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Contra, NYC


I got so busy with my Parisian posts that I forgot to write about my dinner at Contra a couple of weeks ago.  This restaurant, which opened in 2013, was totally not on my radar, so I was glad to try it when my son chose it as a place for his birthday dinner.  We booked it two weeks in advance since it does get a bit difficult to get in with shorter notice, and walk-ins usually get seated at the bar, which was not optimal.

Contra is located on a fairly quiet section of Orchard street, one that has yet to be filled with boutiques, coffee shops, and a hip ice cream/crepe/pho/dumpling place.


The pleasantly designed, and intimately lit restaurant is long and narrow, with exposed brick, concrete floors, wooden tables, and an open kitchen.


The tasting menu changes every few days, and includes six courses ($74), with an option of adding cheese ($14) and wine pairing ($60).







The house-baked piping hot sourdough bread arrived in a bowl along with a separate butter dish and a wooden spreading knife.  Undeniably, I am a bread person who would not sell her soul to the devil just for any ordinary bread.  This small round beauty was outstanding; it had a lovely not overly sour flavor and a crust with a good crunch to it.



We began our evening with this lovely amuse bouche which was a crispy potato with creme fraiche, and salmon roe.


Delicious and paper thin.


Each dish was described in great detail as it was being placed in front of us, which showed respect for the customer but also great pride and care in the food being served.



First course - Fennel, bay scallop, and celeriac.  These small leaves reminded me of the beautiful and enormous lotus leaves in Ueno Park in Tokyo.



Second course - crab, black trumpet, vin jaune


I loved the super thin slices of kohlrabi which covered the crab meat and mushrooms.


Third course - striped bass, shishito (pepper), and onion.


The striped bass had a wonderful but subtle flavor.


Fourth course - guinea hen, squash, and persimmon


Perfectly crispy skin and outstanding broth.


Dessert -  honey ice cream, lemon meringue pieces, lime foam, and small bits of dry pear.



A wonderfully light, delicious and refreshing dessert.


Second dessert - grape granita, hazelnut.


The granita had a great crystalline texture, tasted like a sophisticated version of Italian ices, and nicely complemented the hazelnut paste.


My all time favorite tasting menu experience was at OCD in Tel Aviv, but our meal at Contra was really creative, well balanced, and delicious.  They change the menu every few days; it's best to check their website for the current offerings.

They take a credit card number at the time of booking, and have a fairly strict cancellation policy; no shows, or cancellations without a 24 hour notice get charged $74 - which can be applied to a future visit.

Contra
138 Orchard Street
Tuesday - Saturday - 6-10
closed Sunday and Monday

Joanna



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