Peachy Picks Alouette Our Coverage Sponsored by Stribling and Associates
Owners Jon Michael Pardo and Mayra Cabrera-Pardo
For over 30 years, Stribling and Associates has represented high-end residential real estate, specializing in the sale and rental of townhouses, condos, co-ops, and lofts throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, and around the globe. Stribling has more than 200 professional brokers who use their respected expertise to provide personalized service to buyers and sellers at all price levels. A separate division, Stribling Private Brokerage, discreetly markets properties over $5 million, and commands a significant market share in this rarified sector of residential real estate. Stribling is the exclusive New York City affiliate of Savills, a leading global real estate advisor with over 200 office in 48 countries.
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Owners
Jon Michael Pardo (Tavern on the Green alum) and Mayra Cabrera-Pardo (her great-grandmother was French!), a husband and wife team, have got a winner at one of the most charming spots on the Upper West side with terrific French food: Alouette. It was clear straight from the amuse-bouche (we know most of you took francais dans l'ecole, however, if you did not, click on it to see what that means and add to your vocabulary!) of tantalizing smoked salmon wrapped in equally thin, attractive slices of cucumber and carrot in a balsamic reduction highlighted by moments of mango that spelled summer that this was a place we had to visit.
Server Jimmy Chhun (from Lille in the North of France), left; and Sous Chef Jeremy Segal (from close to Versailles), right; were the other winning team we interacted with. We love it when we go to a French place and meet French people-we believe in authenticity. These four individuals of Alouette were the consummate professionals all evening, thoughtfully introducing each course with care and pride. Alouette has been a staple of its neighborhood for the past 15 years and the Pardos have owned it for the past two years.
Alouette was first featured in Tasty Tidbits:
Its distinct French charm, the genuine hospitality of the staff and the outstanding escargots make Alouette the newest member of Peachy's Picks. Peachy began with escargot in garlic, shallot and white wine sauce and it was simply amazing-for her, the strongest component of Alouette's culinary options. Each snail was delicately prepared and as Peachy specified that she is a garlic enthusiast in her order, the cute little escargots emerged swimming in a sea of divine green sauce that was mopped up with every last piece of bread. You absolutely should try this. Obviously, she was so captivated by them she ignored her camera and has subsequently dreamed of the little winners since.
A notable aspect of Alouette on Saturday nights at least is that there is music on the first floor-we dined on the second, overlooking it- that adds a delightful atmosphere without being overbearing. If you are going more for the music and like it louder, then go for the first floor. Even if you are a person that likes music more than food we surmise you will stop listening the moment those escargots hit your palate. Note that at Alouette, Jeremy also adds an excellent touch of parmesean to the escargots to really make them pop. Peachy sipped on a splendid Bordeaux that was deep and versatile.
The Diver Sea Scallops were perfectly seared and arrived with companions of healthy spinach sauteed with coconut milk which added terrific color, fingerling potatoes which were perfectly crisp, and all were dancing in a commendable saffron sauce that is not to miss. They were fresh and seasonal, and as you can see, beautifully presented as well. The Parisian atmosphere was ideal for a date but also a hotspot for dinner with friends. Boasting decor that is classic-not too antique, not too modern-Alouette is aesthetically pleasing. Chocolate gateaux with cream punctuated by strawberries was the final touch:
Our esteemed panelist adds:
As an amuse bouche, we were served smoked salmon with mango salsa wrapped in a thinly sliced cucumber wrapped in a thinly sliced carrot. The flavors of the warm poisson with the usual chill flavors of the mango, carrot, and cucumber were a nice color and flavor combination that was light and got you excited for the rest of the meal.
Alouette had a nice decor that was relaxing but inviting for girlfriends, couples, and families all the same. The staff spoke French which made the experience that much richer and took you one step further in the French cuisine experience. I had the tomato tatare as an appetizer which had the look of steak tatare in it's composition and appeal, but was made from a variety of tomatoes for texture and flavors. The appetizer was seasoned in olive oil and herbs with a balsamic reduction topped with greens for added appeal and flavor.
The main course was beef short ribs served with root vegetables in a veal stock reduction. To me, this is one complete meal as I'm a meat and veggies type of girl. But the meat was so tender I could cut, slice, and scoop with one effort. It was served in a semi-bowl so it seemed like a soup that you could sip after and be completely satisfied. The flavors were hearty.
For dessert, I had a roasted pear in white wine reduction served in a chocolate sauce. It was again thinly sliced so there was little effort in cutting and more effort in eating and smiling from how good it tasted and though there was chocolate involved, you didn't feel guilty one bit about eating the whole thing. It is fruit, after all!
Okay what else? How AMAZING Jimmy and the Malbec were? Malbec and meat just go hand in hand to me. And the owners were sweet and the music was spot on with the guitar and placement and relaxation of the upstairs atmosphere.
Peachy Picks Alouette!
Alouette is Recommended by Whom You Know.
