Sensa

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Sensa

Photo: Cititour.com

Contact Info:

Address: 676 Sixth Avenue (at 21st Street)
City: New York, NY
Zip: 10010
map: View the Map
Phone: 212-807-0615

Food Info:

Cuisine: American

Cititour Review:

Had my cousin Mark, in town from California, not joined me for dinner at Sensa, I might not have realized some of this stylish-looking restaurant’s shortcomings. By the luck of the draw, three of the things he asked for – either on the menu or reportedly behind the bar – were mysteriously unavailable. (Why corn on the cob would be on a December menu mystified me from the beginning.) Our very charming and accommodating waiter, Sandiago, did what he could to rectify the situation, but a slight damper remained. Fortunately, that’s enough of the bad news; the good news is you can enjoy a fine meal here and fairly reasonable prices. The cuisine is primarily American-based, but with a variety of Asian or North African touches added on for flavor. For example, that appetizer staple, fried calamari is done in a tempura-style batter and generously drizzled with a ginger-flavored dressing. It’s definitely worth ordering, and easily split by two. The Caesar, essentially a plate of romaine and slices of good parmesan in a light dressing, is pleasant enough, but it pales besides the more complex baby spinach salad that gets an extra kick from morsels of baked prosciutto. The entrée selections cover all the bases: steak, duck, pork, poultry, and fish – even a kobe beef burger. Wild salmon was simply but nicely prepared, while roast chicken wasn’t quite as I envisioned; the breast had been pre-sliced, and both it and the accompanying thigh/leg were a tad dry, as was the accompanying polenta-corn cake. But the presentation was first-rate, and the chicken was nicely spiced. Desserts turned out to be the strongest part of the meal. A chai-flavored crème brulee was delicious, complete with a properly-made burnt sugar crust. Meanwhile, a new addition to the menu, a mound of Bavarian cream topped with chocolate cookie crumbs and napped in raspberry and chocolate sauces, was positively addictive. One more thing turned out to be missing that night – a DJ supposedly begins spinning tunes at 8pm, but he either had the night off or came after we left at 9:30pm. Unlike the corn, the light beer, and the Bailey’s Irish Crème, even Mark didn’t mind that omission. But if I head back to Sensa sometime – and it’s possible I will – I’ll let you know what he plays.

 

Review By: Brian Scott Lipton

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