Gabrielle Hamilton's Prune

Ever since I watched Anthony Bourdain, Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin) and Scott Bryan (Formerly of Veritas) sucking on roasted marrow bones and eating heads on Shrimp with Anchovy butter @ Gabrielle Hamilton's Prune on "No Reservations", I knew I had to go there.

Called for a prime time Friday reservation for two about 4 days ahead. It is close to the "Nexus of the Universe" 1st Street and 1st Ave, on the same block as my past favorites like Elephant, and new ones like Tasting Room wine bar that I havent tried yet. First impression when I walked in was "Wow, this place is tiny!". It is advertised to seat 30, but those gotta be razor thin 30 people. The Host is busy pulling out the tables and letting people out from their banquette seats. You know everything your neighbouring table orders and many intimate details about their life, if you care to listen. But hey, I am here for the marrowed bones and sweet breads, a little crampedness wont bother me.

Generous pour from the bartender gets me a really nice glass of Syrah from Kunin vineyards in Central California. Connie got a glass of Godello from A Coroa, still not drinking Reds much, but at least she is deviating from the Rieslings and Gewurztraminers. She started with Fried oysters from the bar menu (It tasted nice and light, but nothing to write home about) and I went with the Marrow Bones with sea salt, parsley Salad and toasted baguette. My 3 months of diet seem well worth it when I scoop out the marrow, put it on a piece of toast, sprinkle on a little sea salt and parsley. It is out of this world! I guess it is no coincidence I booked Prune 2 days after the Biggest loser competition ended. Things only got better from there. Connie got the grilled whole Branzino. It is stuffed with Fennel, drizzled with fennel oil and served with sea salt and half lemon. Connie skillfully work around the head, fins and bones (us Asians are used to having fish served whole) while the lady next to us requested the wait staff to de-bone her fish for her and remove the head. Perhaps she should go back to Upper East side?! I had Stewed pork shoulder with Salsa Verde. It was so tasty, I had to ask the waitress for some bread to soak up all the wonderful sauce and scoop up the tender pork bits. The side of Stewed chestnut with fresh Ricotta is not to be missed. Dessert was less than stellar, but it was my own fault for not willing to walk a few blocks to Venieros. Check comes with a nice chunk of dark chocolate for each. Nice touch I thought.

All in all, a great repeatable neighborhood place with awesome homey food. 7.5/10 in my book!

P.S. Connie tasted my Syrah and liked it. There is hope yet:)