NYC Restaurants

I passed by Untamed a number of times before finally stopping in.  It's located on West 39th Street, a block slowly growing into a food destination.  The restaurant has a quirkly, yet inviting feel with some counter seating and one large sharing table.  It's a place where hipsters go to chow down and part of a new breed of sandwich shops, sort of like the anti-Subway. Untamed says its sandwiches are meant to be natural, untouched and unbridled and that it expects the same from its suppliers.   It also lives up to its motto - "slowly cooked, quickly devoured."

Sandwiches here come with names like "Nettle Neck," made with braised lamb neck, walnut nettle pesto, gruyere with charred onions on top.  The "Hot Goldie" offers beer-braised short ribs with red onion, sweet and sour cabbage and a black pepper aioli.  Then there is the "Carla Bruni" which makes braised vegetables the star with whipped goat cheese and a layer of olive spread.

I tried "The Butt" which conjures up some nasty images.  It's actually super tender braised pork butt served on a crispy ciabatta roll with broccoli rabe, pepper jelly, sharp cheddar and dijon mustard.  Let me say, this sandwich kicks butt and is one of Untamed's hottest sellers.  I ordered mine with a side of spicy cheddar- jalapeno grits which I couldn't get enough of.  Other sides include crispy dill pickles, roasted carrots and a rye berry salad. They also make a chilled cauliflower soup with aleppo peppers.  Desserts are more like finger foods, ranging from a double chocolate pretzel cookie to a flourless chocolate almond saltie.

The menu at Untamed is simple and fresh with specials added from time to time.  They also serves an eclectic mix of wines, craft beers and hard ciders.  With flavors like these let's hope they never get tamed.