranna is located at 79 Madison Avenue on the corner of 28th street. www.prannarestaurant.com
See what can happen when you are just passing by....
Till next week Tomatoes...
Happy 4th...
Valerie
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Valerie Smaldone
Media Personality, Actress, Producer, Writer
Valerie Smaldone, a 5 time Billboard Magazine Award winner, is perhaps best known for her unprecedented success holding the #1 position in the New York radio market as the midday host of New York’s 106.7 FM. She ended her on air run with the station at the end of 2007.
Presently, Valerie can be heard on NBC Network News promos and specialty shows and as the announcer for The Boomer Esiason Show on MSG. And she can be seen on The Italian American Network, where she produces and interviews prominent Americans. Valerie has been the “Voice of God” and on stage emcee for Broadway on Broadway in Times Square, Broadway Under the Stars, and Broadway Meets Country.
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