01.30.09
Review of La Mirabelle, Saturday December 2008
102 W.86th St. & Columbus, 212-496-0458
Great for: the specials, singer/waitress, old world service
One evening, the Boyfriend’s father was kind enough to take us out to dinner. I like eating on the UWS; it reminds me of the childhood I should have had (well, maybe that’s more the UES, but this ex-Pennsylvania hick won’t split hairs). And both B and Mr. G are so smart. It’s nice to enjoy spirited intellectual conversations along with my food.
B and I got special appetizers of sea scallops wrapped in bacon on chopped leeks with tiny tomatoes and a stripe of raspberry coulis. It was delicious and I really liked the leeks. The scallops were a little on the small side, perhaps, but not gritty or too chewy as sometimes happens. Mr. G had his usual steamed artichoke with a delightful lemony sauce (aïoli, perhaps).
B’s shell steak au poivre with thin-cut fries and veggies was a bit overcooked but nice when drenched in sauce. It was very large and not too fatty. Mr. G’s special entrée of halibut on spinach and red pepper coulis with vegetables could have been softer but I think that was partly the kind of fish. I was glad I picked the sole meuniére. The two thin filets of tender fish with a touch of breading outside were so yummy. I liked the sauce a lot too.
I couldn’t resist the dessert special, mille-feuille with a sugary coating and custard inside. It wasn’t too tall as such pastries sometimes are, and was lovely and perfectly flaky. The crème caramel was pleasant too.
Mr. G thought a bottle of Perrier-Jouët would accompany our dinner very well, and it did. He goes to the restaurant quite often so the French owner and waiters came and said hello to us a lot and were very sweet. They seemed generally friendly anyhow. There is an adorable little upstairs area, but Mr. G said the service is a bit slower up there. All in all, deservedly an Upper West Side staple, especially if you stick with the specials or the sole.
Rating: 6.5 / 10
Our cost: $230 + 70 tip (3 dinners, bottle of Perrier-Jouët, 2 cappuccinos, 1 Frangelico)
Noise level: loud murmur and occasional mellifluous singing
Chance of walking in: not too bad.
