ABC KITCHEN - NEW YORK, NY

NAME: ABC Kitchen

LOCATION: 35 E 18th St. New York City, NY 10003

CUISINE: American/French

PRICE POINT: $$$ (out of $$$$)

OVERALL RATING: 9/10

DESCRIPTION:

ABC Kitchen is located in the heart of Union Square behind the ABC Carpet & Home store. Not to be confused with ABC Cocina, the tapas-style restaurant adjacent to the furniture store, ABC Kitchen has a trendy New York decor with beautiful chandeliers, unique lighting and white seating arrangements. We were lucky to find a reservation on OpenTable (check out this app or website for making restaurant reservations here) and walked over from the W Hotel Union Square for a girls' dinner. 

We were seated in the back half of the restaurant closest to ABC Cocina where there is a view of the kitchen and bar area. The staff is very friendly, especially amidst the city rush, and the food is even better. 

Between the three of us, we ordered a few plates to share including the Roasted Butternut Squash, the Salmon appetizer, the side roasted Brussels Sprouts, and the Ricotta, Prosciutto and Date Pizza. The Squash is grilled with spices that gave it a bit of a kick and crunch.

                           

 Brussels Sprouts are a must-order side dish that is both delicate and savory. While we weren't overwhelmed with the Salmon, it was a refreshing bite between some richer plates. Our absolute favorite was the Pizza - it almost turned into a cat fight over the last slice! The dough is handmade and toppings are carefully overlaid so each bite encompasses all important ingredients. While we decided to venture to Magnolia Bakery for some banana pudding as dessert, the homemade donuts looked to-die for. 

ABC Kitchen partners with the Farm-to-Table movement to provide food that is free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, insecticides, antibiotics, hormones, and GMO. You can taste the freshness within each bite.

ABC Kitchen also provides a great atmosphere to grab drinks and appetizers with friends or coworkers, and it is a popular destination for weekend brunch. One warning: it could be weeks before you find a reservation here, as the restaurant blew up in popularity in 2013. Featured in articles by The New York Times, Vogue, and Bon Appetit, ABC Kitchen is definitely the go-to spot for many New Yorkers. While you're there, be sure to check out ABC Carpet & Home for some modern design inspiration. 

Link here for the restaurant's website, including menu & news.