Kings' Carriage House is the Best 2014 Spring Dinner We Had in Manhattan This Year! It's a Peachy's Pick & Continues to Be Highly Recommended Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
The incomparable Paul Farrell, Owner of Kings' Carriage House
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There are a lot of places to eat dinner in Manhattan, but there's only one place to dine in style where the cuisine is top-notch and you feel like you're in a gorgeous estate from the Mother Country (IRELAND!). Maybe that's because Paul Farrell IS from the Mother Country, and Dublin to be exact. In case you are English (we're that too or Welsh we can't tell), the decor will remind you of an award-winning BBC drama, and you know we sing the praises of BBC Home Entertainment with every new hit they have. We think more television and movie directors should choose this spot as a location. Peachy will even sit and eat in the background for you...
For a long time we were occupied with discovering new Manhattan restaurants we haven't been to and we still do that, but we spend our time more wisely now because we know more. The places where we want to sit for hours and hours and never leave are the absolute best, and Kings' Carriage House is one of those on this very short list. Kings' Carriage House was first featured in a formal review here:
The name King comes from Paul's wife Elizabeth, and you should know that everything you encounter there is fit for the peerage. Peachy Deegan definitely felt like a druid princess during the dining endeavor! Brooke Astor had her 99th birthday party here, and if we make it that far we'd do the same.
When Peachy was about four, her Grammy got a pillow that said:
In this case on the topic of wine, we have no need to tell him anything.
(See Peachy and Grammy on Peachy's Twitter profile. Grammy was all Irish.)
There aren't many people that can say with confidence to Peachy that they know what she'll want to drink, and that she'll agree with them. (She is pretty set in her ways with alcohol choice.) Paul is among the best at choosing great wine and we ADORED this Chenin Blanc with terrific spring notes of honeysuckle that was just pure wow. Combined with hints of pear and citrus, this was a clearcut winner and you will not be able to drink just one glass. This South African wine had the perfect dry finish as well.
Chandelier? Check!
The night we were there delicate Irish fiddle music gently massaged our ears and added ambiance without being loud.
The appetizer we chose was a complete dream: Oak Smoked Irish Salmon Tartare with Purple Potato Salad, Creme Fraiche and Salmon Roe Caviar. The salmon tartare was so fresh and delicious! The potato salad was delicately devoured with a pinkie out! The Creme Fraiche was like a pillow from the heavens! And the Salmon Roe Caviar? Simply to-die-for.
Kings' Carriage House has been open since 1994, and it's clear why in every bite of this masterpiece. There are a lot of places in fine dining in our Metropolis but few that achieve such high standards with the owner always being there and knowing your name when you walk in the door. It's clear how much care Paul takes in everything that's done here.
Please meet the porkchop of all porkchops. You might call him Godzilla. The menu calls it Grilled Double Cut Berkshire Pork Chop with Butter Braised Savoy Cabbage and Saffron Apple Sauce. That apple sauce exuded extraordinary!
The butcher that Kings' Carriage House uses has a 30-year relationship with them, and is 92 years old and clearly excellent at his craft.
The visual does not do this divine piece of pork justice, and Miss Piggy, we apologize but we believe even Kermit would betray you if this was set in front of him. Every bite confirmed this was the pork chop of all pork chops.
Paul suggested this amazing Chianti with our entree and again he was spot-on.
The perfect ending is of course chocolate, and the Dark Belgian Chocolate Ganache Torte accentuated by a white chocolate straw and divine espresso sauce totally hit the spot.
The bottom line: if you have yet to visit Kings' Carriage House, you are depriving yourself. Make your reservation and be among the elite that sit in the 50 coveted seats!
P.S. Paul we are still waiting to discover that you are related to Colin.
Our esteemed panelist adds:
If you're looking for a meal fit for a king, look no further than King's Carriage House, a fantastic dining establishment tucked away on East 82nd Street. Built as a carriage house in 1870, this gem of a restaurant has been in operation since 1994, and has developed devoted following, thanks to its homey atmosphere, excellent service and top-notch food. The night we dined there, we were well taken care of by owner Paul Farrell, as well as the warm and efficient staff. The well-rounded menu features something for everyone, with entrees including duck, salmon, lamb, and beef, as well as excellent appetizer and dessert options.
For my appetizer, I chose the Roasted Heirloom Beets with Baby Greens, which featured a delectable Roquefort mousse, as well as cherry tomatoes and toasted pistachios. It was absolutely delightful. The flavors and textures blended beautifully together, and I was sorry when I came to the end of it! I accompanied this with a lovely South African Chenin Blanc, which was both sweet and dry, and provided a lovely complement to the starter.
For my entree, I opted for the Grilled Filet Mignon, which was served in a green peppercorn demi-glace, and accompanied by horseradish creamed potatoes and wilted watercress. The Filet Mignon was expertly prepared - tender, juicy, and absolutely bursting with flavor - and the potatoes and watercress were excellent, as well.
I paired this dish with a 2005 Chianti Classico, which was robust enough to stand up to the flavorful meat, without overwhelming it. For dessert, I absolutely had to try the Warm Apple Blackberry Crumble with Irish Oatmeal Crust and Toffee Sauce.
This was simply outstanding - one of the best desserts I've had in recent memory. It was sweet, without being cloyingly so, and the hearty portion gave me extra dessert for the following night! Truly enjoyable from start to finish, our meal at King's Carriage House receives two very enthusiastic thumbs up from this panelist!
Paul we look forward to you joining Twitter and maybe Facebook...
