The hushed vibe and rustic elegance of The Musket Room immediately sets the tone, yet almost defies what you will receive on your plate—some of the most artistically-styled dishes in town. It’s no wonder they received a Michelin star after being open for just four months.
Who to Take: the adventurous eater who appreciates unique tastes
On a perfect summer night, we ventured into Nolita, NYC, hungry and ready to sample Chef Matt Lambert’s upscale New Zealand cuisine. The menu features interesting combinations of flavors you may not have seen together before, like Foie Gras Torchon with brioche, rhubarb and cocoa nibs or New Zealand Red Deer with flavors of gin. (Before opening The Musket Room, co-owner Chef Lambert honed his skills with fellow New Zealander Brad Farmerie at his celebrated restaurants, Public, Double Crown, and Saxon + Parole.) Bonus: prices are surprisingly reasonable on both the menu and the wine list.
Dinner and Cocktails Anyone?
At the bar, Christopher Barry mixed up some very interesting cocktails. (seen in the photo at the top of this post)
Many of the ingredients come from just outside the restaurant. A wall of peppers frames the window… and herbs and flowers fill the space. If you order the GARDEN SALAD on the menu, you too will be dazzled with the look and taste of this lively mix.
Step off Elizabeth Street into a scene of elegant rustic-ness. The design team at Alexander Waterworth Interiors won the “Hospitality Design Award in Upscale Restaurant Design” for The Musket Room.
Heirloom tomato gazpacho, olive oil and garden herbs. This was poured at the table, and was a superb way to start the meal. Right: Cold smoked scallops, cucumbers, black garlic, pears and sea beans. The plating was breathtaking, and was a fantastic combination of textures and tastes.
Tofu gnocchi, tomato dashi, oyster mushroom and Asian greens. Bob absolutely loved this, the tofu made for a lighter gnocchi, and mushrooms were extremely flavorful. Turns out, it is one of The Musket Rooms’ most popular dishes.
A perfect slab of pork, with crunchy top, accompanied purple cauliflower and roasted apricots. Excellent! The sweetness of the apricots was a nice pairing. Berkshire pork, cauliflower and roasted apricots.
THE MUSKET ROOM, 265 Elizabeth Street (btw Houston/Prince)
