View from the Chef’s Counter at Aldea

Here’s a hidden gem… Aldea is a little restaurant in the Flatiron serving up a sort of modernized Portuguese food, with some Spanish touches and seasonal and local produce.  The menu is tight,  gracefully toeing the line between high-end (foam on stuff) and rustic (my duck/rice dish was out of this world). We scored a couple of seats at the chef’s counter, which sounds deceptively fancy but really anyone can call up and reserve.  Go with a someone who appreciates the function of a professional kitchen- it’s like theater.  I’d take a date here, or my food-loving parents, or my best friend for a night out.   Here’s dinner…

 

foie

 

amazing dish of bacon, soft poached egg, peas and summer truffles.

crudo

super delicious take on arroz con pollo... but it's with duck and chorizo

 

roast pork tenderloin

Aldea: 31 w. 17th nr Fifth.  Read Platt’s very good review on nymag.com and the great review in the New York Times.