Tag Archives: madison square park

L&W Oyster Co

1 Jan

I joined an old coworker for lunch right near my NYC office at a brand new place, L&W Oyster Co (on 5th Ave between 28th and 29th). I think it had been open for just a few weeks.

The menu was a bit different from what is posted online, so here was the lunch meeting from a couple weeks ago:

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The restaurant is quirky, small, and fun.

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With magnetic poetry on the walls.

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And place mats explaining some of their favorite oysters (though not what is on the menu).

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My ex-coworker started with the clams.

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And I got a selection of the three oysters on the menu and we shared some large shrimp cocktail. (All the fresh seafood was very good and very fresh)

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And we were delighted to be given a pack of their homemade goldfish crackers.

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They were mildly spicy and baked to a perfect crispy.

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Steve got The Popeye with steamed mussels, chorizo, spinach, white wine, and gigantic beans. I couldn’t try it due to the chorizo, but he really enjoyed his meal.

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I got the Clam on Clam action which came with a clamwich (fried clams, tarter sauce, and pickled shisito peppers, which I asked to not have due to the my allergy) and some chowdah (brooklyn clam chowder, brooklyn lager, corn nuts, and house cured pancetta).  Before my meal made it in front of me, our waiter realized that my clamwich still included the peppers, so back into the kitchen that went.  But I got to start on my chowdah and quinoa (which was tasty).  I really loved this chowdah.  Creamy without being too heavy, good clam flavor, and the corn nuts and pancetta in it were just perfect.

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And when my clamwich (with salt & vinegar potato chips… YUM!) came out, I enjoyed that it was on a parker house roll roll.  It was a nice fluffy foil for the crunchy clam strips (though I wish they were more clamy in flavor).  The sandwich was good, but not as good as the chowdah.

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We also ordered some coffee (gotta love a French Press).

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And tried their sorbet of the day, which I can’t remember the exact flavor, but I remember it being some sort of citrus, and it was especially delicious. Great flavor and texture.  Really great end to the meal.

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I was impressed by our entire lunch here and think it’s a great lunch spot.  Nothing was among the best of that dish I have ever had, but everything was solidly tasty and I like what they’ve got going on.

Total Nom Points: 6.5 out of 10

nomscale- 06.5

Shake Shack in Madison Square Park

4 Jan

I’ve been fortunate enough to try Shake Shack in Citi Field (the new Mets stadium) a few times.  Everyone always seemed a little disappointed by the menu options, however, I had never been to the original in Madison Square Park, so I was none the wiser.

The original is located in the park at the corner of Madison Ave and 23rd Street.  It has a line so long that there is an online streaming video camera set up so you can determine if it’s even worth showing up!  I have never braved the line before, however, one cold wintery day, my coworker and I decided to take advantage of the short line and make a go of it.  Boy was it worth it!

She recommended I order the Shake Stack, which is a Shake Shack cheeseburger with their Shroom Burger on top (crispy portobello FILLED with melted muenster and cheddar cheeses with lettuce, tomato, and Shack Sauce.  It was one big (and tasty!) burger.  We also got a chocolate peanut butter malt and decided to forego the fries.  Oh was that heavenly!

Overall, I’d even wait on line for this thing if I want to be indulgent! Though I’m sure it’s a heart attack and a half!

Total Nom Points: 7 out of 10