Mike's Bistro — Restaurant in New York

4 1/2 stars

After spending a good chunk of the last half year eating at some pretty overrated establishments in the Financial District, I finally supped at a Manhattan restaurant that deserved the hype. Mike's was the site of a business dinner this past Thursday night, and I can see why so many reviews also reference that type of event - it's a fairly intimate restaurant that's loud enough where you don't have to worry about other tables listening to you, but quiet enough where you can have conversations with colleagues pretty easily. It also helped that we were off in a side area that was a little more private. Full disclosure - I can't envision too many scenarios where I would buy food this expensive, even for a one-off, celebratory dinner. Especially with my recent recon work in Rockland County, it's clear that Kosher food has a huge markup for whatever reason (The prep work required? Because they can? Who can say.) but this was pretty nuts. Even when I go to a non-Kosher, higher-end steakhouse - Liberty Prime in Jersey City comes to mind - you're getting expensive dishes but it's more in the range of $50 or $60. When the food you're eating is teetering into triple-digit territory? Eh. The price tag starts to get distracting to my palate. But...not my money this time!

I'd taken a gander at the menu a few days beforehand (not knowing if we were getting a specialty catering/party menu) and immediately was intrigued by the lamb dumplings ($34). It was also clear that the short ribs ($85) had a strong reputation, so those were top agenda items going in. Thankfully we got a bunch of different items from that menu so the research came in handy. I was a big fan of the Signature Tuna Poke Nachos ($43) that showed up almost immediately - if there hadn't been tons of other edible distractions I would have focused more on that. Very creamy and fresh, and the added bonus of not being too messy; nacho dishes tend to disintegrate right before they get in my mouth, but this app had the courtesy of waiting a few extra seconds before destroying itself.

Some of my compatriots knew about my lamb dumpling preference and immediately alerted me to their presence on the other end of the table. (Hashtag not all heroes wear capes.) Honestly? I couldn't decide if I really liked them. It was a fascinating taste but my gut said there were too many cooks in the kitchen, so to speak - the lamb was delicious but I thought the spiced hibiscus tea gave it an overwhelming perfume-y vibe, which made me think they didn't trust the lamb to sell itself. It was warmly received on the whole, so that may be a minority opinion. The short ribs were excellent - $85 excellent? Debatable. One characteristic of these expensive dishes is that you don't feel disgusting after eating them. The ribs (despite literally being a hunk of animal meat) were very light and tender, so even after demolishing them in about three minutes I was still feeling frisky. The only item I had that I legitimately was a little disappointed in was the sweet yam fritters (I think $19) - great concept in theory, but they seemed a little bland and REALLY needed the sweeter fruit-like sauce that came with it. I'm not sure if that was more about the yam itself or the coating being too thick and taking away from the yam, but I was left wanting more from that.

The service was top-notch. We definitely got special VIP-like treatment here so I can't say it's indicative of a normal dine-in experience, but I'll take it. The waitstaff was always nearby to fill up wine or water glasses without seeming oppressive or lurking right in the background, which is a tough balancing act.

Would I come back with my own wallet? Eh, not sure. But I would DEFINITELY let someone else finance an...

a day ago • my guest reported: I am given to non-stop complaining when travel is involved but, in my limited defense, I gather "difficulties" like freckles blooming in sunlight for some reason. Well, my friends, NOT tonight. I met with an expert to prepare for tomorrow's combat with a dinner at Mike's Bistro on 54th Street East which my companion described as one of the ten best Kosher restaurants in the world. Well, ok, then. My bread with olives disappeared because I am a weary traveler and say what you will about iced tea: some is simply full-bodied and wonderful. Iced tea? Really? Really. And then came our breaded zucchini which my companion foolishly allowed me to try after which I ate most of it (but was polite about it. I gave the last piece the death stare until he said, with such grace, have at it before you hurt yourself). The combination of crisp then almost liquid dipped in secret garlic sauce-l had no answer, I had no resistance. And we were just getting started. Out came my Hendricks salad so munchy and wondrous that I did not even care that he said, "well, I will see you with my arugula and raise you." Go ahead. I am busy. Then, with trumpets singing to sweet angles, the magic of magics landed on my table-Ahi Tuna unlike any I have ever tasted. This is it, my friends, simply THE best tuna I have ever had. Every fork was a new beginning of eternity, a perfect combination of some many wondrous things that I could not discern and, I suspect, no one would tell me lest they would have to kill me. I was full and I said no to dessert but then our kindly waiter described them and one in particular, the Mille-Feuille ("a thousand layers") which has feather-light layers (how these are even possible is structurally insane) with a light, almost buoyant (you think it will float away!) filling of chocolate spun into a near froth but light and wondrous. I was knocked out. Simply knocked out. I am sorry there were not more pics....

I came here for a nice evening out and had my 11 month old baby with me. Mike greeted me at the door and was extremely kind. It was raining so he sent the hostess to get us some napkins so we could dry off while he dried and folded the rain cover for our stroller. They sat us in the back room I presume because of the baby but that was fine for us as we had more privacy and nicer for the other guests that way they didn't have to be around a baby when out for a nice dinner. Our waitress was efficient, thoughtful and caring and knew the menu while anticipating our needs. I couldn't ask for more from a waitress. The gnocchi was good but not amazing. I love fresh gnocchi - those beautiful little pillows of dough, and these were good but nothing to write home about. The steak I had for my main course was also very good but nothing mind-blowing. For the prices Mike charges I would kind of expect mind-blowing but I guess he's can catering more to the Wall Street crowd so her can charge whatever he likes. All in all it was a very good meal, Mike was very nice, the servers were all excellent and the food was very good. Definitely on the expensive side - they have a bottle of 1999 Herzog Chalk Hill for $1200 - but a very good dinner. I would definitely go back again for a simcha or to show not frum relatives that kosher food can be very good. 4 stars for the food. 5+ stars for...