Halfsteak & Bagatelle
On Saturday, I happened to be in the Meatpacking district and was in search of a place to have dinner. Now my first choice was Merkato 55, but they were still in Brunch Party mode when I went (around 5:45 PM) so I couldn't get a table. Pastis was packed and had a 30 minute wait for a table for one. Bagatelle had a line out the door as they also were in brunch party mode. Buddha Bar (who is undergoing a "secret" name change) was empty, except for about 10 tourists. STK was empty as well and I'd assume One would be as well. Son Cubano was a busy as well, but nothing like Merkato. So I decided to talk a 2 block walk down to Craftsteak and eat at the bar (now known as Halfsteak). Halfsteak is chef Tom Collichio's response to the recession. They serve dishes amounting to no more than $14.50 and they're basically have portions of what you'd normally get (hence HalfSteak). But the portions are beyond half...more like a quarter. I ordered the fluke as an appetizer, and while it was tasty, was no larger than a half dollar. The halfsteak, was a 6 oz NY strip with fries. While very good, it kept me wanting more...and left me hungry. In conclusion, HalfSteak is a great place if you're with friends and just want to order small dishes to share. If you're hungry and expect a full meal, head over to to the back of the restaurant, where Craftsteak serves full steaks...but also at full price!
After my halfdinner, I had sometime to kill and decided to go for coffee. Walking down Gansevoort, Merkato 55 was still blasting music and actually had a small fire. STK was still empty (but I'm sure it gets packed at around 7:30 I mean come on, its next to Tenjune). I walked into Pastis in hope to get a table for one. The host told me there was a 25 minute wait for a table for one. I left just after hearing that. Then I said to myself "hey, why not walk around the corner to Bagatelle". Now, Bagatelle must have just finished their Brunch Party as when I walked in it was empty and there was a shift change going on. But that was fine, I basically wanted just to sit, have a coffee and leave. The place is pretty and looks much nicer than in the pictures (the two Marilyn Monroe pictures they have hung up give the restaurant more of a hip vibe rather than a classical look). The staff is nice and attentive as well. Now, after being there for about 20 minutes, it went from empty to the bar looking something like this: "model, model, business man, model, me alone in the middle of all this, business man, and 2 "regulars" at Bagatelle"...and I'm completely down for that type of scene. I'd definitely go back, perhaps in a group so its not just me packed in the middle of everyone, but its definitely a place to visit if you're in the Meatpacking District...or can't get into Pastis. Oh, and for a $5 latte and $3 cup of coffee, Bagatelle's coffee surpassed Starbucks'.