by Carrie Gross
| It used to be fake IDs were needed to add years, but now, Upper East Sider’s are going to need fake IDs to subtract years from their age at Park Avenue Café. With Park Avenue Café’s ongoing promotion “Pay Your Age”, diners who eat after 8:30pm pay their age for an exquisite three course meal from the regular menu.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday,” Lori said last night as we took her out for her last night as a 29 year old. Softening her entrée into her 30s, we thought an entrée of Sea Bass would cushion her fall into the next decade of life. |  |
Park Avenue Café, located between Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue on 63rd Street stretches for a good portion of the block. The sprawling dining area is broken into two rooms where an Americana rustic décor compliments the sophisticated cuisine. The cozy tribute to America is highlighted with hand painted American flags awash in bright red accents throughout the restaurant and with quaint elements of exposed wood and brick. There is a simple hominess to this longstanding bastion of Upper East Side fine dining. Going against modern trends towards sleek, cold and austere, Park Avenue Café embraces the timeless warmth of good clean cooking in a comfortable environment.
Park Avenue Café was always popular among the business set and with the more staid and traditional gents whose apartments have park views, but in an attempt to draw in a younger crowd at off-peak hours, the “Pay Your Age” promotion is pulling in the hipsters who normally may go downtown. “My friends mentioned it to me and then my boyfriend and I went for dinner. He’s a few years younger than me, so his meal cost a few dollars less. But seriously, where else in Manhattan can you get a 5 star meal for $29?” Melissa said to me when we were discussing new restaurants.
“How old are you?” the waiter asked when he took our order. A question three women do not want to answer and one that should never be asked. “Don’t you know you are not supposed to ask a woman her age?” we joked with the waiter. After stating our ages (range: 28-32), we ordered appetizers and a main course. While he did not check our IDs like a bouncer would at a club on 10thAvenue, he did ask if we had our Driver Licenses with us. The thought of showing IDs for food was funny enough to stir up round of giggles at the table While the concept of the promotion is cute, it does conjure up images of lesser chain restaurants in the suburbs with promotions like “Penny a Pound” for kids. But this modern New York City interpretation lent a campy feel to a quality meal.
While many restaurants offer an adapted menu for promotions or for Restaurant Week, Park Avenue’s menu featured all of their signature dishes. Flank steak did not replace Filet Mignon. My dining companions chose the Chopped Salad appetizer, a hefty portion in a large glass bowl reminiscent of Mom’s kitchen was piled high with fresh greens, vegetables and sumptuous goat cheese. The tuna tartare appetizer was served on two finglering potato chips. Fresh, soft and with an abundance of flavor, the appetizer was capped off with savory mango chunks.
The entrees were equally as perfect as the first course with a Chilean Sea Bass among the popular option at the table. The menu is continually updated and new creations are added frequently to incorporate the tastes and textures of the season. A Butternut Squash and Lobster Bisque, rich and creamy, was a lovely fall inspired delicacy. We were able to order a double sized portion from the appetizer menu to count as an entrée. A goat cheese ravioli with fig jam looked to good to pass up or have just as a starter so its size was adapted. We ordered the legendary Truffle French Fries for the table. Crispy, golden and thick, the sophisticated French fry rivaled the best we have had.
Two courses of ample proportions left us unable to contemplate dessert, but we unbuttoned our pants, took a deep breath and pressed forward. The Park Avenue Sundae was ambrosia. A bowl of vanilla bean ice cream was surrounded by 6 smaller cups of toppings which we could add in at our own discretion. Chocolate shavings, peanut butter crunchies and a heaping bowl of fresh whipped cream was enough for the entire table to taste. “We never each get our own dessert but because you kinda have to here, we got to sample a bunch. It was well worth it,” Lori said.
Park Avenue Café is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday a few days early and save that $1. Who knows? You could use that extra dollar to buy a lottery ticket and perhaps to be able to buy an apartment adjacent to Park Avenue Café with your winning from Power Ball. |
| Park Avenue Café100 E 63rd Street (Park & Lex)
New York, NY 10021212-360-0438 |
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