Cash me at Tableside, Howbow Dah

The East Village is known for its diversity of restaurants - every cuisine exists at a range of price points: some incredible, some just okay and some not so great. But the one niche that hasn't been filled completely is Italian food, until about a month ago thanks to Tableside. Don't get me wrong, I love Frank, Lil Frankie and Supper - the food is delicious and always on point, but it's tough to get a reservation and what if you're not carrying cash? No I don't want to go to the ATM. That's where Tableside comes in - a new northern-Italian, family-owned cook shop owned by a recently engaged young couple. The space is beautiful, with gorgeous black and white floral wall paper and exposed brick. The menu is broken up into, very straight forward categories "In the Beginning" "The Staples" and "The Feature" and the dishes all have fun, clever names. Here's what's we got:

In the Beginning:

Tableside Farmer's Platter: imported creamy burrata cheese paired with a selection of marinated, roasted and grilled vegetables

Rolling with the Eggplant: sliced eggplant fried in a light egg batter, rolled and stuffed with seasoned ricotta cheese, topped with melted mozzarella and tomato sauce

Taproot Symphony: roasted red and golden beets, arugula, and toasted almonds topped with crumbled goat cheese in a chia lemon oil dressing

The Staples:

Little ears of Apulia: orecchiette pasta with Italian sweet sausage, broccoli rabe, toasted bread crumbs, and fennel pollen

The Tasty Crustacean: homemade tonnarelli in a creamy lobster reduction sauce with lobster meat and a touch of brandy

The Feature:

Drunken Golden Bird: parmigiano reggiano crusted Bell & Evans chicken breast in a lemon and white wine sauce served over spinach

Upstream Swimming Fish: wild caught sockeye salmon pan roasted with haricot vert in a grainy Dijon mustard sauce

Dessert

Cannolis

It's safe to say that I loved everything about Tableside so much that I am giving it a 10/10. I heard they are starting brunch soon and can't wait to go back!

Tableside Italian Cook Shoppe

345 East 6th Street New York, NY 10003

(646)-852-6498 tablesidenyc.com