Tasty Tidbits: Andre
The setting, a cozy and intimate restaurant on the corner of 57th Street and Lexington Avenue. The menu, Contemporary-French with American accents, directed by newExecutive Chef Ted Pryor. Your host, a new, yet seasoned, kid on the block called André.
Longtime restaurateurs Frederick Lesort and Antoine Blech have conjured up a new neighborhood staple that will wine and dine locals, tourists and the like for any occasion. Whether you are meeting business associates for a power breakfast over Baked Eggs with truffled shallot cream or Apple Brioche French Toast…have breakfast with André. After a much needed break between Bloomingdale’s and Bergdorf’s on a hot summer day, indulge in a cold, crisp glass of Chardonnay and a lovely salad of smokey Grilled Prawns, Avocado and Mango… have lunch with André. Looking to cozy up with a bottle of Pinot Noir and tasty Hangar Steak Frites with sauce Bordelaise to match … have dinner with André.
“André offers what we believe to be a much needed and welcoming addition to this neighborhood,” says partner Antoine Blech. “In today’s tough climate with iconic restaurants being forced to shut and diners looking for an affordable, inviting and comfortable spot to call their own, André is stepping up to the plate. Between our restaurant know-how from years of service in the community, our ideal location on a busy corner on the Upper East Side and our new chef’s culinary flair, a new restaurant for today’s diner, is born.”
Chef Pryor has created a very current, elegant and approachable menu for André, named for the middle name both Lesort and Blech share. Each dish presented is neither too large nor too minimal answering the need for sensible portions. Each plate has been designed to offer just the right amount of ingredients, color, texture and satisfaction. For dinner, guests will enjoy seasonal appetizers such as Jonas Crab Salad with pea puree, zucchini blossom’s and a mango vinaigrette; Jambon de Bayonne and Melon Trio with poppy seed vinaigrette (a dish so pretty it’s almost a shame to eat…almost); and tenderLobster Ravioli with summer squash, baby basil and lobster bisque. Main courses feature several seafood options, including a Warm Poached Lobster Salad with baby golden beets and osetra caviar; Poached Atlantic Salmon with new potatoes, Jersey asparagus and sauce vierge; as well as dishes such as Herb-Encrusted Rack of Lamb with haricot vert and pomme sarladaise. Pasta lovers will appreciate Lightly Braised Maya Shrimp with fresh Tagliatelle and Fresh Pappardelle with morels and Jersey asparagus.
For a casual lunch a must-have Smoked Salmon Club Sandwich on grilled bread with avocado, red onion, tomato and lemon vinaigrette, is offered along with entrée-sized salads in addition to the full dinner menu. For breakfast, which can be enjoyed on any of the three newly expanded balconies, guests can choose from a variety of egg dishes as well as Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes with apple butter and spiced apple compote, Rise & Shine Shake with yogurt and fresh fruit and Stone Ground Oatmeal with cinnamon, bananas and raisins. A delightful Jazz Brunch is also served on both Saturdays and Sundays.
By day, guests can have breakfast and lunch from the new André menu throughout the entire space and at night the intimate and cozy 36-seat corner dining room overlooking Lexington Avenue serves up André’s top-notch cuisine, while the newly refurbished front area serves as the well-known Opia Lounge. Opia Lounge features a lively crowd for international sporting events, live entertainment on Mondays and a tasty lounge menu which includes a variety of sliders, flatbreads, fresh made sushi and refreshing cocktails.
Designed by Jordan Mozer and nestled into the newly branded Renaissance Hotel, André will be open for breakfast Monday – Friday 7am – 11am and Saturday – Sunday from 8am – 11am; Brunch on Saturday & Sunday from 11:30am – 4pm; Lunch Monday – Friday from 11:30am – 3:30pm and Dinner Monday – Saturday from 5:30pm –11pm, closed for dinner on Sundays. For reservations call 212-688-3939 or visit www.opiarestaurant.com.
