By: Anne M. Raso
We were recently invited to attend a special pre-opening tasting dinner at
Social Eatz in Manhattan, which is co-owned by Chef Angelo Sosa, made famous on Top Chef's Season 7. Angelo wanted the theme of "comfort food with an Asian twist" and he's doing it right (if you want our opinion, we thought he should have not been eliminated from Top Chef -- but that's a whole 'nother story)!
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| Anne with Chef Sosa! |
So, what did New York's food media get to taste at our private dinner last Tuesday? The list was simple and our server Hannah was completely "da bomb" at explaining each item in detail if we had questions: Tomato Curry Soup, Smoked Ribs, Imperialist Hot Dog, Charred Bibimbap and Chocolate Toffee Brownie. We selected from the house microbrewery beer (Social Eatz Ale) and house cocktails (Yuzu Collins, Monsoon Sour, Carrot & Ginger Fizz, Coconut Curry Daiquiri and Bloody Social). Yeah, we know that last cocktail sounds like it was named by an Englishman! Our drink of choice was a virgin version of the Carrot & Ginger Fizz, and all we have to say is that is a MUST for lovers of homemade ginger beer!
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| Carrot and Ginger Fizz |
We love anything spicy, and so pretty much everything set before us suited our fancy, but the Tomato Curry Soup and the Smoked Ribs were especially enticing! The Tomato Curry Soup featured a touch of the freshest creme fraiche on the top and a peppery kick at the end (thanks to the green chilies), while the Smoked Ribs were fall-off-the bone tender since they were braised for three hours in a tamarind sauce and then cooked over mesquite.
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| Tomato Curry Soup |
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| Smoked Ribs |
As for the other dishes, the Imperialist Hot Dog is actually a chicken and pineapple sausage with green pepper relish and a sake cheddar cheese sauce the diner gets to pour on themselves...do we have you salivating yet? All the meats are humanely raised and grass fed, so you can count on prime quality in every dish! The Charred Bibimbap is actually a charred burger of beef topped with kimchee, sriracha (hot sauce), mayo and an egg yolk cooked for a whole hour. The Double Chocolate (sesame seed-sprinkled!) Toffee Brownie came to us laying in a pool of gula jawa--a toasted sugar that carmelizes into a toffee-like consistency--and with a shot glass of flavored rice milk to wash the sugary goodness down.
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Imperialist Hot Dog
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| Charred Bibimbap |
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| Chocolate Toffee Brownie |
We love the fact that this casual yet chic midtown eaterie has some price control in this bad economy--amazingly, all items on the menu are under $10 with the exception of two. The restaurant just opened for business the night of Thursday, March 10th and we know that there will be lines out the door, so be sure to try to make a res (even though they are not mandatory in general).
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| The Crowd |
We say, run, don't walk to Social Eatz! Angelo Sosa might not have won Season 7 of Top Chef, but he's a winner with his new eaterie! On a final note--there are eight incredible burgers to choose from including an Edamame Burger and Grilled Tofu burger for veggies/vegans.
Social Eatz
232 East 53rd St
New York, NY 10022
(212) 207-3339
[Photos: Anne M. Raso]
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