Restaurant Review : Bread & Tulips then drinks at Gramercy Park Hotel

  

     Last night, Lewis and and I were on the prowl for a new dining experience.  And we successfully found it at the succulently great place, Bread & Tulips.  How we've missed this gem on our radar for the last 2 years (that's how old it is) is breathtaking, but we loved it so much that I wanted to "spread the word".  A man that I respect very much, Danny Meyer, would've been impressed with their hostess, Jennifer, who answered the phone--bright and chipper at 11am--to take my "day of" reservation.  She announced her name when answering the call.  I gave mine, and (as a slight testament to her skill) she remembered it at the end of our chat, when she took my #... unlike so many other customer service phone interaction we've all had.  Its a small thing, but it declares "attention to detail" and "I'm really listening to you".  

     Delayed by MTA subway, we arrived fashionably late, but our banquette was still ready for us.  I have to tell you that I loved the space: the real candlelight, dimmed incandescent bulbs, all the handsome wood!  I picture myself having a dining room table made out of that lovely grained wood.  Good music, too.  

     Beyond the street-level hostess podium, the bar room and restaurant is downstairs.  They have bud vases of tulips everywhere!  So cute.  Hannah, our illustrious waitress, was a dream.  She was smiley, sincerely willing to help, and worked in conjunction with the food runner, busboys, and dining room Floor Manager to make sure our meal was seamlessly served.  When my leather-trimmed sport coat's sleeve knocked my fork on the floor--and I thought I'd make the faux-pas of retrieving it--another server cheerily prevented me and picked it up for me, then brought me a new one on a wicker tray.  Again, such a nice touch.  

     On to the food!  They serve great bread: soft focaccia and "peasant bread" with crusty exterior... both great for dipping in your bowl of tasty olive oil.  The often-replenished bowl of bright-green olives had a unique citrus/spicy glaze.  Another nice touch was a small, handled dish for spitting your olive pits into.  

     We shared stuffed calamari (the diced sausage/herbs was so fine), which was nicely charred and floated on a calamari tomato sauce.  Pizza is made in-house within a nearby oven.  

We also ordered a pasta entree as another appetizer: black tagliatelle with squid, house-made chorizo and mouth-watering seasoning and broth.  This was washed down with Hannah's favorite cocktail: cucumber/vodka/St. Germaine.   

     Next, we each ordered an appetizer of their homemade meatballs (we're gonna compare them with Frank Sinatra's favorites at Patsy's, next week), which were lean and succulent.  A perfect tomato sauce, fresh basil (one for each of the 3 meatballs), and just enough shaved cheese.  

     Our Barbera (a nice-to-find red wine) arrived just before our main courses.  Perfect.  For dinner, Lewis had the sea scallops (5.5 of them), which were accompanied by the most smokey (fresh off a fire) delicious sausages I've EVER had!  Truly!  I was tempted to order a side dish of just THOSE SAUSAGES.  My dinner of veal saltimbocca was uniquely presented with some pancetta and sage leaves, over cubed red potatoes.  We traded forkfuls and loved both!

     For dessert, they had 8 choices for sorbet or gelato, and Lewis picked passionfruit.  I had Hannah's favorite: chocolate/hazelnut tart with hazelnut gelato.  After paying the check, we might've lingered at the trendy bar for a nightcap, but we were heading to another nearby spot for after-dinner drinks.

     In closing, if you're in the mood for a nicely-priced dinner (they offer 3-course prix fixe of $35), I'd enthusiastically suggest that you call up Jennifer at Bread & Tulip!  Ask for Hannah.