NYC Restaurants

The Upper East Side has a shiny new restaurant to feed the masses that frequent this part of town, and it really delivers. Desmond’s is a casual restaurant, and although the food is upscale, the atmosphere is extremely relaxed. This is a perfect place to take a mid-day break from shopping – you would not be out of place in nice jeans and a sweater.

Pork Belly with Salted Caramel and Apple Salad is a tasty starter.  Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, incredibly sweet and undeniably porky. No over seasoning or complex sauces here, just the thick pork belly, with its crackling layer of fat and its tender but not mushy meat. The fat is perfectly rendered, with no gummy or undercooked parts, and paired with the salted caramel, it becomes more savory and earthy; almost wild-tasting. The salad is simple but refreshing, with a light vinaigrette that adds a necessary acidity to the dish.

Salmon Fishcake with Parsley Sauce and Poached Egg is another ideal choice.  A thin, extremely crisp crust covers flaky salmon, mixed with soft potatoes and fragrant herbs. It is comforting and mild tasting, and when punctured, the perfectly runny yolk of the poached egg provides a rich sauce for the fishcake. The parsley sauce is herbaceous without being too floury, merely accenting the herbs inside the fish cake. Served with some gently wilted spinach, it is a light but filling lunch.

Meyers of Keswick Bangers and Mash provides a slightly heartier dish, with excellently prepared bangers and mash, served with winey caramelized onions.

Eton Mess is a traditional British dessert that consists of crisp meringue cookies, freshly sliced strawberries, and strawberry coulis, all doused in freshly whipped cream. Served with some basil on top to cut through the sweetness, this is a delightful dessert.

This restaurant is a welcome addition to the stuffy restaurants on the Upper East Side, with delicious food and fair prices. It brings the best of merry old England right to Bloomingdale's.