Food + Drink
BITE OF THE MOMENT: Atrium at Hendriks
[All photos by Conor Rose]
You may already know Hendriks, the constantly buzzing Murray Hill restaurant favorite - but have you met The Atrium? The new extension to the constantly buzzing (even on a Wednesday night) Hendriks, The Atrium offers a more an intimate experience of Hendriks, set in a cozy dining room with an enclosed sky-lit patio.
The menu crosses over both spaces, and is plentiful with New American bites. We were lucky enough to sample the menu in the new space, and kicked off our meal with all recommendations, beginning with a brunch-y starter of deviled eggs alongside strips of practically-still-sizzling grilled Canadian bacon and creamy fingerling potatoes. Further starters included a crispy Maine crab cake with pickled radish and tart apple salad, balanced with a salad of kale, black quinoa, pickled cranberries, pecorino, shallot, and lemon.
The granite bar is a highlight of the space, greeting diners upon entrance, and along with a selection of beer and wine, the cocktail menu highlights a number of classic drinks, such as the more traditional Sazerac and Gin Fizz, and a few creative ones, such as the intriguing Earl Grey Pisco Sour, which was a combination of creamy, tangy, and gentle flavors.
Entrees boast hefty, hearty portions of upscale comfort food. The braised short ribs were impossibly tender, falling apart with the touch of a fork, and we also tried their rotisserie chicken, both with a side of whipped potatoes and roasted vegetables. Though we were bursting with food, we are also firm believers in always having room for dessert, and couldn't pass up a decadent slice of flourless chocolate cake, balanced with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Towards the end of our meal, a few patrons had popped over from the bustle of the restaurant's busier counterpart, content with finding a quieter refuge with the same satisfying menu.
You can visit The Atrium at Hendriks at 557 3rd Avenue (entrance on 37th Street). For more photos, click here. This meal was provided by Hendriks, however all opinions are our own.
