Pardon the play on words, but I just went to Adoro Lei right before Valentine’s Day and sampled their $35 Three Course Valentine’s Prix Fixe Dinner–and ADORED it! Most of these items were created by the chef just for Valentine’s Day but you can get the Burrati, Pizza (which they call “Lover’s Pie” for Valentine’s Day) and Skirt Steak on the regular menu. There are other configurations of Ahi Tuna and Sauteed Chicken as well.
But here’s the 411 on this HELL OF A DEAL. Let me add right here that this intimate, dimly lit eaterie on a quiet Tribeca Street has a lot of charm and space. The crowds tend to be on the young side, but the fare is diversified enough that people of all ages who appreciate dishes with artisanal ingredients will love it. You will also get a giant kick out of their specialty cocktails including the tequila-based Silent Assassin punch served in a super large elegantly detailed glass that looks like a punch bowl (and comes with a ladle). It is equal in size to about 15 drinks! I feel that at $55, it’s actually a BARGAIN! It would be a truly romantic item for two couples to share on Valentine’s Day.
I was lucky enough to attend a press dinner to check out the V-Day 2017 Dinner which actually is available all the way to 2/18/17. This remarkable menu is as follows–guests get to choose one from each category of apps, entrees and dessert. The four appetizer choices are Buratta Divine (served on top of raw honey, this is my fave), an 8″ pizza called Lover’s Pie, Chard Octpus with Shitake Mushroom, Grape Tomato and Soft Polenta and Blackened Ahi Tuna with Pistachio Puree and Pomegranate. I wish I could have tried the pizza but I was low-carbing it the night od Adoro Lei’s press dinner–trust me that it is some of the most magnificent pizza I have seen in years (and that’s saying a lot coming from a New Yorker)!
The four entree choices are Baked Atlantic Code with Caramelized Onions, Black Olives And Plum Tomato, Sauteed Chicken With Roasted Peppers, Asparagus, Fresh Mozzarella and Balsamic Glaze, Skirt Steak Aupoua With Triple Cooked Fries and Fresh Chittara Pasta With Lemon Pistachio, Grape Tomato and A Touch Of Cream. My favorite was the Balsamic Glazed Skirt Steak done perfectly medium rare–it was so tender that I did not have ask for a steak knife. The all white meat Sauteed Chicken was so tender and juicy, and the farm fresh red peppers and asparagus just made it rock (as well as make it really healthy)!
There is only one dessert choice but it is a generous portion of freshly made Double Chocolate Cake topped with a huge dollop of homemade whipped cream and a couple of juicy strawberries. It was so moist that it took a lot of willpower for me not to devour the whole thing and blow my diet. I restricted myself to just two bites but those bites were unforgettable!
Adoro Lei is an especially creative eaterie–and not just because of the gorgeous fashion-driven art on the walls but because they often have step and repeats that you can pose in front of for selfies and sharing on social media. The one for Valentine’s Day is downstairs in a private room, and if you do not have a real Valentine to pose with, they will supply one for you to pose with. He might not be your real significant other, but he’s cute–and he will offer you a rose before you pose!
Adoro Lei is most famous for their pizzas and they actually have special “pizza party nights” that I hear are remarkable. Their gorgeous old-time coal pizza oven is a work of art in itself. I would go back to Adoro Lei just to watch the pizzas going in and out. The pizza chefs working it have a real flair and you can see that they deeply enough what they do! There is also a live dj on Friday and Saturday nights.
For more info on this super fun yet sophisticated eatery, go to http://www.adorolei.com. It’s located at 287 Hudson Street, close to Spring Street. Telephone is 646-666-5096. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak dinner hours. There is a delivery menu on the site and on grubhub.com if you are too busy to come in and sit down
