PARADOU

I'll be catching up a little in the next few posts.  Its not that we haven't gone out or that the restaurants are not up to a review, we've just been too darn ___________ (you fill in the blank).

PARADOU

8 Little West 12th Street
between 9th and Washington Ave.
NYC, NY 10014
212-463-8345
www.paradounyc.com
Weeknights for dinner only
Weekends for brunch, lunch and dinner

I have realized lately that some still think of French food as heavy with creams and sauces.
And while it is some of that it is also a whole lot more.

Clean flavors, delicate seasonings that let natures palette shine through. That is Paradou.

So I'll start with this little gem on Little West 12th Street.  Some French Riviera on the Hudson River.

The decor is French Provence and so is the menu.  Table tops from wine crates, very high ceilings, a garden in the back and very relaxed.  You will hear a lot of French spoken here by your fellow patrons (always a good sign)

Annie started with a glass of Champagne and I had a glass of house rose from Provence.
We decided on a dinner of appetizers,  making our own tasting menu.

So here we have a Lobster roll without the roll . . .

A fabulous bowl of mussels with broth which we did drink out of the bowl (we used spoons) . . .

Foie Gras Brule . . .

Nicoise salad for me  . . .

Decadant Duck for Annie . . .

I am a fan of French cuisine.  And this place is a prime example of good French food.  Not a heavy sauce in sight!

Bottom line -
Great place for a date or just to meet friends.  Nice garden in back.  Off the river and a few blocks from the HighLine.
Dinner with drinks and tips was about $150.  We used a Savored reservation and got 30% off the bill.
Yes I will be eating here again with or without the discount.

The Mermaid Oyster Bar

The Mermaid Oyster Bar
79 MacDougal Street
New York City, NY 10012
212-260-0100
www.mermaidinn.com

First the decor greets you.  Like a beach front restaurant on MacDougal Street.  

White paint, shore photos, retro milk glass light fixture and a perfectly sized bar.  

This is Greenwich Village where spaces are small.  

I'm glad they resisted the temptation to cram another table in, 

achieving cozy over crowded even when full.  

We sat at a small booth table in the first room.  

They have a another room not visible from the entry.  

The staff is very attentive without being annoying.  

We started with cocktails.  

Proseco for Annie and a Legend of Zarro for me.  

Tequila, passion fruit, chipote and lime.  

Tasted like Blood Orange sherbet. Yum!

For appetizers Annie ordered a half dozen little neck clams 

with a special limited harvest oyster topped with fresh ceviche.  

It was beautifully presented on a bed of ice.  

Its oyster season and oysters took up a large part of the appetizer menu, 

east coast and west coast with great descriptions of each individual flavor.  

I opted for the grilled calamari with mushroom over lightly dressed frissee.  

Lemony without being too tart and very good.

Annie had a lobster sandwich served on griddled brioche bun with old bay seasoned french fries.  

I had mermaid fish taco.  The lobster was lightly dressed and
had nice size pieces of lobster on a tender roll.  

My fish tacos were very well made, heavy on fish and again dressed just right to let the fish shine.

We were fully satisfied and asked for a check.  

It came with 2 little espresso cups with chocolate pot au creme topped with whip cream.  

A few bits of sweet to seal the deal.  A perfect ending to a great seafood dinner. 

Sometimes restaurants over use flavor and it becomes the star of the plate.  

At Mermaid Oyster Bar everything was dressed and seasoned so delicately 

that the main ingredient is supported by a cast of flavors 

that let it shine like the fresh diva she truly is.  

I will definitely be back.

Bottom line -
Food bill with 2 cocktails, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, tax and tip was $130.00.
The oysters can be pricey but they do have a happy hour that includes all those bivalves at deep discount and a very comfy bar to enjoy them at, with a cocktail of course.

Good for romantics, double dates, birthdays, girls night out.
Sorry boys no big screen LCD.  Conversation is the order of the day here.
We dined on November 15, 2012