01.01.09
Review of Cercle Rouge, Saturday November 2008
241 W. Broadway & Walker/White Sts., 212-226-6252
Great for: wonderful food in Tribeca for not much money, dates, private parties
The Boyfriend and I had just made our four-day relationship official the night before, so we left my friend’s birthday party at Bubble Lounge early to smooch. (I like commitment. Amazingly, so does he.) It was a bitterly cold night. Fortunately the best place around was right across the street. I came here when it opened about three years ago and thought it very good; if anything, it’s improved since then.
I got two appetizers in lieu of a main. The soupe du jour in a delightful little skillet was a delectable split pea with puréed bacon and shrimp and cream on top. I had a hard time sharing it with B. My lovely large crab cake tarte over salad and endive with creamy dill sauce was similarly fantastic. Crisp outside, the cake was soft and flaky inside with just the right amount of vegetables.
His mignon of Berkshire pork wrapped in applewood bacon with Calvados cream sauce and vegetables was amazing, with hints of sugar and wonderfulness. It almost felt wrong that something could be so good. That didn’t stop us from devouring it and B sopping up all the sauce with bread, of course.
We had attentive, nice service without hovering. The waiter made sure we had everything we needed and left us alone to snuggle as much as possible, which we very much appreciated. I liked the fun art and atmosphere; there was a noisy private party in the bar up front but the restaurant is big enough that they didn’t bother us, and it was actually fun for a Saturday night. My only regret is that I haven’t come here more often.
Rating: 9 / 10
Our cost: $60 (2 apps, 1 entrée, no drinks)
Noise level: convivial hum
Chance of walking in: decent - it’s rather out of the way for most people and the space is large.
