Hobnob loves to head to the truly foodie spots that offer up something you don’t get on the average menu. Kingsley delivered. See more photos and our review of this cozy spot with creative chef Roxanne Spruance.
Who To Take: someone with an adventurous palate or the person who is looking for a cool spot in east village alphabets
When my foodie friend Bev told me she was coming into town from Vermont, I knew I had to choose an edgy spot for our dinner to suit her educated palate. Kingsley is one place that was on my radar, and so we made our way to the East Village, NYC. The space has a minimalist airy feel, with a real backyard (though we got a table next to the window by the bar which was A-OK).
Come Open-Minded
The menu here is mighty adventurous, and our meal was quite the combination of oddities. A bone marrow starter complete with tuna tartar set the pace—see details on the dinner below. Chef/Owner Roxanne Spruance has come up through the ranks in numerous foodie enclaves including Blackbird in Chicago, WD~50, Blue Hill at Stone Barns. We love that she received the coveted “Snail of Approval” certification awarded by Slow Food New York for chefs who have sustainably driven kitchens. In February 2013, you may have seen her win “Chopped” with bacon as the main ingredient.
Our Dinner
Photo at the top of the post: The amuse arrived in spoons, left, and our first course offered up the freshest fava beans (I always order this when its on the menu, such a rare treat) came with bacon marmalade, crème fraîche, spicy greens
Next course: Roasted Bone Marrow with Montauk yellow fin tuna tartar, chives, soy, balsamic, and a sake sherry shot (!). We were encouraged to pair the shot with eating, then run it through the bone to get every speck, to which Bev kindly obliged.
A lovely bread selection and nice butter with which to enjoy the White Asparagus Soup with frog’s legs, caviar, orange and watercress.
Black Olive Oil Poached Halibut with smoked sea beans, ginger and parsnip.
KINGSLEY, 190 Ave B (btw 11th/12th Sts)