Shariq’s Département

After a bad experience at Olives last year, P. and I stayed away till last night.  Friends had told us that the new chef at this restaurant at the W Union Sqaure was much improved and back to its former glory.

And we had an exceptional experience!  The food was delicious and surprising in the flavour combinations.  I started with a Spanish mackerel special which was paired with juicy watermelon and cole slaw (pictured above).  The combination was unusual and quite satisfying: the rich mackerel was given a light undertone by the watermelon, while the coleslaw brought the ocean and land together via comfort food.  This is obviously a thinking chef who is not afraid to experiment.  They also make wonderful flatbread pizzas - P. had one and thoroughly enjoyed it.  For the main course, I had a Mahi Mahi dish with lentils and carrots - it was, again, delicious.

The service was solicitious - in fact, the chef sent over a complimentary mid-course pasta dish (spaghetti with cuttlefish) for each of us which was simple, yet very satisfying.

Glad to have another quality restaurant in the Flatiron/Gramercy neighbourhood.