Django

480 Lexington Avenue
(212) 871-6600
website
Reservations Recommended

So last night, I finally got to meet someone who’d been subbed to my personal Xanga since May ’02.  We’d chatted and traded comments a bit here and there, and finally the timing just went right so we chose to have dinner together last night, also for Restaurant Week, at Django. 

Although I’d made reservations and requested an outside table, the hostess politely informed me that as we were late for our reservation, they’d given our table away to someone else.  We were 5 minutes late, and while it worked out better in the end because it was too humid outside for my taste, I noted this with a little annoyance because the hostess said we were 15 minutes late.  Either way, we entered the restaurant and were led upstairs to the dining room; there was an entire bar area on the first floor, in a very trendy decor. 

When we arrived on the second floor, we were both impressed with the size.  I hadn’t realized from the outside that the restaurant was so large on the inside… the nice part about this was that despite the size, they hadn’t packed the tables close to each other to fit even more people.  We were very spread out and comfortable, even when a couple was seated directly to my right. 

We started off with the “relish tray” – despite the far right item looking like whole grain mustard, it is actually hummus and was quite yummy, though not the best hummus I’ve had- it was a little too runny.  The center vinegar was drizzled with rosemary-infused olive oil after being set in front of us; the olive oil was very yummy.  Since I don’t like olives, I did not try these. 

Choosing from the Restaurant Week menu was fairly easy; we took everything on it! 

Chilled cucumber soup with smoked trout, green apple, fennel and dill creme fraiche // marinated calamari with watermelon, avocado and minted tomato jam

We were both surprised (clearly hadn’t paid that much attention to the menu) to find fruit in our respective dishes.  We also were surprised when the dishes became a little spicy- not excruciatingly nor unbearably so (neither of us appreciates spicy food) after a few bites, but I think overall the dishes were enjoyed. 

I thought the watermelon cubes were tomatoes until I put my fork in one and was pleased to discover that the sweet burst of watermelon complemented the squid very nicely.  I was amused, however, when I was just finishing the dish, to discover the teensiest little piece of avocado and said, “Oh, is there supposed to be avocado in this?”  (The names/descriptions are taken directly from the menu found on their website.) 

Sauteed spicy black bass with warm daal salad, pickled cucumber and herbed tomato broth // [the website says pork tenderloin but it was lamb last night] lamb with pommes puree, mustard green and natural jus

My dining companion enjoyed her dish very much, although we did comment that the mustard greens are common Chinese vegetables

As for me, apparently, I’m not a fan of upscale Mediterranean food, because the fish was just spiced wrong for my tastes.  The daal salad reminded me of a… bean? that I don’t like, and just wasn’t appetizing to me whatsoever.  I normally like pickled cucumbers, but I didn’t find that they enhanced or added to the dish whatsoever.  I ate most of it anyway, because we were busy talking and I was hungry, so it’s not like they cooked it wrong or it was awful, just not something that appeals to me. 

On to …. dessert!!! 

Basil panna cotta with strawberry consomme // chocolate cappucino cup with coffee granitee, chantilly cream & caramelized brioche

We all know how much I adore tiramisu.  Well, my 2nd favorite dessert is probably another Italian dessert, panna cotta… normally a mild custard with a sweet and slightly tart syrup served over it… it seems like a lot of restaurants have begun doing their take on it.  (It also resembles a Chinese dessert, “dofufa”, normally served with simple ginger syrup.)  I’d never had basil panna cotta before, so I was eager to try this.  The flavor of basil permeated the entire dessert, which was different from what I’m used to, and melded with the strawberry flavor very well.  However, after about half of the dessert, I was really tired/sick of the basil flavor (and I like basil) so I didn’t finish. 

The chocolate cappucino cup was really good, though personally too much caffeine for me.  The cream on top was just right, with the granitee countering the sweetness of the chocolate mousse itself. 

Yvo says:  The bar downstairs looked happening, and overall, it was a good experience.  $45 (with tax & tip) a person was a little too much for what we got, and since that was Restaurant Week prices, I probably wouldn’t go back and pay full/regular price for a meal here.  Though I didn’t enjoy my main dish, overall, I would say if you’re interested in French/Mediterranean cuisine, you should try Django, but expect to pay premium prices.