Truthfully, Dovetail was an accident. I’d originally picked a Thai restaurant for our first dinner in NYC. Upon scrutiny, however, it was clear that the previously selected restaurant wouldn’t really stand up to my expectations for our anniversary trip. So I set about finding a decent restaurant near our final stop of the day -- the American Museum of Natural History.
It didn’t take long to find out that Dovetail was widely loved and respected. So I booked away without looking too closely at the menu. I figured we’d be too jetlagged to really appreciate anything truly gourmet, anyway.
Well, what an incredible surprise! From the moment we walked in the door it was clear that Dovetail was a contemporary foodie gem. We led with an amuse bouche that I cannot exactly recall. But they were really great - especially the shrimp with saffron oil. The amuse bouche were accompanied by a delightful cornbread (seemingly with a hint of pumpkin or some similar spice).
Tina and I shared two appetizers for the first course: spring greens ravioli (with clams) and chicken/foie gras terrine. Both really stunning dishes with complex flavors that just slowly emerged with each bite.
For the main course Tina had the halibut confit (magnificent) while I had the lamb loin (pictured above). While I’d be remiss to not point out that the fish and lamb were prepared to perfection, it was the “carrot cake crepe” that came with my dish that really stood apart. It was a very thin crepe stuffed with root vegetables, cream cheese, spice, and some grapes. The result was singular, restrained, yet truly alive.
We were meant to skip desert but, under protest, we tried their signature brioche bread pudding (with bacon brickle). That was not a mistake -- the dish was incredible. Sweet and savory flavors mixed playfully, enhanced by the comforting warmth of the pudding. It’s one of the best deserts I’ve every had -- and I’m no fan of bread pudding!
The food, alone, begs for a return visit. But it was the staff that really made the experience whole. From bussers to managers, we were graciously looked after. Our server was enthusiastic without being falsely familiar; she genuinely seemed to believe in the menu and her suggestions were all wonderful.
So, the next time you’re in New York, make a reservation at Dovetail. We’ll see you there.
★★★★★
103 W 77th St
New York, NY 10024
(212) 362-3800