 Bar Tartine Restaurant Review: This stylish, rustic restaurant from the owners of celebrated Tartine bakery underwent a transformation in early 2011 as chef Nick Balla (O Izakaya Lounge, Nombe) replaced Chris Kronner. Though generally known for his Japanese cooking, Balla helped steer Bar Tartine into an entirely new territory: Eastern European cuisine (think Budapest and Copenhagen). Earthy flavors abound. Try a selection of pickles (cucumber, radish or the delicate trumpet mushroom) before moving on to chopped chicken liver, egg and pickled fiddlehead ferns on rye, or goat meatballs with spinach, chili and garlic. The dinner menu may seem unfamiliar but you'll be charmed by dishes such as halaszle (rock cod, Hungarian wax pepper, broth, purslane and fennel) and gulyas (brisket, wine, caraway broth, whole-wheat bread and marrow). The wine list is deep and worldly; desserts mimic the dinner menu and have a delicate eastern European touch. Lunchtime counter service offering high-end sandwiches, snacks and some baked goods is available midday Wednesday through Sunday.
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