Bar Artisanal
268 W Broadway, New York, NY
As a true cheese-a-phob (that’s right people, aside from cheese on pizza and the occasional mild cheese sauce, I avoid the stuff like the plague), you can imagine my reaction to the suggestion of eating anywhere related to Artisanal, the Mecca of all things cheese. However, after some arm twisting, I found myself walking into its grand, high ceilinged, chandeliered sister restaurant, Bar Artisanal. Imagine my surprise to find that while it stays true to its namesake with an extensive selection of cheeses, Bar Artisanal offers an expansive variety of non-cheese options as well. So much so, that it took me multiple visits to taste enough of the non-fromage items to write a well rounded review. Both the food and the service can be hit or miss, but the good outweigh the bad at this small plates French bistro. I look forward to my next visit.
Food Rundown:
Manchengo Beignets
The only cheese I tried on the menu, these bite sized fried manchego squares, are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Served atop long skewers stuck inside a pile of salt, both the presentation and flavor are on point.
Cod
Damn Bar Artisanal, well flippin’ done. I’m a huge fan of cod. Seared, blackened, asian miso, whatever … it’s one of my favorite pieces of fish. This mix of fingerling potatoes, chorizo and cockles results in a dish that tastes like butter and cotton candy. I could eat this every day.
Arctic Char
The Cod’s an example of a hit, the Char, a miss. Overcooked, over-sauced and downright soggy, I couldn’t even finish this small helping. Next time I’m going Skate, Prawns or Octopus instead.
Duck Pizza
I had this once, ordered it again, and then ordered it a third time. I’m sure other pizzas on the menu are equally as good, but this rich pie of duck, featuring gizzard, confit, foie gras and a fried egg over a thin crispy crust is hard to resist.
Tuna, Orange, Olive, Crumb
The only complaint we have about these morsels of raw tuna served with orange zest and olive crumbs are that there aren’t more in a serving. We recommend you order two if you plan to share this with more than two people because everyone will want some.
Burger
Pleasantly surprising, The Artisanal Blend Burger is bad ass. A well constructed dose of beef, bistro style on a brioche bun with picked tomatoes, this juicy character can hold its own with some of the city’s best. Don’t sleep on it.
