Peachy Dines Al Fresco at The Milton Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
From a traditional dish above to a modern innovation below, The Milton doesn't miss a trick
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In all of Manhattan, there are only two venues that we visited this year for Peachy Dines Al Fresco. One is Roberta's, otherwise known as Morrell Wine Bar and Cafe, and the second is The Milton.
We first featured The Milton early in 2015:
and we were so impressed, it quickly advanced to Peachy's Picks:
Before it starts snowing, The Milton should be high on your priority list to visit as their culinary pursuits combined with their phenomenal hospitality by owners Tomas Maher and Liam Moore are the best we've seen by a new venue in 2015 across the board.
Before we arrived, Tomas was there and greeted us with a smile. Thank you for the best table outside!
You know who turned 21 in Ireland, and The Milton, ever evolving in the pursuit of excellence even in the fine art of cocktails, had three new cocktails on their menu since our last visit. Peachy Deegan selected one: The Miltonian. Gin, St. Germain, cucumber juice, lime juice, lemongrass syrup and egg white team up for a wonderfully refreshing concoction that boasts lovely consistency.
Not every cocktail-producing venue in Manhattan has culinary endeavors that match or exceed the superior drinks, but of course The Milton does or else they would not have earned their third feature in fewer than eight months. Can you remember anyone else that's done that this year? We can't. There are also three new snacks on what we would term the appetizer section of the menu. The Milton will have four menu changes on an annual basis. We selected the tremendously flavorful Steak Tartar.
The presentation is unique in a petite Mason jar of 4 oz, and what you find inside will wow you.
Hand-cut tenderloin arrives from D'Artagnan, and is cleverly enhanced with shallots, cornichon, whole grain mustard and topped with egg mouse. Orwasher's country bread toasted to perfection comes to the steak tartar party which you want to be invited to! Every bite was decadent and delicious and announced to the world that casual Irish gastronomy has arrived on the Upper East side of Manhattan (the best part of town.) (For upscale Irish gastronomy go down the street to see Paul Farrell at Kings' Carriage House.)
Peachy has never tried the Green Mango and Cucumber salad, so she was up for giving it a go. Previously, she has really enjoyed The Milton Salad. We place a lot of importance on salads, and The Milton hits the high points here as well. Splendidly shredded mango and cucumber form a symphony of nutritional goodness along with red onion, fresh herbs and honey curry grilled shrimp if your little heart desires those as well. Ours did.
The succulent shrimps were seared gloriously, and the seafood comes from Buyside Seas. This friendly one in particular demanded a close-up. A bit of puffed rice adds some texture and lime and honey dressing is a nice garnish.
Though Ireland is not the best climate to produce wine, California is and Irish people can move there.
With her entree, Peachy Deegan chose one of her favorite kinds of wine, Cabernet, made in her favorite country, the USA! Its robust nature and bold dark fruit flavor made it the ultimate companion for her entree. Tomas thank you for your Goode suggestion.
There are two new Mains on the menu since our last visit, and Peachy chose one of them as her entree. The Pan Seared Black Sea Bass was simply majestic in presentation, flavor, freshness and overall design.
The Pan Seared Black Sea Bass was extraordinary in itself; it not only met but also exceeded our expectations of the entree. We believe the entree of any meal should be the shining star and the best component and here the delicious fish is further highlighted by butternut squash, hen of the wood mushrooms and sunchokes. They all dance in a luxurious sauce of curry beurre blanc: homemade curry, butter, chablis, peppercorns, red onions and cream which is poured on it right in front of you. We cannot WAIT to eat this again and it's the best thing we ate this fall.
"Not too many people were born and raised in New York," says owner Tomas Maher who hails from Ring, County Waterford, Ireland. "My vision for The Milton is to create a home for everyone in New York who desires a home away from home with a proper made cocktail, no pretensions, and really great food. Leave your problems at the door!"
Even more problems melt away with the chocolate molten cake:
Our esteemed panelist adds:
The Milton is the uptown go-to for a touch of the Olde Sod, a friendly drink, or a cheerfully pulled draft. The food is not pub fare. To be sure, The Miton takes the idea of a pub to the next, more modern level. It may have that feel, with the warm and cozy brick-walled environment, but its heart is so much more than hometown: welcome to the new cosmopolitan Ireland. The barmen make their own infusions and spirits with demerara sugar. The drafts are local, specialty, mixed with the familiar. I'll just mention here that the Guinness I had was the creamiest version I've had in a good long while, with the owner explaining that their lines are shorter (for draft beer fanciers this is an important point). By way of explanation: a short draw is key. The 45% angle is key. Guinness drinkers are serious, and at The Milton, it's a study in draft. Their cocktail menu reads like an appetizer selection, with a fun mix of seriously developed combinations that become a tour de force example of what a cocktail can be.
We started with the "Long Day at the Office", and may I say, it works. Made with Elijah Craig 12 year old bourbon, Campari, Cynar (an Irish artichoke liqueur) and Dolin Red Vermouth, it's a next gen Old Fashioned, a salute to Mad Men, and all the hard working Madison Avenue execs out there. Lets talk about the food for a bit, though, as this is important. The owners of The Milton take a very serious view of their kitchen, as well as the bar. The food is a touch of Irish, a hint of known standards, with a wave of modern overall.
After that magnificent cocktail, we ordered the Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Flatbread, which comes served on artistic wooden boards hewn from naturally fallen trees in upstate New York. Quite the approach to recycling, and a beautiful presentation for a delicious beginning. Next came the Baby Artichoke Salad.
The artichoke theme seems to have crept in quite inadvertently, but it's a great way to sample the delicious wares at The Milton. Tossed with baby arugula, pine nuts, pickled golden raisins (in-house, of course), the tenderest baby chokes are braised in white wine.
This was enjoyed with a superlative Rose, from France: M. Chapoutier, that was the perfect farewell to summer while balancing the flavors of this Fall menu.
It was perfectly chilled,with a nice tart finish that added a lovely balance to the appetizers. The main course: the Coconut Curry Vegetable Pot Pie, now accompanied by the aforementioned Guinness, has the perfect flaky crust housing a hearty mix of vegetables.
The vegetables are (wait for it) artichokes, mushrooms, potatoes and peas in their cradle of cream. This particular selection is also offered with chicken, for those craving a hit from the henhouse. The twist with curry brings a new take on a traditional Fall/Winter staple comfort food, and with that pint, would have been enough as the perfect after-work filler. The Milton offers so many delectable entrees that it's a cinch we'll be back to try more. As the menu says: "Laughter is brightest where food is best" and at The Milton, they take this to heart. Slainte.
Happy 1 year November 5th to Liam Moore on the left and Tomas Maher on the right!
The Milton continues to be Highly Recommended by Whom You Know.
