Tasty Tidbits: Brasserie 1605
Overlooking Times Square from the lobby level of the Crowne Plaza, the only hotel in the city with a front door actually on Broadway, Brasserie 1605 offers the best seats on the Great White Way. A result of the hotel’s recent $85 million renovation, the restaurant blends retro diner chic with New York style to create an engaging, casually comfortable setting for diners seeking reasonably priced and familiar, yet intriguing, soul-gratifying food intended to satisfy a range of appetites.
LOCATION: In the heart of New York’s famed Theater District on Broadway between 48th and 49th, in the “Crossroads of the World” as Times Square is known and at the epicenter of the newly coined “Chocolate Corner,” where two American candy icons - Hershey’s and M&M - converge. Brasserie 1605 is ideally situated for Times Square explorers and the Broadway show bound.
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.
SIGNATURE
DISHES:
Braised short rib sliders, fried onions, au jus, toasted brioche bun
“Firecracker” popcorn shrimp, rice noodles, scallions, chili lime sauce
Steamed vegetables, red coconut curry sauce, bok choy, snow peas, shiitake mushrooms, Napa cabbage, haricots vert, white and green asparagus
Homemade 3 bean chili, cilantro jalapeno cream, brioche croutons
Salads
CP salad, chef’s salad with romaine, fresh turkey, smoked ham, slow roasted tomatoes, marinated artichokes, chick peas, deviled eggs, gruyere cheese, Applewood bacon, Dijon dressing
Duck confit salad, butternut squash, roasted pecans, roasted fig relish, pomegranate vinaigrette
Entrees
Spiced Maine scallops, back bean hummus, roasted sunchoke, lemon-tahini butter sauce
Skirt steak, grilled asparagus, rainbow chard, scallions, poblana jasmine rice, adobe sauce
Lump crab cakes, parsnip and pepper slaw, lobster cream sauce
Braised short ribs, jalapeno-cheddar grits apricot-apple chutney
Desserts
Ginger and lychee crème bruleé, whipped cream topping, biscotti
White chocolate and blueberry bread pudding, Amaretto cream sauce, white chocolate gelato
SPECIAL MENUS:
PRE-
THEATER $25 for three-course menu available daily from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. –
the best value on Broadway for the best seats on Broadway
KIDS: $18 three-course menu complements the adult pre-theater menu
EXPRESS
LUNCH Daily three-course menu for $16.05, served in under 30 minutes
WINE PROGRAM: Generous selection of wines-by-the-glass, 20 choices, including five sparkling iterations, representing the most popular varietals. The compact50-bottle wine list is an ode to American viticulture, with an occasional nod to France, Italy and Spain
HOURS: Open daily
Breakfast 6:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Lunch 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner 4:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
PRICES: Dinner Appetizers $9 to $14
Salads $10 to $17, side and entree portions
Entrees $14 to $32
Sides $6
Desserts $9.50
Lunch Appetizers $9 to $14
Salads $10 to $17, side and entrée portions
Sandwiches $14 to $19
Pizzas $12
Entrees $18 to $32
Sides $6
Desserts $9.50
SEATS: Tables 54
Booths 57
TOTAL: 111
GROUPS: Brasserie 1605 can accommodate groups up to 25 for seated meals in the main dining room.
PRIVATE
FUNCTIONS: The Coffee Bar & Lounge area, overlooking the dining room can accommodate small gatherings for a seated affair and as many as 60 for a receptions
PARKING: On-site valet parking available
CREDIT CARDS: All major
RESERVATIONS: Accepted, call 212-977-4000 ext. 6000
