4 Naan Blondes

TABLA

GREG:
Before the taste memory escapes my mind, let's drop a blog on Tabla, November's Supper Club offering. Not to skip right to the end, but I really enjoyed the place. Cool décor, friendly staff, flavorful courses...we didn't discover a hole-in-the-wall or anything, but it's definitely a restaurant I'd recommend.

Since Libby and I got there first, I get to critique first. And I'll start with a confession: I never, ever order the foofy cocktail concoctions, but while we waited for you and Liz at the bar, this time I did...a Kuchumber Kooler (Plymouth Gin, green chilies, cilantro and cucumber, $12.) Despite my general objection to Gin drinks, this was one of the tastiest alliterations
I've ever sipped. Not as manly as a scotch on the rocks, but hey, everyone thinks I'm gay at these meals anyway since I'm showing up with three women. Libby went the Gin route too with a Pomegranate Gimlet (Gin, Pom juice and Fresh Lime Juice, $11,) and I believe she was quite pleased.

SARA:
I have to tell you, normally I'm turned off by gin drinks. Maybe its the taste of juniper berries and grass. More honestly, its probably the plastic bottle of Aristocrat Gin I got sick off of in college. But after I cautiously tasted your "Mrs. Kuchumber", this dirty-martini guzzler opted for the mini straws and fancy glass topper too.

The drink was married to the decor. It had the same feel to it as the vivid earth tones and maintained ambiance. They both lingered on the verge of being just a bit gawdy (or foofy), but managed to not over-step any boundaries, making the lavishness more endearing then annoying. It was a place where both the diplomat or the drag queen could feel at home.
The drink also went well with the warm naan (one made with flour, one made with corn-meal), and the delicious chutneys. I liked the tomato kalonji the best, because it had more of a kick to it. However, I feel like the rest of the table liked the apple-pomegranate one better. No problem, more tomato for me!

GREG:
Before I get to the apps, I got to give a shout-out to Richard, our server. Friendly, knowledgeable, opinionated in a good way, and extremely huggable. That might freak him out, but he had a holly jolly quality to him that’s usually reserved for Macy’s Christmas Village, not fine dining establishments. Merry St. Rick!

Okay, the appetizers. I should mention that the menu offered either prix fix app and entrée or two tasting menus. We went prix fix because we’re saving our dough for next month’s Supper Club, and everyone ordered for themselves. Liz and I decided to split the Tabla Crab Cakes, which I’d heard were fantastic, and the Stuffed Jack-Be-Little Pumpkin, a veggie option. The crab cakes were indeed delicious, though not otherworldly, and the stuffed pumpkin, which I thought might be a bit too much of a novelty item, was actually a great light starter, though it could have had a bit more flavor (I thought every veggie in there tasted the same besides the pumpkin itself.)

SARA:
Hooray for Richard! After the last restaurant, I'm just so happy to know the waiter's name. He did have a Papa bear quality about him, and he really knew the menu. As you said during dinner, its obvious he's tried every course...probably many times. However, Richard was definitely not a sommelier. We asked for a light wine for our apps, and instead received a surprisingly spicy pinot. It didn't matter much, because we almost finished the bottle by the time the apps arrived. My main, and perhaps only complaint of the evening was the wait. We waited for the apps, we waited for our main course, we waited for dessert. The only thing that came promptly was the wine (the wait staff made sure to keep our glasses full). They were apologetic however, and their humble attitude almost made me want to ask them to sit down and have a glass.

After a tasty amuse-bouche, a curry soup with pine nuts, my Seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras with Peppered Brioche Doughnuts and quince arrived. It was so good that I almost wanted to ask Richard to bring me out another plate of it instead of the main course. The seared foie was salty, but not over-powering, and the quince sweetened the liver to perfection. It melted on my tongue. Libby got the Hamachi Tartare which was my second favorite appetizer. It was light, but extremely flavorful, and paired nicely with a salad of apples, radishes, and heart of palm.

GREG:
I totally forgot the shot of curry soup! And as for the long pauses between courses, if you want fast food, go to McDonald’s! But yeah, they could have sped things up a bit. They did refill our naan to tide us over at least.

Main course: I had the farm raised Roasted Baby Pig. God, that sounds so anti-Charlotte’s Web...sorry Wilbur! The pork itself was salty, crispy, and oh so good. I wouldn’t have minded a leaner cut, but I didn’t waste a bite. It was served over pickled cabbage, fennel and mustard jus, a combination that reminded me of Korean Kimchi (I think). I guess it was a little too spicy for me, which Richard must have known because my water glass was always full. I had to keep the pork away from the rest of it or my taste buds would have been anesthetized. But big yum on the pig itself.

SARA:
They did bring us naan to make up for the wait, but I think I ate too much of it, because I was so full at the end of my meal I couldn't even finish those little chocolates they gave us.

Main course: We had another bottle of wine with dinner...I don't remember what it was because I was too interested in my food. Just like Greg, I ordered a baby animal...PETA members we are not. I had the Braised Veal Short Ribs, Roasted Loin and Crispy Sweetbreads. It came with a sauce on the side for the angel hair pasta (which I found a little weird for an Indian restaurant..but then again..do they eat baby cows in India?) The first bite of the loin was bland, so I added some sauce. That definitely made it worthwhile! The short ribs needed no extra sauce. They were so tender that they melted. Even the pasta was good! The swiss chard was unmemorable. I only added it in the review because I rechecked the menu online. The sweetbreads, which I usually love (if you haven't noticed, I tend to go for 'innards'), were a little overcooked. Overall, I would eat this dish again.

GREG:
Our second bottle was a Syrah, Domaine des Lises Crozes Hermitage Equinoxe 2006. How do I remember? Because I’m a nerd and took a picture of it with my camera phone. And thanks to my spicy pig broth, I don’t remember at all how it tasted.

Libby was in love with her Tapioca Crusted Halibut, which was prepared perfectly and might have been my favorite taste from someone else’s plate. And did Liz have the Lamb done Two Ways? I can’t remember, though I do remember her having trouble deciding what to order and going with Richard’s suggestion.

We need to write these closer to the actual meal, yo. My taste memories are fading!

SARA:
Didn't Liz get a fish dish too? I don't remember. I was too full, and a little drunk. *

Dessert: I had the Tahitian Vanilla Bean Kulfi, which was a very dense vanilla ice cream. They gave me a special little ridged spoon to eat it with, so that was fun! The kulfi was great, but the lychee sorbet it was served with was too tart. It overpowered the creaminess of the vanilla. I should have gotten that peanut butter and jelly thing.

Liz's Two "Caramel Apples" was awesome. The Gingerbread cake it came with could have been a dessert in itself. It was a perfect fall dish!
As I said before, they gave us some little chocolates after our dessert. I only liked the peanut butter one. The other ones were a little gross.
Overall, my meal was fantastic. The service was slow, but sweet, and the clientele was laid back and diverse. I want to go back and try the tasting menu!

GREG:
Hey, the slow service just lets us all spend more time together. I don't get to see enough of you! (funny how sarcasm doesn't translate so well over e-mail ;))

For dessert, I nibbled at the Fig and Goat Cheese Torchon. Torchon is another one of those foodie words I don’t know, and I honestly don’t remember loving it. At that point, I was only ordering dessert so I could write about it. See how well that worked out?

Libby had a selection of local cheeses which tasted like, well, cheese. You can never go wrong with cheese!

I absolutely enjoyed Tabla. Beautiful place, nice staff from the hostess to the busboys, tasty and interesting food. Oh, and did I mention they forgot to charge us for our first round of drinks? Word!
FINAL GRADES:

GREG:
Ambiance: A-
Service: A-
Appetizers: B++
Entrees: B+
Desserts: B-


SARA:
Ambiance: A-
Service: B+
Appetizers: A
Entrees: B+
Desserts: B-

LIBBY:
Ambiance: A
Service: A+
Appetizers: A
Entrees: A
Dessert: A-

LIZ:

Ambiance: B+
Service: C
Appetizers: A-/B+
Entrees: A
Dessert: A+

*After asking Liz, she informed me that she got the halibut and Libby got the skate. TOO MUCH WINE!