Double Crown
316 Bowery, New York, NY
You know that friend of yours who was really crazy in her twenties and went out clubbing every night, but then she got a boyfriend and sort of went off the grid, but now she’s single again and looking to party? Yeah, that girl goes to Double Crown like, all the time.
Double Crown is a bar and restaurant where people who have outgrown the club scene hang out. At least this crowd knows it and doesn’t still wait in line outside of Greenhouse on the weekends. Or maybe they do, but they just eat here first. Either way, the place is a scene, but one with pretty good food. The short description of the menu at Double Crown is that it’s Colonial Asian, meaning the cuisine that resulted from British expansion into Southeast Asia. We’ll go ahead and just call it Pan-Asian, and we had some dishes that were very good. It’s a bit on the pricey side for sure, but the cheaper things on the menu tend to be the better choices, and the $35 Sunday Nyonya Dinner is a good deal. As for the atmosphere, the room basically looks like a west side mega-club with better lighting, but it’s tasteful and doesn’t feel too kitschy. I’m pretty sure this restaurant is exactly what Shang was supposed to be, just with customers and food that doesn’t taste like poison.
Food Rundown:
Salt and Pepper Squid
Essentially calamari, this wasn’t mind blowing, but it certainly didn’t suck either. We like the green chili dipping sauce.
Crispy Pork Belly
I hate to say it, but I think we’re starting to tire of pork belly. Yes it’s good, and Double Crown’s crispy belly is served in appropriately sized, tasty chunks, but it’s all starting to taste the same.
Duck Steamed Buns
Steamed buns are all over the place nowadays as well, but these were small rolled buns with duck and a really tasty hoisin sauce. Very good.
Apple, Lotus, and Lily Bulb Salad
A sweet apple salad with a kick, and nice crunch from the fried lotus. Definitely order one of these.
Seared Tuna
Small medallions of tuna served with a bonito custard and sweet sake sauce. This had nice flavor but didn’t overpower the tuna.
Prawn Dumplings
Possibly my favorite thing at Double Crown. These are big, plump dumplings served in a bowl of hot and sour broth. You can really taste the imperialism.
Grilled Strip Steak
This was fine, but definitely not one of our favorites. A little on the tough side.
Big Braised Short Rib
OK I’m no butcher, but I know a short rib when I see one. There is no way this is thing is anything other than the entire hind leg of an elephant. The meat falls right off the bone and it tastes really good, so I’m not complaining. I guess they just get good elephant.
