One of my absolute favorite restaurants in New York City was the not so recently closed Isabella’s on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. They had an amazing brunch, outdoor seating, a fun bar, and a wonderfully roasted chicken dinner with golden mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach that was the perfect substitute for a home cooked meal any night of the week.
I’d been to Isabella’s for multiple Mother’s Day celebrations, Saturdays for a lazy breakfast, many weeknights for dinner with friends, and it was an occasional third date place perfect to see what the guy ordered and if we were a good fit. (Winner winner chicken dinner!) But by far my favorite item on their menu was the Dark Chocolate Box.
The DCB was a tall rectangular box made from deliciously rich chocolate and housed a mountain of delicately sweet raspberry mousse and fresh raspberries. I don’t know what it was, but the combination of not quite bitter chocolate and the fresh fruit mixed with the creamy mousse was just heavenly. And it was sort of a fun challenge to crash through the chocolate walls of the structure and indulge in every mouthwatering bite. Isabella’s closed in 2017 but I still dream about that dessert, even though I’ve been boxed out.
This past year has seen so many great restaurants close! I loved Keith McNally’s Augustine. It wasn’t the most convenient location downtown but I loved the decor and atmosphere. Ok, and the fries! Blue Smoke was a great BBQ place and was a NYC staple for years. Goodbye, tender brisket. Esca in the theater district closed this March. Farewell to the best scallops and most delicate crudos in the universe. Egg in Williamsburg made an early edition of Jen’s Little Black Book with the most incredible candied bacon that I’ve ever had. Goodnight crispy strips of addictive goodness. TAK Room at Hudson Yards closed before I even got to visit and sample Thomas Keller’s famous blackout cake. Boxed out again! And that one really hurt.
One of the many things the pandemic has taught us is that we never know what’s right around the corner. We have to make our bucket lists and start checking things off as soon as possible. My foodie fantasy list currently contains the double cheeseburger with the broken yolk and the chocolate cream pie from 4 Charles Prime Rib right at the top. And pizza from Spumoni Gardens is running a close second. (I know, I know. I’ve just never been. Maybe Cousin Ron and I will go together since he’s been a fan since childhood. Ron? Up for a slice?)
jenslittleblackbook.com 