Neil The Intern Attends Opening Night at Crave on 42nd

December 6, 2007 | By | COMMENTS

As a nice corollary to the post below this, here’s a dispatch from Neil The Intern from the opening night of Dave Martin’s (Top Chef, Season One) Crave on 42nd.

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I didn’t have cable in 2006 when the first season of Top Chef came out, so I never got to hear the infamous line (which, being a family blog, I won’t rehash here) Dave Martin uttered on the show. [EDITOR'S NOTE: "I'm not your bitch, bitch."] But I’ve gone over the highlights in the past few days, so I feel like I understand the concept enough to visit his new upscale comfort food restaurant, Crave on 42nd.

So last night my girlfriend Anne and I trekked up to 42nd Street’s far-west end, between 11th and 12th Ave, for the restaurant’s opening-night party. When we got to the restaurant, there were about 60 people milling about inside, drinking wine, chatting, and admiring the colorful panels (painted by Chef Martin) lining the walls. But as the dishes began to come out, many of us sat in the booths lining the walls to better eat the selections. We were able to try many of the items on the menu, including Dave’s famous Black Truffle Mac n Cheese, which was really, really, good. Though when you mix fontina, brandy and truffles together, it’s hard to go wrong.

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Dave’s Black Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Other dishes we were able to try: Fiery Meathouse Pizza – with spicy marinara and hot sausage, though it wasn’t too hot, it tasted good, Spinach and goat cheese pizza – always a good combination, especially with white truffle oil, and the dessert, a surprisingly good mango custard and a buttery shortbread cookie.

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Mango custard and shortbread cookie

I didn’t get to talk to Chef Martin too much, he was moving too fast serving food and making sure everyone was doing okay, but from the little time I got to speak with him, he seemed to live up to his reputation as inherently likable among his fans, his clients, and celebrities alike. I am glad I was able to meet him, if only for a minute, and I’m equally glad I got to taste the mac n cheese.

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  • tim

    Did Dave tear up? Because you can’t have a Dave Martin event without him tearing up.

  • http://www.tankeduptaco.blogspot.com neil

    I just had to do a double take. Skimming the lines I thought I read Fiery Meathouse Pizza – with spicy marijuana…don’t ask, it was along time ago. Funnily, it doesn’t sound to bad at all.

  • Louise

    I’m underwhelmed both by the setting and the presentation of the food. Did you at least get something awesome to drink, a martini, great wine?What did you really find so great about Chef Martin?

  • Anonymous

    these photos suck!

  • Kathryn

    Ouch, rough crowd here.

    As for me, I’m totally jealous. Crave on 42nd is one of my first stops when I get home this Christmas, so I’m excited to see it getting good reviews. One question, though — what was the price range like? I haven’t been able to get a consistent opinion.

  • Cassidy

    Who cares if Neil doesn’t have an expensive camera? Jesus.

    The food that you described sounds good, Neil. Although, it will be interesting to hear how Martin prices his classy comfort food. Unless you are going to do pizza well (considering its abundance in NYC and the U.S.) I don’t see the point in doing it at all…unless you are trying to make a cheap opening or quick profit? Was it really good?

  • Neil

    Actually, I do have a good camera. At least, the best camera I could find for $400. It’s just that the mood was set for “cocktail party.” It was too light for flash photography, too dark to go without. You should have seen the shots I didn’t include here.

    This wasn’t a sit-down meal, so I don’t feel comfortable giving a final word on the food. What I had was good, but since it was a cocktail party, the food wasn’t freshly made just for me. I’d like to go back to really see what it’s like.

    I’ve had better wild mushroom and spinach pizza, but it was more than passable, and it counts as “comfort food,” so I think it’s valid. Besides, if I only went to the place with the “best” pizza, I’d never go anywhere new. So it’s worth trying.

    Kathryn: The pricing is pretty standard for upscale casual dining. Entrees ranged from $15-$27, and the pizzas were $13 or so. The Mac n cheese starter (which is the only place it is available on the menu) was $14.

  • AS

    I checked it out last Friday. The food was surprisingly sweet, including one of the meat dishes. I hope they fix that soon.

  • http://chewonthatblog.com Hillary

    I checked out Dave’s menu the other night…looks like a great place! I’m super jealous you go to attend opening night Neil! Dave seems like a nice guy!