April 29, 2016 | Food & Drink
From a California-meets-Mediterranean take on bread at Covina to decadent dumplings at tucked-away dinnertable, here’s what the Gotham team ate this month….
Hungarian fry bread at Covina (127 E. 27th St.). “This dish is a great example of the California-meets-Mediterranean theme in a number of the dishes at Covina. Here, the bread is perfectly fried and layered with smoked salmon, kefir ranch, and topped with fresh herbs. I'm going back and not sharing it next time.” –Bao Ong, Online Contributor
Gluten-free pasta with organic mushrooms, basil, and white truffle oil at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse (447 Lexington Ave.) “Since my sister has a gluten allergy, I’ve tried many gluten-free takes on pasta in my day. This iteration at Davio’s is impeccable in a true, ‘I can’t believe it’s not real pasta’ way. Organic mushrooms and basil combine with decadent white truffle oil and shaved cheese for a pasta that’s light yet satisfying. It’s part of their extensive gluten-free menu, which features multiple options for delicious starters, salads, mains, desserts, and, of course, more pastas.” –Cait Rohan, Online Executive Editor
Sheeps milk cheese-filled agnolotti at Lilia (567 Union Ave., Brooklyn). “Missy Robbins is one of my favorite chefs, so I was thrilled to finally check out her new Williamsburg spot, Lilia. The sheep’s milk cheese-filled agnolotti was the standout for me: the innovative sauce combines heady saffron, rich honey, and sweet, dried tomatoes. A truly one-of-a-kind dish that I'll be craving for months to come.” –Juliet Izon, Online Contributor
Organic butter, salt, and pepper mushroom tempura at Chinese Club (208 Grand St., Brooklyn). “I’m so glad I didn’t skip the mushroom tempura at Chinese Club in Williamsburg. The butter batter—plus salt, pepper, and scallions—was amazingly not heavy at all, even though it’s fried. I should’ve ordered double.” –Cindy Augustine, Online Contributor
Pickled ramp burger at Gotham Bar and Grill (12 E. 12th St.). “Since ramps are in season, I had to try the pickled ramp burger at Gotham Bar and Grill. It was heaven—a perfect combination of juicy meat with the kick of the ramps.” –Casey Brennan, Online Contributor
The dumplings at dinnertable (206 Avenue A). “The dumplings here are fluffy potatoes and pecorino cheese stuffed into a thick al dente pasta dough, smothered with tangy sauce, and sprinkled with fragrant dill and poppy seeds.” –Gabrielle Pedriani, Online Contributor
Lasagne al pesto e patate at La Sirena (88 Ninth Ave.). “If I'm going to eat Italian, it only makes sense to have a pasta specialty courtesy of Mario Batali—and his lasagne al pesto e patate at La Sirena certainly didn't disappoint. The texture of the soft noodles and firm potato slices in between the layers topped with the flavorful pesto made for the perfect dish.” –Jordi Lippe, Online Contributor
Chocolate Fondant at Beautique (8 W. 58th St.) “Adorned with a hearty drizzle of chocolate sauce, this flourless chocolate cake was paired with popcorn ice cream and topped with caramelized popcorn for a surprising and delectable twist on lava cake worth every single calorie.” –Rakhee Bhatt, Assistant Online Editor
