Walk east of Broadway and step into a different city. She’s younger, not so shiny, modest. Accordingly step into Desnuda, a stretch of fifteen bar stools that promises very little and then feeds you very, very well. The wine bar & cevicheria has no formal kitchen but a an expanse of counter space that turns out gorgeous—not to mention playful— raw and semi-cured seafood preparation that feature innovative ingredients. The all-South American wine list is fun and well-priced and they even serve Feran Adria’s Estrella Damm beer, something that really excites Jamie (more on that later).
Munch on the complementary truffled popcorn while Chefs Domenic and Justin turn out Brooke’s favorite dish, the Ceviche de Salmon- glistening chunks of wild Scottish salmon dressed with lime, aji Amarillo, mango and sweet bell pepper garnished with roe. Let them pour you a glass of lightly sparkling Penedes, a lovely crisp white from Spain with nice flower and peach notes. The Penedes allows you to move from the salmon to their classic Ceviche de Atun, raw Bluefin tuna tossed with espelette oil-cured olives, green bell pepper, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm and avocado. And in an effort to make everyone’s life just a little more delicious, their nightly specials almost always include a seared tuna stack crowned with a lobe of seared foie gras and sweet pear reduction. With all of the above, Jamie sips on his idol, Feran Adria’s, signature Estrella Damm Beer, “Inedit.” It makes him feel more manly as he perches at the bar and eats raw fish with Brooke. Whatever it takes. Desnuda is a neighborhood gem that deserves weekly visits.
Leave A Comment