Elizabeth

[Nathan]

This opened a couple months ago in NoLIta...the old Rialto space I think.

It was marketed as a cocktails and small plates place...with Psaltis purportedly consulting on the menu.

pretty space. they're using the garden well.

cocktail list....not so good...lots of vodka and even drinks that looked interesting were way too sweet. bartenders were pleasant.

prices were very low by contemporary standards. for some reason a cheeseburger is just about the most expensive thing on the menu. portions are huge....some of the small plates would be mains at other restaurants.

we were on a small plates rotation between Elizabeth and the Monday Room so we shared two "small" plates and one large.

beef tartare was quite good. this is a chunky version...with horseradish cream (mild but very good) and a quail egg. to be spread on grilled bread. one of the better tartares around. is it as good as the definitive tartare at Robuchon? no. but it's $12, not $45.

watermelon and feta salad (with olives) just wasn't very interesting.

a main (also $12!?!) of pappardelle with morels and vermouth cream was quite good. the vermouth cream was sharp but not at all unpleasant. lots of stock too I think...and lots of morels. this dish was huge.

the place was jampacked. clientele was 80% female, literally.