I have visited Ethos two times in the past four months, which is out of character for me. I tend to like trying new places often, but sometimes it's just best to go with what you know. Ethos is a traditional Greek restaurant in Kips Bay. However, it is no diner. This is Greek dining at it's finest.
The first time I visited to Ethos was for my 25th birthday party in November with eight of my nearest and dearest. I chose Ethos because of it's vegetarian friendly options, reasonable prices, and willingness to accommodate nine people on less than two weeks notice (my bad). The second time I dined at Ethos I went with just my boyfriend for a date night.
There is no bar at Ethos so diners who are waiting for a table have to wait outside or get really friendly near the door. Luckily, the host seated the first to arrive from my party, which wasn't even me. Our table quickly filled up as did the rest of the restaurant. There is not a lot of space to move around in Ethos, so once you are sitting, I suggest staying seated. Favorite dishes from the many ordered were the appetizer plate of olives, the tsaziki sauce, and the fried calamari. We also enjoyed the eggplant dish, lamb kebab, and grilled jumbo shrimp. They also have fresh whole fish to chose from and an assortment of Greek wines and beers. Dessert is always on the house (or at least it was for me) and is a delicious Greek pastry filled with creamy goodness. It is even possible to escape from Ethos on a Saturday night after an hour and a half having spent much less than what you would at comparable Turquoise on the UES.
The great thing about going to Ethos is I know I will be greeted by friendly waiters and served delicious food. I definitely want to visit during the warmer months as they have two garage doors facing the street that I have a feeling will be open to let the cool evening breezes flow through the restaurant, making it feel even more like an escape to Greece (which I someday hope to actually do).
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Black Duck - Jazz in Gramercy Park
How does one decide where to dine for NYC restaurant week? There are so many options and so many great menus to chose from. I always use restaurant week as an opportunity to explore new dining options. The most recent NYC restaurant week this past January I decided to do just that. I looked at the list of participating restaurants, narrowed it down based on location and cuisine, then started researching. I chose Black Duck because it had something unique that I have been dying to experience in NYC since forever ago; live jazz!
Black Duck has live jazz musicians every Friday and Saturday night starting at 9:30pm for no cover charge. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me right, no cover charge (are we still in NYC?). You don't even have to eat dinner here to enjoy the jazz. You can sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail, or sit in one of the Queen Anne chairs up close and personal with the musicians while enjoying a bottle of wine with some friends. If jazz isn't your thing (how uncultured of you!) then enjoy classic James Bond movies playing on the flat screens at 8:00pm on Sunday nights. This is a classy place I tell you.
The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a restored 18th century brownstone, making it quintessentially NYC. It is connected to the Park South Hotel which resides in the brownstone and looks very swank. You can pick up some great discount coupons for Broadway shows and sightseeing tours in the lobby on your way to the restrooms, which are very well maintained I would like to add. I highly suggest reservations at Black Duck on the live jazz nights, even though the restaurant (until publishing of this post) remains a very well kept secret in NYC.
The food at Black Duck may have been overpowered by the amazing cabaret singer Lexy Casano. Everything was delightful save for two things. First, my fish portion from the regular menu (not the restaurant week prix fixe) was very small, even by normal serving size standards. Second, I ordered a white wine which the waitress poured into the red wine glass on the table, after she had placed the white wine glasses down. Then, after she poured, and I tasted, she removed the tasting glass, still with a fair amount of wine in it, and then poured into the empty white wine glass. Having worked in the restaurant business before, if I had made this mistake I would have asked the diner if she would like to hold on to the tasting glass until she was finished. Regardless, the wine lasted well past when we finished our food which left us a great excuse to linger at our table and listen to more jazz.
I will definitely be returning to Black Duck again, if not just for the jazz music. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys less conversation and more music while dining.
Black Duck has live jazz musicians every Friday and Saturday night starting at 9:30pm for no cover charge. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you heard me right, no cover charge (are we still in NYC?). You don't even have to eat dinner here to enjoy the jazz. You can sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail, or sit in one of the Queen Anne chairs up close and personal with the musicians while enjoying a bottle of wine with some friends. If jazz isn't your thing (how uncultured of you!) then enjoy classic James Bond movies playing on the flat screens at 8:00pm on Sunday nights. This is a classy place I tell you.
The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a restored 18th century brownstone, making it quintessentially NYC. It is connected to the Park South Hotel which resides in the brownstone and looks very swank. You can pick up some great discount coupons for Broadway shows and sightseeing tours in the lobby on your way to the restrooms, which are very well maintained I would like to add. I highly suggest reservations at Black Duck on the live jazz nights, even though the restaurant (until publishing of this post) remains a very well kept secret in NYC.
The food at Black Duck may have been overpowered by the amazing cabaret singer Lexy Casano. Everything was delightful save for two things. First, my fish portion from the regular menu (not the restaurant week prix fixe) was very small, even by normal serving size standards. Second, I ordered a white wine which the waitress poured into the red wine glass on the table, after she had placed the white wine glasses down. Then, after she poured, and I tasted, she removed the tasting glass, still with a fair amount of wine in it, and then poured into the empty white wine glass. Having worked in the restaurant business before, if I had made this mistake I would have asked the diner if she would like to hold on to the tasting glass until she was finished. Regardless, the wine lasted well past when we finished our food which left us a great excuse to linger at our table and listen to more jazz.
I will definitely be returning to Black Duck again, if not just for the jazz music. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys less conversation and more music while dining.
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