6 Forks on the KN 5-Fork Scale

For our annual dinner date for his birthday, My Most Favorite Lunch Companion and I chose Mike”s Bistro, at 228 West 72d Street on Manhattan”s Upper West Side. The experience was sublime – this place rates 6 forks on the KN 5-Fork Scale.

The ambiance is lovely. You can sit in the “atrium” and watch the world go by, or dine inside. Lighting is soft yet sufficient. Our waiter was helpful but not obsequious or hovering; each of his suggestions was right on the mark. Chef Michael Gershkovich – who looks much younger than his 31 years – makes a point of coming out to greet each table and discuss the food.

And such food! The portions are not huge, but they”re not skimpy either, and frankly, it”s a welcome change from the overloaded plates that many restaurants consider de rigueur these days. The presentation of each dish was a work of art in itself.

We started with a beet/endive/orange/walnut salad, an excellent blend of sweet and tart flavors. MMFLC”s appetizer of gnocchi with duck sausage (also available as a main course) was, in his words, “really tasty – it proves right away that this guy knows what he”s doing.”

Main courses were a delicately seasoned lamb shank that was so tender it fell off the bone, and short ribs that MMFLC termed “very tender yet lean. Not too sweet and balanced with some semi-bitter greens and assorted beans.”

An advantage of reasonably-sized portions is that there”s room for dessert. We chose apple fritters with apple sorbet and chocolate babka bread pudding with chocolate sorbet. Need I say more?

Of course a dining experience like this isn”t cheap, but the prices are quite reasonable considering the unmatched quality of both the food and the service. Consider Mike”s Bistro for your next occasion. And if you don”t have an occasion, create one – it”s worth it!

dwenger