The Hopeful Traveler: Quality Meats Restaurant: Trendy Meat-Focused Fare

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Quality Meats Restaurant: Trendy Meat-Focused Fare

Despite the worn look of the Quality Meats entrance, the restaurant has
been only opened since 2006.

Quality Meats located on West 58th Street.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

One of the things on top of my list of things to do on this trip to New York City was to try the personal-sized ice cream cakes at Quality Meats located in Midtown Manhattan just off 6th Avenue on 58th Street. But I decided to make an event of the visit by having a leisurely and full lunch at the restaurant and end with the aforementioned ice cream cake.

The interior of the stylish restaurant has an industrial theme with meat-hook light fixtures, wooden butcher blocks, white tiles and exposed brick. The wine selection is cleverly displayed around two sides of the stairway that leads to an upstairs dining room.

I understand the chef is Craig Koketsu who is a rising star in the culinary world. His menu is keenly focused on fresh interpretations of American cuisine such as his "three seared filets," a 12-ounce filet mignon divided into four-once cuts each transformed to a steak au poivre, beef Wellington and beef with crabmeat and cream sauce. A highlight of the menu is the charcuterie bar and artisanal cheese selections.

Starting with a bowl of New England Clam Chowder ($10) which was smooth, thick and yummy I had to stop myself from inhaling the hot fluffy saucer of bread sprinkled with fresh herbs.

Sliced Filet Mignon open-faced lunch plate.

New England Clam Chowder.
(above photos: TheHopefulTraveler)

The choices under the open-faced lunch plates looked promising which the restaurant menu indicates is "the full package" of a sandwich, salad and side. The presentation of Sliced Filet Mignon & Horseradish on Country Bread with Haricots Verts and Onion Rings ($26) elevates the plate beyond your everyday lunch. I love open faced sandwiches and this was one of the best that wasn't drowned in a heavy layer of gravy. The bright vegetables, the perfectly crispy onion rings (they need no ketchup) and the tender slices of beef is a superb lunch any day of week.

Along came a complimentary bowl of the corm creme brûlée with an apology from the server for the wait on my entree. But this afternoon I was still in a daze of being back in New York and sipping on my glass of sparkling Proseco ($12) that the time seemed to fly. I guess I made out since the side is priced at $7 on the menu and enjoyed it with a cup of coffee. Service is a hallmark of a great dining experience for which Quality Meats receives high marks. My server was gracious to enough to not charge me for the coffee also. I love his tone was polite and never pointed at any time.

But that brûlée dampened my appetite for dessert. Guess I would have to return to Quality Meats again to try their ice cream cakes ($8) in flavors called The Nut & Honey, Strawberry Shortcake, Toasted Banana S'mores, Chocolate Covered Grasshopper and *The Monster Mash. The name of the latter requires further research.

Click HERE to view the restaurant menus. Quality Meats is located at 57 West 58th Street (between 5th and 6th Ave) in New York City. Visit qualitymeatsnyc.com for more information. Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm; Dinner: Sun 5pm-10pm; Mon-Wed 5pm-10:30pm; Thu-Sat 5pm-11:30pm. Bar: 4pm-1am. (*note: The Monster Mash is a peanut butter cake).