To celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year, Lewis used his friendship with the Managing Director of Red Barn Restaurant (and Decoy Restaurant nearby). Lewis also knows the chef. They compelled the reservationist to give us a perfect table, despite a full night of bookings. Dining on the day after New Year's Eve made the place slightly less crowded. The chef generously saved a whole Peking Duck from Decoy for us! It was a great surprise!
We shared the night with our Shanghaiese friend, Diana. The host anticipated us, assuring us that our booth was ready and apologizing that Lewis' friend was working at the other location. (Shucks, that meant the box of macrons we bought for him would have to be eaten by us).
The trendy bartender offered a special concoction for the holiday, with thyme, gin, and ginger. He even gave me another for free, thanks to my effusive praise.
Reminiscent of our journey to Japan, this establishment's restroom offers a warmed bidet. Classy! A restroom is always a clear indicator of kitchen cleanliness.
Sipping cocktails, our trio selected Spring Rolls (shaped like palm trees)...
dumplings shaped like Pac-Man ghosts, and crab-filled fried dumplings resembling stingrays! Whimsical and clever!
For dinner, we savored steamed Codfish in chili blackbean sauce...
The duck was SUPERB! Started with shots of Consommé, its thinly sliced skin was crisp perfection and the succulent meat was so flavorful. An unexpected surprise, Lewis' friend gifted the $85.00 duck entree to us!
At all times, our smiley waiter was gregarious and unobtrusively efficient. Three staff members attended to us.
For dessert, their Panna Cotta was just the way Lewis loves it: jiggly and firm. Assorted phyllo cups of mousse rounded things out nicely.
It was truly a night of unexpected gifts! At Elk Cafe, around the corner, we popped in for a digestive espresso. The turtlenecked Chinese barista gave us a complimentary vegan chocolate chip cookie! Baked lovingly by two women at Ovenly in Brooklyn (who met at a Book Club), it was a sweet way to end our Lunar New Year celebration.
So many prosperous signs indicative of the upcoming year!
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