Best Hidden Gem, January 3rd

It’s been a long hiatus for me and Jen’s Little Black Book of best restaurants so I was thrilled for the chance to experience a new hot spot in New York City. (I’m even more thrilled that there ARE new hots spots in NYC!) Translated directly from Italian, Ci Siamo, Danny Meyer’s newest addition to his restaurant empire (think Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, Marta, and Shake Shack to name a few), means “We’ve made it! We’ve arrived!”

And since the location of this place is comically hard to find within the Hudson Yards section of the City and technically part of The Manhattan West compound, I was thinking that maybe Meyer chose this name because by the time you locate the hostess stand, you already feel victorious… like you want to shout, “We’re here!!” (And by the way it overlooks a lovely little courtyard with a… wait for it… mini ice skating rink in the middle. Who knew??)

I dragged my beau Michael on this local journey with me because A) it was a Saturday night, 2) it was a great way to celebrate the first day of the new year, 3) he was super flexible about eating dinner at the only timeslot they had available which was the 5:30pm early bird special… okay and 4) I all but assured him that the place was potentially “Book-Worthy”– which he knows for me can be a totally religious experience.

The interior was warm and woodsy and you can see right into the open kitchen that boasts a wood burning oven. We were excited to jump right in. The menu wasn’t enormous, but the selections sounded divine. We started with the Caramelized Onion Torta with Balsamic and Pecorino Toscana. And let me just say that when I saw Michael’s eyes roll back in his head after just one bite of the Torta, I knew that I was in love, too… with the Torta! It must have been the Pecorino they bake into the impossibly flaky crust? The perfectly caramelized but still sweet melty onions? Whatever balsamic magic that kitchen is serving up, it was truly an appetizing miracle. Just shy of a carb coma we clinked glasses– me with La Torcia– vodka, chartreuse, fennel, olive oil, and soda, and Michael with Mandorla– amaretto, egg white, almond, bourbon, and walnut. And before we knew it, our entrees arrived.

I ordered the Roasted Half-Chicken with Schmaltz and Sunchokes (my favorite root vegetable). I can honestly say that the last time I had roasted chicken this juicy was back in the day at Isabella’s on Columbus Avenue (moment of silence in tribute please!), so wow!! Tender, flavorful, with a lemony skin and pureed sunchokes, this very schmaltzy dish impressed the cluck out of me. Michael opted for the Pork Milanese with Caraway and Bagna Cauda Aioli which is a “hot bath” of oil, butter, anchovy, and garlic. We know I’m not a pork lover but M said his Milanese was the best he’s ever had– a rave review for sure.

We finished by sharing the Lemon Torta with olive oil and meringue. It was a super skinny piece but generous in size! The lemony middle was zesty, light, and creamy with an impossibly buttery crust and just the right complement of toasted puffy meringue on the side that housed a tiny puddle of olive oil.

I always abide by the policy of “If you see something, say something.” Similarly when I find a hidden gem, I tell other foodies the address so that they can love it, too. So you’re welcome in advance! Enjoy.

Ci Siamo, 385 Ninth Avenue (in Manhattan West Plaza), New York City
(But really it’s on 31st Street between Ninth and Tenth Avenue and it’s on the second floor!)