Aretsky’s Patroon

We have said often that the best dining experience is when food, ambiance and service come together to create a magical experience. That doesn’t happen as often as we’d like, but it did when we visited Arestsky’s Patroon in NYC.

Two of our favorite authors, Stuart Woods and Linda Fairstein use Patroon in their books as the backdrop for dinners with their friends, so we thought we needed to try it.

The dining room is warm and inviting with hardwood floors, camel colored leather padded walls, wonderful booths and banquettes and stunning artwork. Tables are set with crisp linens, gleaming tableware and wonderful oversized wine glasses. The small bar tucked away off the dining room is cozy and intimate. There are stylish private rooms throughout the townhouse and in the warmer months there is a fantastic roof top bar.

We enjoyed a light and fresh baby lettuce and herb salad with lemon, olive oil, sea salt and manchego. Our entrees were a wonderful roasted chicken breast with a Parmesan crusted thigh with vermouth jus and pan roasted halibut with chanterelles, corn, saffron-onion and lobster yuzu butter. Paired with a crisp, 2014 San Giovanni Della Sala Orvieto Superiore Classico, it was a terrific meal. For dessert try the beignets with pumpkin butter and vanilla creme anglaise. Next time? Lamb tartare and jumbo crab cakesveal chop or Dover Sole.

As good as the food was and as cozy the atmosphere, the service was particularly extraordinary, led by the charming captain, Frenchman…Stephan. Much of the serving, whether for salads, carving a steak or de-boning a fish is done table side and Stephan is a master. We watched as he carved a steak for two and made two Baked Alaskas while keeping up a steady stream of humorous anecdotes. Great fun.

ROMANTIC QUOTIENT: This is a beautiful restaurant for a romantic evening.

WHAT OTHERS SAY…
Ken Aretsky’s “polished” East Midtown “business” “oasis” remains a place to “impress clients” with “well-prepared” American fare and “first-class service” in “men’s club” digs done up with “classic photos”; “especially nice” are the private rooms and roof bar, but just “watch out for those prices.” ZAGAT