Peachy Picks Brasserie 1605
Previously, Brasserie 1605 was featured in Tasty Tidbits:
We are pleased to announce it has graduated to Peachy's Picks! It is a hidden jewel in the craziness of the crowds of Times Square, and it is the perfect place to retreat to if you seek a quality dinner in the serenity of a classy atmosphere, away from horrid chains and in the pristine hallows of the Crowne Plaza. Brasserie 1605 is one of the best places to dine in Manhattan in Times Square, and you just need to find its door on Broadway and go up! The Whom You Know dining panel was pleased with our experience and the high caliber American cuisine did not disappoint!
The onion soup had us at hello! This is among the best onion soups we've ever had in the city and the cheese was to die for. Not only is the food amazing, but the views are spectacular too. As you walk into the Crowne Plaza from Broadway, you take an escalator up to Brasserie 1605 so you actually look out onto Times Square from the cool ambiance of the Brasserie.
The best aspect of our whole experience was the service. Joan Vogel was our waitress and she is among the best we've had in the city. A veteran of Brasserie 1605 since its original grand opening in April 1990, Joan impressed our panel with her perfect memory. She did not write down one thing we ordered and did not make one mistake. In addition to passing our test of being super detail-oriented with flying colors, Joan was fabulously friendly. Although Brasserie 1605 just spent $85 million in renovations that certainly are positive and obvious, they would not have been able to improve upon the service for any amount of money. Joan Virginia Vogel is also an opera singer and next we want to hear her sing. Lauren Roth was also polished, professional and friendly and made our evening!
Peachy did order the onion soup and enjoyed it, and our panel also sampled the CP salad, a Chef's Salad, and the 1605 Salad. We were surprised with a "no thank you" portion of pea soup (simply fabulous!) and tuna (also quite good.) We all said thank you! Sipping on Piper Sonoma Select, Peachy found the Steak Au Poivre prepared perfectly, and cooked exactly the way she ordered it. Chef Christopher Smith came to greet us a few times and his personality was as sparkling as his culinary execution. The chocolate cake was the perfect ending to an outstanding meal.
The Steak Au Poivre was successfully accompanied by truffle whipped potatoes and braising greens:
Do not just take Peachy's word for it though! The Dining Panel raved:
Finding a truly notable restaurant in Times Square is like finding a needle in a haystack. There are over 100 restaurants in the Theatre District, so local New Yorkers and visitors to the City have plenty of options to choose from but none are as pleasant to the taste buds as the chic Brasserie 1605 located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Brasserie 1605 quickly breaks out of the Theater District mold by offering affordable, uncomplicated yet highly flavorful “New American Cuisine” in a friendly and modernly styled atmosphere.
Located on at the second floor of the Crowne Plaza hotel on Broadway, Brasserie 1605 has stunning panoramic views of Times Square from every beautifully appointed table. The diverse menu offers a selection of traditional “American Dishes” prepared with ingredients and cooking techniques spanning from the tropics of the Caribbean and the stone white beaches of Hawaii.
Having dined at many Hotel restaurants, I was truly impressed by the exceptional quality of Brasserie 1605’s cuisine as well as the highly attentive and knowledgeable service my dining companions and I received. Our friendly server, Joan made spot on suggestions suitable to each of our discerning palates. As a first course, I ordered the delicious Onion Soup. The Onion Soup was served traditionally in a deep casserole with a thick crust made of Gruyere, Mozzarella, and Gouda Cheese. The dish was simply amazing in taste and presentation. Additionally, our table shared the “1605 Salad” which was composed of verdant baby greens and frisee, crisp gala apples, smooth goat cheese and toasted hazelnuts drizzled with a tangy, Port wine vinaigrette. The 1605 Salad had the perfect balance of savory and sweet ingredients combining the punch of a Port wine vinaigrette with the fruity flavor of gala apples and perfect creaminess of goat cheese. The 1605 Salad complements any entrée and it is ideal for sharing. For my main course, I ordered the Macadamia Crusted Mahi- Mahi (shown below) served with a welcoming mango-papaya salsa, rainbow chard and cilantro vinaigrette. Bursting with succulent flavor and hints of the Pacific-Rim, this dish would transport even the most jaded foodie directly to foodie heaven.
For the grand finale, 1605’s celebrity Chef Christopher Smith (formerly of the famous “Roys” restaurants) carefully selected for our table, four of the menu’s most distinctive desserts (last photo). My absolute favorite and a must for any fan of fruit-flavored yummies, was the apple tart. Crisp and moist in all the right places! Brasserie 1605 is a hot dining spot in the center of it all that should be frequented by restaurant savvy visitors to New York City and New Yorkers themselves. Both groups will give this gem in the Theatre District a standing ovation.
Located in the centre of the universe, Times Square is known for the vibrant life and bright lights. Located within the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Brasserie 1605 is a wonderful dining location. It sets itself apart from the usual food chains located in this area. In the heart of the theatre district, this restaurant is the place to eat. The sleek design and atmosphere is electric. The hotel underwent an $85 million renovation a year and a half ago; it feels fresh and new, extremely pleasing to the eye. The view from the restaurants huge windows looks out onto Times Square.
Zagat voted the Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Friendliest Hotel in America, all the employees at Brasserie 1605 uphold this title and are very proud to work there.
Our server for the evening, Joan Vogel has been with the restaurant since April 1990. She oozes experience and attention to detail. Joan makes the restaurant what it is with her wholesome charm and wit. Chef, Christopher Smith is on hand to ensure your dining experience is one to remember.
Every day from 4-7pm, Brasserie 1605 offers a pre-fix menu for $25, quite the bargain for this wonderful dining experience. This menu is changed daily, so you have the opportunity to try a different culinary experience every day of the week.
Chef, Christopher Smith, offers a tasty Caribbean Twist on the dishes served. To wet our appetite we were served a sample of what we could expect. A pea soup and a spicy ahi tuna on a wonton crisp that just melted in your mouth.
For my appetizer, I ordered the Tangy Chicken Lollipops. Four delicious chicken lollipops served with a freshly made cilantro chili sauce. Cooked to perfection, the combination worked perfectly well together, leaving you wanting more.
To cleanse our palate we next moved on to the salads. Large enough to share, we split the restaurants signature CP Salad and the 1605 Salad. The CP Salad with romaine lettuce, turkey, ham, bacon and cheese was mixed with a delightful Dijon dressing. For a light lunch or dinner, this is one dish I would highly recommend. The 1605 Salad with baby greens, frisee salad, apple, hazelnuts and goat cheese is equally fantastic and tasty. The port vinaigrette reduction completed the dish.
Always recommended to try are the Chef’s Specialties, and Chef Christopher Smith knows exactly what to offer. With much enthusiasm I ordered the Lump Crab Cakes. Served with a parsnip and pepper coleslaw with a creamy lobster sauce the dish just blew me away. Being a huge fan of crab cakes, these were one of the best I have ever tasted. Fresh chunks of crab cooked to perfection! With sides of sautéed spinach and frites, our table enjoyed a hearty meal.
Obviously, unlike myself, you should save room for the array of desserts on offer, but if not, I would recommend finishing with a freshly brewed cup of coffee. The perfect end to the wonderful dinner!
Whenever you are in this area, I would definitely recommend checking out this restaurant; Brasserie 1605 is the jewel of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
Brasserie 1605 is a hidden gem given its location on the main lobby level of the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 49th and Broadway in Times Square. However, given the outstanding and attentive service, the wrap around views of Times Square and the masterfully created and diverse fusion menu, it should not be missed. The restaurant is designed in a contemporary manner, is airy, well lit and has plenty of space (alleviating a crowded feel), all uncommon luxuries in NYC. The hotel also features a bar, located down the hall from the restaurant.
We arrived at the restaurant on Friday night and found a bustling scene by the bar and in the hotel lobby. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the restaurant’s general manager, Lauren Roth, who proceeded to discuss the menu options with us. The menu was quite extensive with many fusion choices, including a variety of appetizers, salads and main courses (beef, chicken, fish, pork, pasta). The cocktail and wine list is also quite extensive with various price points.
We started with the ahi-tuna tartare (shown above), which was sublimely prepared on light, wafer crackers and boasted a savory wasabi and chipotle sauce to spice it up. It was to die for. Alongside this dish was a small shot of pea soup, which surprisingly complimented the tuna rather well. We tasted the Trinchero from Rutherford, in Napa, California at the recommendation of our expert waitress Joan Vogel who is a true Renaissance woman, given her various talents-- master sommelier, gourmand, singer, and most importantly, an outstanding and attentive waitress. Next we sampled 2 salads, one with goat cheese and hazelnuts, amongst other savory ingredients and the other with chicken.
For the main course, it was difficult to make a decision, as there were many interesting and unusual fusion-type choices, even within the traditional chicken, beef and fish, there were multiple choices. I settled on the Red Snapper with a mango salsa piled atop red tomatillo spiced rice and pigeon peas and accompanied by a side of fresh, sautéed morel mushrooms. What a treat—the fish was not dry but light and quite flavorful.
After dinner, we were treated by our waitress with a digestif, a sweet sparkling Italian liqueur with notes of cherry. For dessert, we sampled a chocolate molten cake, fresh fruit sorbet, an apple tart and a cheesecake.
Given its versatility, ambience and large space, we highly recommend Brasserie 1605 for either a romantic dinner date or to host a larger corporate event (we note the restaurant caters to corporate functions). We were very impressed with the quality of food, the diversity of the menu, the attentive/A level service and the atmosphere of Brasserie 1605. Anyone looking for a real treat in midtown should definitely check out Brasserie 1605 for dinner.
***
ADDRESS: 1605 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
PHONE: 212-977-4000 ext. 6000
WEB SITE: http://www.manhattan.crowneplaza.com/brasserie-1605.html
CHEF: Christopher Smith
MANAGER: Rosa Abreu
DESIGN: Diners are seemingly embraced at eye level by the mesmerizing signage of Times Square through windowed walls, a never-ending symphony of color, light and animation. Acrylic panels set on the white stone framing the rest of the space are striking complements to the eye-catching artwork that are bathed in the restaurant’s own dramatic lighting scheme. A sculptural fixture and recessed lighting in the soaring coffered ceiling present a rainbow of slowly changing hues that mimics the never-ending variations on the neon and LED lights outside. Sleekly spacious high backed, white upholstered booths lined up and down the center of the room lend a retro element, while providing privacy for social or business tête à têtes.
FOOD: Neo-classic American – familiar dishes re-imagined with sophisticated tweaks, some incorporating traces of the Caribbean and Hawaiian influences that are part of Chef Smith’s background. Much of the menu meets the comfort food criteria, of being robust renditions of American regional favorites that tend to make an emotional connection with diners, but have been elevated to address current culinary trends. Witness chicken pot pie made current with organic vegetables, grilled meat loaf dressed up with portobello mushroom sauce and onion rings and chicken and waffles distinguished by maple syrup infused chicken jus.
New York, NY 10019
PHONE: 212-977-4000 ext. 6000
WEB SITE: http://www.manhattan.crowneplaza.com/brasserie-1605.html
CHEF: Christopher Smith
MANAGER: Rosa Abreu
DESIGN: Diners are seemingly embraced at eye level by the mesmerizing signage of Times Square through windowed walls, a never-ending symphony of color, light and animation. Acrylic panels set on the white stone framing the rest of the space are striking complements to the eye-catching artwork that are bathed in the restaurant’s own dramatic lighting scheme. A sculptural fixture and recessed lighting in the soaring coffered ceiling present a rainbow of slowly changing hues that mimics the never-ending variations on the neon and LED lights outside. Sleekly spacious high backed, white upholstered booths lined up and down the center of the room lend a retro element, while providing privacy for social or business tête à têtes.
FOOD: Neo-classic American – familiar dishes re-imagined with sophisticated tweaks, some incorporating traces of the Caribbean and Hawaiian influences that are part of Chef Smith’s background. Much of the menu meets the comfort food criteria, of being robust renditions of American regional favorites that tend to make an emotional connection with diners, but have been elevated to address current culinary trends. Witness chicken pot pie made current with organic vegetables, grilled meat loaf dressed up with portobello mushroom sauce and onion rings and chicken and waffles distinguished by maple syrup infused chicken jus.
