Smith’s … Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

For our monthly get together, my friends and I ended up at a restaurant in the west village called Smith’s. Generally more of a Friday or Saturday night dinner locale, they are currently sporting a Monday and Tuesday Special… a salad, a sizzling whole chicken, two sides- polenta and mushrooms, and the largest chocolate mousse with homemade whip cream I’ve ever seen. If you’re confused, let me start over.

Smith’s recession special is a dinner for two; including all of the above for $35 dollars total. Everything is brought out portion for two on a plate for one and you have to split it yourself. Although not on the menu, it’s the first thing the waiter mentions... and let’s you know it’s plenty of food. How could you not?

Side Salad

Delicious. To spice up an ordinary side salad, this salad had yellow beets, string beans, olives, and carrots. It was not too filling and the perfect starter for a chicken dinner.

Sizzling Whole Chicken

The "chickies" as one dining partner so fondly referred to them as, came out on a metal “hot plate” sizzling and smelling great. As someone who generally doesn’t order chicken when out to eat at restaurants I was hesitant to order this dinner for two. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Everything about this chicken was perfection. The chicken was stuffed with bushels of rosemary and thyme and smelled sensational. There was no fat to be found but the skin was tasty and crispy and the meat was moist and savory. There was plenty of meat for both people(we each devoured our respective halves).

Baked Polenta and Sautéed Mixed Mushrooms

As an avid polenta maker, I’ll give this polenta an accredited nod. It came to the table in a casserole dish- just out of the oven. The top was browned and crisp but once your spoon broke through the first layer, the polenta was creamy and cheesy. It needed a little salt- but that’s an easily fixable problem. We were all left wanting more.

The mixed mushrooms came in all shapes and sizes and had good flavor and texture. They were simple, most likely sautéed with oil and salt and pepper but delicious none-the-less.

Chocolate Mousse

The dish came out the size of my head filled with creamy chocolate mousse and topped with homemade whipped cream and unsalted pistachio nuts. It wasn’t too chocolaty and fulfilled my after dinner sweet tooth.

This was a great deal- you can’t beat it and so tasty that I would go back on a different night and order off the regular menu.

Smith's
79 MacDougal StreetNew York, NY 10012
phone: 212.260.0100
http://www.smithsnyc.com/

Cabrito Mexican Restaurant...what a find

We could not have stumbled upon a better place for a quick bite in the west village. With an hour to kill, we left the Jazz club looking for something fast and easy. We found a Mexican “gem” in the west village where the vibe was lively and the hostess and wait staff friendly.

In a hurry, we opted to sit at the bar. Immediately we were asked our drink order and the bartender offered to let us sample the draft beer as we were not as familiar with the options. The bar was fully stocked and from across the room, I saw a small group of people drinking a pitcher of sangria. In short, there are options for everyone.

We ordered only a small sampling of what the menu had to offer starting with house-made guacamole and chips. The chips were served warm and the guacamole was tasty with the perfect amount of spice. It was not overpowering like guacamole where you can’t actually taste the avocado because all your senses are focused on the fire in your mouth. This guac was great, rivaling some of the better guacs I’ve tasted it in the city.

We then shared a Huraches which is an oval shaped, thick masa shell. We ordered Al Carbon, the seared skirt steak option. Good choice. The dish came open faced; the soft, thick shell on the bottom topped with perfectly seasoned seared skirt steak, lettuce, a thin- barely noticeable layer of re-fried beans, and a sour cream sauce. The steak was salty without being too salty and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The chef was a little heavy-handed with the Sour Cream sauce but I got over it quickly because the dish as a whole was really enjoyable.

I would go back in a heart-beat and am already trying to plan a Mexican night with my girl friends. The prices were reasonable, the food good, and the environment lively – a good place to start your night out...

50 Carmine Street, NEW YORK 10014 - 212/929.5050