Po, Tartine

Last Saturday, Zubair suggested Po for dinner and I was like, omg yes.

No, more like OMG YES!!!.

bwhaahha. I love to eat pasta (and pizza) and could eat one of the two for every single meal for the rest of my life. Otto is my reliable pasta standby, my best friend when it comes to pasta at restaurants. I love Lupa, Babbo, Convivio and Alto quite a bit, but it's simply not reasonable for everyday meals. I think Po falls into the category of restaurants you could eat at twice a week. Fairly priced, comfortable, and OH SO DELICIOUS.

It might come to replace Otto as my favourite.

We didn't have reservations that evening, but opted wait around a bit. Luckily there was plenty to do in the interim and soon enough, we were seated at just the sweetest table in the restaurant...a little nook at the front of the restaurant with windows opened onto Cornelia Street.

Here's the view looking outside the window...and that's Zubair on the right :)

They started us off with White Bean Bruschetta...

...and bread with olive oil while we perused the menu.

None of the mains spiked interest, so we decided to share a appetizer and three pastas. First off, Beet Carpaccio, with baby artichokes, watercress and pine nut crusted goat cheese.

Then, the White Bean Ravioli with Balsamic Brown Butter Sauce. We didn't request for them to split the pasta orders into two separate plates, but they did so without us having to ask. How sweet is that?? This ravioli is Zubair's favourite pasta dish and it is indeed a real winner. Pureed white beans tucked into each ravioli, a light finish of the smoky, butter rich sauce with the balsamic coming in at the end.

The next dish was just as awesome. Black Fettuccine, Fresh Mussels, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Scallions and Green Chilies. That again is a half-portion. But it is absolutely massive and could easily past as a whole serving in any other restaurant. Mussels were plentiful, fettuccine cooked a perfect al dente...smiles all around :)

We were more stuffed than anticipated by the time we finished the two pastas. So we cancelled the third order which was housemade Gnocchi. Just another reason to come back ^_^

But no matter how full one is...you can never ever pass up dessert. To end - the 'Po Sundae' made with fresh mint gelato, cinnamon spiced pine nuts & chocolate sauce.

A near perfect dinner? I'd sure say so! Pictured above is the view looking into the nook. I'll have to make sure we get seated at the table every time! We finished the evening with movies on the couch and plenty of sleep.

For brunch the following day, we walked to the corner of 11th & 4th Street, and scored a perfect outdoor table for two at Tartine. The restaurant has a $14.95 prix fixe brunch menu that comes with coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice. Like Po, I've walked past Tartine numerous times, always wanted to try it, and simply never found the opportunity. Luckily, there was only a short five minute wait that Sunday morning before we sat down to eat.

Zubair had the Eggs Benedict made with Canadian bacon, homemade hollandaise. Roasted potatoes on the side.

I couldn't decide if I was in a sweet or savoury mood, so the French Toast was a perfect fit because it came with roasted potatoes and smoked bacon. The French toast was made from homemade brioche, huzzah! I get so mad when sweet dishes on brunch menus only have sweet elements. Like lemon ricotta pancakes with berries. Or waffles topped with strawberry compote and maple syrup. Something savoury should automatically be involved without having to order an extra side dish.

The afternoon was followed by a six-hour live viewing of this year's Gay Pride parade for which we had perfect views from Anatolli's apartment.

We saw the whole parade from beginning to end. Man, was it exhausting!

Next post...EN Brasserie! ^_^

Po Restaurant
31 Cornelia Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 645-2189

Tartine
253 W 11th Street
New York, NY 10014
(212) 229-2611