everyone remembers rocco dispirito - the arrogant chef who partnered with legendary restauranteur jeffrey chodorow to open rocco's - aka "the restaurant" from the TV show that documented its building/opening. other than leaving behind the legacy of
mama's meatballs (which really are delicious), rocco kinda dwindled away (probably for the best - his boyish good looks couldn't live up to his ginormous ego, and he's short).
since rocco's, the space hasn't garnered much attention. it transitioned to another restaurant, caviar & bananas, i think was the name - whatever marketing person thought of that name should be fired.
more recently, it became borough food & drink. i believe the idea was to serve NYC-style cuisine using local ingredients as well as sell those same favorites. i think it even had a market at some point. i'm not sure if the local ingredients have been a success, or if the restaurant is a success at all, but there's something about it...
let's start with my likes (besides the fact that you can always get a reservation and it's not outrageously expensive):
1. our server was actually passionate about some of the dishes. when the guy we had dinner with ordered the borough steak, our server actually said, "it's just your average strip steak," to dissuade him from ordering it (our dining companion still ordered the steak, and he said it was good). he recommended a salted caramel sundae that was delish.
2. the cocktails on the front page are not that creative (especially in this era of creative cocktails), but they're good.
3. it's bustling without being crowded. and the music is good.
4. the host - he's hipster-dorky (that should say it all).
my dislikes:
1. it took 23 minutes for my passionate server to bring me my cocktail.
2. the pool table area in the back.
3. the hipster-slow service (what is sorta hot in the host is completely unattractive in a server).
but i still would go back. it's close enough to my apartment. the burger is good. it has mac n cheese as a side dish (the first time i had it, it was really good; this time, it needed salt). and i like a server who's really into the dishes... it helps an indecisive person like me.
borough food & drink (CLOSED)
12 east 22nd street btwn broadway/park ave
new york, ny 10010
212/260.0103
note: this restaurant is closed.
much to my S.O.'s dismay, the bottle is a screw-top, but the wine is outstanding (and inexpensive!!). it's super crispy, light-medium bodied with citrus, green apple and floral flavors and minerally finish that's just yum. i haven't mastered the wine pairing with food, but this went just fine with my artichoke salad (good not great), braised veal breast (loved the mushrooms and sweetbread, veal was good but overly rosemaried) and potato gnocchi side dish (amazingly delicious and light) at hearth. so a shout-out to our waitress who highly recommended it.