Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Landmarc: Not your Uncle Tony’s steakhouse

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When we decided to do a steakhouse this month, we really weren’t in the mood for the white-tableclothed heaviness that comes with $19 creamed spinach and waiters who look like they ACTUALLY could have known Sinatra.

Instead, we took to The Google and looked for a “non-steakhouse steakhouse” and landed on Landmarc in TriBeCa. Landmarc is not “new” but its promise of “contemporary bistro fare that blends French and Italian favorites in a decidedly cool space” had us intrigued. I walked in to find the girls at the bar enjoying martinis. In the time we waited for our table, the bartender didn’t so much as look in our direction let alone offer me a drink (even though we occupied 3 of the 7 seats) – but I’m not holding it against him…anymore…

Once seated, we tucked into a nice bottle of 2009 Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and started examining the menu. What’s really cool about the menu (other than it folded out!)
is that Landmarc offers both appetizer and entrée portions of pretty much everything. So, if you wanted to try the chicken liver cavatelli with caramel onions and bacon, but not order the entrée sized portion (like we did), you could do that. In addition to the chicken liver cavatelli (which was delish, rich but not too “irony” or heavy), we opted for the smoked mozzarella and ricotta fritters with fried zucchini and spicy tomato sauce and warm goat cheese profiteroles for appies. All great options – especially if you’re with a group.

 Since we were in it for the steak (see the grill that’s on the main dining room floor), we ordered the filet mignon with béarnaise sauce and the “Saturday Special” of Spaghetti alla Bolognese – which Christa described as “one of the best Bolognese sauces she’s ever tasted” (no disrespect Mama Conte!). We complemented our meals with sides of white beans, bacon and kale and Brussels sprouts. I’m told the Brussels sprouts were divine – but honestly – you could cover those suckers in Belgian chocolate and they would still taste like bitter gym socks to me! We were FAR too stuffed for dessert (I know…pains me to even write that) but they did offer homemade caramels with the check – which were the perfect ending to a really great meal.




















The TakeAway: Highly recommend Landmarc! Since I’m not a seafood lover, a true treat for me is a good filet mignon that melts the second it hits your tongue – and Landmarc did not disappoint!

Landmarc
179 West Broadway (between Leonard and Worth Streets)
New York, NY 10013
P 212.343.3883
F 212.343.3890
infotribeca@landmarc-restaurant.com 
http://landmarc-restaurant.com/