Gotham Style

I have been hearing about Gotham Bar and Grill for ages, but on my list of places to dine in NYC, this was not near the top.  I was under the (now false) impression that it was a steak place.  Not the kind of place I'd be gearing up to hit.  So when I was in the city for meetings a couple of weeks ago and someone suggested we have lunch there, I figured I'd be polite and make do.  What a phenomenal surprise!
"A mainstay of the New York dining scene for more than 20 years, in great part due to chef Alfred Portales' stunning architectural creations..." boasts the website, and if you look at the picture of my roasted red and yellow beet salad with tangerine, toasted hazelnuts, and shaved fennel citrus vinaigrette, you will understand just precisely where this review comes from - it was almost a shame to eat such a beautiful dish, and something that seems so simple, was truly wonderful.
The only disappointment is not knowing about the GreenmarketNYC Vegetarian Tasting menu while I was there, but I guess there is always next time.  Not that I could have eaten everything on the list, but listen to this Greenmarket Ceviche: baby beets, watermelon radish, mango, and granada chili vinigrette.  How about the Migliorelli Farm Strawberry Salad with baby arugula, shaved Tokyo turnips, Sicilian pistachios and aged balsamic?
What was fortunate, however, is that I was early, so I had some Pellegrino with lime at the bar while I waited, and stumbled upon Chef Portale's Greenmarket Cookbook - which I now own.  Inspired by the Union Square Green Market, around the corner from which the restaurant is situated, Chef created stunning, and many vegetarian-friendly (and vegan-adaptable) recipes that will tease your palate and please your eyes.  I hope to have time this summer to experiment with some of his creations, and share them with you!

A refreshing cup of herbal tea
after a crisp, refreshing sauvignon blanc