THE PLACE: Been a while since I took myself out to a fancy new hotspot. Markette, in one of the least attractive streets in Chelsea, fits the bill nicely. The vibe is like a fancy hotel lobby with a tranquil bar and dining room. Service is friendly and attentive and this would be a great date night as was the case with most of the patrons surrounding my solo meal at the bar. The menu seems to reflect Caribbean takes on European dishes, like the very popular Braised Oxtail Gratin (an order to save for an actual date night). With Tatiana and now Chef India Doris’ Markette, I’m convinced that the future of fine dining in the city is definitely not European.
THE DISH: It pained me a bit to fork over so much money for a single prawn, but what a prawn this was! The large meaty crustacean was sliced like calamari rings and plump, buttery, and charred to perfection. Even more exciting than the excellent prawn were its surroundings: a rich spiced tomato bouillabaisse and a healthy garnish of chili crisp with puffed rice. I could have sworn the food runner introduced it as “granola” and so my mind went there and I found the slightly sweet-spicy and very crunchy chili crisp to be a very creative and surprising turn. Whether my mind played tricks on me or not, this was one spectacular dish. Price: $29
| MARKETTE |
| 326 Seventh Avenue (between West 28th and West 29th Street), Chelsea (212) 537-6577 |
| marketterestaurant.com |
