Who’s Hungry – For A “Caviar Sandwich?”
Well, I sure was – and a new “seafood tavern” in New York served it up to me – here’s my review of the newly opened “Capitaine” in New York’s west village!
The restaurant calls themselves a “seafood tavern of sorts”, and for good reason!
Capitaine is the newest restaurant and bar from the team behind Libertine and Chateau Royale, occupying the former Libertine space in the West Village. I
Inspired by the great seafood restaurants, oyster bars, and wine and cocktail bars of New York, Paris, and London, Capitaine celebrates all things maritime and beyond through a lens that is at once casual, convivial, and quietly elegant.
Before we dive into the food review, let’s get ourselves a “proper” drink:
Their “Dirty Vodka” Martini – Served “Proper!”
A simple Martini, with Vodka & Olives – but they offered it in two sizes: “tiny” and “proper”….well, let’s get a “proper” version, which showed up icy cold and deliciously crisp.
Our meal began with two dishes from the column marked “Sea Creatures”:
First up was Sea Scallop Crudo, served with bird’s eye chili, peach and yuzu. Deliciously fresh, with slender slices of raw scallop that just melted in your mouth. Next up was the “Royal Red Shrimp”:
These “royal red shrimp” were mixed with bonny melon, Japanese cucumber and “tomato water” – and it was stunning! The delicious shrimp with a bite of cucumber and a rich tomato broth – ice cold – another big hit at the table!
The Capitaine Caesar was next, with baby gem lettuce, sourdough croutons, boquerones & ranchovy – which as you can see is a full-flavor and fully intact anchovy!
Here’s a video I shot that begins on the salad, and then introduces two more dishes which I will discuss next:
“Razor Clams Casino” is served in the shell with benton’s bacon & peppers, a really fun take on this uniquely rectangular clam, and it was delicious – then another showstopper arrived:
An absolutely stunning “Uni & Corn with serrano & passion fruit” bowl arrived at the table and was immediately devoured by all of us: rich, intense corn broth and uni enhanced with the Serrano and passion fruit – it was flawless.
We got the night’s special next: a soft shell crab fried to perfection and served with marinated sliced zucchini and herbs…as you can see, Capitaine is “owning” the seafood presentations!
Our next entree was this “seared bluefin tuna with heirloom tomato & bagna cauda”: deliciously delicate tuna topped with the tomatoes of late summer – again, deliciously seasoned and refreshing as well…
So, only one thing left: and it was listed in the “Caviar” category:
The “Caviar Sandwich!”
Oh my: a dollop of baerii caviar perched on french egg salad and topped with chives, all on deliciously soft and thick Japanese milk bread!
Yes, it did cost $50, but worth every penny – the thick Japanese bread and incredibly creamy egg salad come alive with the briny pop of caviar – Here’s a closer look:
And that was that: a truly delicious, unique and satisfying meal at Capitaine, one of New York’s best new restaurants, and a “seafood tavern” in the best way!
I mentioned they replaced the restaurant Libertine – I loved that place as well, partly because of this dish:
Yes I did, and here’s my whole review:
New York has more than 40,000 places to eat: from high end to carts like this:
One of the city’s best restaurants is another favorite of ours: because who doesn’t love this!
These frog’s legs sizzling in butter is why Le Veau d’Or is our favorite restaurant in the city – click here for my review and see why!
And if you want a show to accompany your drink, why not order this “sky-High Martini?”
Here’s an in-depth review of The Grill in midtown Manhattan:
And finally, I took you all to one of New York’s oldest restaurants – with 50,000 clay pipes!
See that story here:
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Categories: Alcohol And Bars, Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Fine Dining, Food, Food Travel, Food Writing, New York restaurants, Restaurants, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
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OH MY GOD I need to go there!!!! Much better looking inside than the restaurant’s outside! But the food!!!!
The owners really delivered on the “seafood tavern” promise…really vibrant flavors that let the seafood sing! Thanks for the note!
The food looks amazing, John. It sounds like it tasted as good as it looked.
Yes Robbie it was really terrific – always great to have another new place that loves seafood as much as we do!