Aldea is a proper grownup restaurant and likely on track to be a good one - well-designed space, a thoughtful menu by talented George Mendes, attentive service - but how does the bar side hold up?
We tried three cocktails and a very good cava from Mont Marcal ($11), something inexplicably difficult to find in this town. Drink-wise, the Shiprock, a mix of Plymouth gin, ginger syrup, orange blossom water and lemon, was pretty good and we could see it being popular with the ladies. The Inscription (Beefeater 24, St. Germain and Pernod Absinthe) was our first encounter with the new green tea infused Beefeater and wasn't entirely successful. We'd bet it would work better with a less off-the-wall gin. The Whimsy was a tasty mix of Bulleit Bourbon, agave, lemon and Fernet Branca. Cocktails are $12. The winelist is concise with well priced choices by the glass (generally $10 - $11) though constructed in our least favorite way, with wines by the glass listed in the main winelist amongst all the choices. Pull them out and put them on top folks...
These are the early days so the food experience was predictably a bit mixed - a terrific Arroz de Pato with duck confit, chorizo, olive and duck cracklings but underwhelming razor clams; great crisped pig's ears and ramps but the egg with bacalao didn't work as well. However, we look forward to going back once they settle a bit. And for that duck rice.
Aldea
31 West 17th Street, 212-675-7223
We tried three cocktails and a very good cava from Mont Marcal ($11), something inexplicably difficult to find in this town. Drink-wise, the Shiprock, a mix of Plymouth gin, ginger syrup, orange blossom water and lemon, was pretty good and we could see it being popular with the ladies. The Inscription (Beefeater 24, St. Germain and Pernod Absinthe) was our first encounter with the new green tea infused Beefeater and wasn't entirely successful. We'd bet it would work better with a less off-the-wall gin. The Whimsy was a tasty mix of Bulleit Bourbon, agave, lemon and Fernet Branca. Cocktails are $12. The winelist is concise with well priced choices by the glass (generally $10 - $11) though constructed in our least favorite way, with wines by the glass listed in the main winelist amongst all the choices. Pull them out and put them on top folks...
These are the early days so the food experience was predictably a bit mixed - a terrific Arroz de Pato with duck confit, chorizo, olive and duck cracklings but underwhelming razor clams; great crisped pig's ears and ramps but the egg with bacalao didn't work as well. However, we look forward to going back once they settle a bit. And for that duck rice.
Aldea
31 West 17th Street, 212-675-7223
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