As Alan Price once said "I put a Spell on You" (Diet Coke commercials) and with the success of his new eatery, it seems that Tom Colicchio of Top Chef has done just that. Like his sister restaurants, this king of the small-plate takes the casual elegance of rustic cooking and casts a spell on any one who sits down in one of the 150 seats in this Flatiron gem. And this spell is no curse. It is as if a genie granted one of your three wishes...that is, if your wish was to have a truly divine dining experience. The waiters are on point, the decor is subtly pleasing, and the food is to die for. With exposed piping, a seemingly dangerous catwalk that dangles from the ceiling, and a huge non-intrusive rack filled with wine bottles, this perfectly dimly lit room exudes an intimate, modern ambiance. As does the cuisine. The food is cooked to perfection with this Top Chef's magical touch. Using simple foods along with, what he believes, are the finest ingredients, Colicchio ingeniously changes the menu according to what's in season, but here are some musts: any of the bruschettas, the Ricotta seasoned veal meatballs, and the Scallops with Endive and Onion Soubise. Take our advice and just let the magic happen.
