Restaurant Review: Charlie Bird

Charlie Bird, SoHo

Last night I had a truly amazing ‘New York’ moment – actually I had a few of them.  I was walking down 6^th ave on my way to dinner at Lure Fishbar when I stumbled upon the unassuming awning and patio of Charlie Bird.  Having read probably 500 reviews of this restaurant and tried countless times to get a reservation, I actually felt like I was having a celebrity sighting. I can’t even describe my excitement level when A. I saw the place and B. they said they could seat us.  At this point, I’m pretty sure I was jumping up and down while screaming.

I had very high expectations for Charlie Bird, and I knew it would deliver. Charlie Bird is great because it strikes a perfect balance on all levels – ambiance, service, menu. The scene is the epitome of New York, downtown ‘cool’ yet cozy and simple.  It’s a modern yet rustic vibe. The restaurant is lined with exposed brick, huge windows, candles, and vibrant, modern art. Even the music they play works into their scene -- think Kanye, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi and 50 cent.  The service is professional and casual.  The wine list is long, diverse, and affordable. We got a bottle of the French J. Boutin Rhone – delish. All of this and the food is incredible. 

Love this menu

Now about that food. It’s an American menu with lots of influences - mostly Italian ….I’ll break it down for you:

Grilled Octopus ‘Saltimbocca’ – Ceci Beans, Sage and Prosciutto
Perfectly grilled octopus with an amazing charred texture and flavor on the outside and chewy on the inside.  The prosciutto bits are a nice touch, too.

Razor Clams with Fennel and Pickled Chiles
Served raw and chopped in the shell. I loved the chiles alongside the fresh and light clams.  Definitely recommend.

Farro Salad – Pistachio, Favas, Mint and Parmigiano
I could and would eat this salad all day.  Don’t underestimate the power of fresh mint and parmesan.  Order this.

Spaghettini Nero – Dungeness Crab, Chiles and Meyer Lemon
I’m becoming a bigger fan of black spaghetti every time I order it.  This is served in a light lemon sauce with flaky chunks of crab in it. It comes with an awesome house-made chili sauce (which I’d like to purchase by the bottle). And they were nice enough to split the dish into 2 bowls for us. 

Roasted Chicken with Crispy Bit Salad
Chicken is something I almost never order while out. I owe Immaculate Infatuation a big thank you for recommending this dish because it was unbelievable. It’s served in 4-5 pieces of sliced chicken. It tastes like a quality fried chicken but without the heavy and overwhelming ‘fried’ flavor. It’s moist with slightly crunchy and flaky skin.  The crispy bread salad, chicken liver pate, and charred-leek ricotta are good mixed together or separately with the chicken making every bite a little bit different and equally delicious. The other large plates on the menu will tempt you, but do yourself a favor, and order the chicken.

Slow Roasted Spiced Carrots, Buttermilk, Rye and Hazelnuts
The carrots actually had a very similar texture to the chicken - flaky and crispy skin with a smooth interior.  The spiced sauce had an Indian influence. These carrots are definitely different and interesting – worth ordering and made me want to try their other vegetable combos.

Surprisingly this did not feel like an overwhelming amount of food for two people.  The ingredients are all fresh so everything is pretty light (maybe not the chicken pate). You actually feel like you’re being somewhat healthy.  The two dishes that impressed and surprised me the most were the Farro Salad and Roasted Chicken.  These are 2 dishes you see on so many menus these days, but Charlie Bird really did them exceptionally.

I cannot wait to come back to Charlie Bird again and again (with or without a reservation).  I’d love to sit at the bar or on their patio and try everything on their menu – the raw bar, pastas, desserts, and wine.  Charlie Bird gets it. If you love New York, food, wine, or need a throwback hip-hop fix, go to Charlie Bird.