The Darby
244 W 14th Street
212.242.4411
The Darby is an absolute gem located
about a block away from where it should be located, the Meatpacking District.
Instead, it is located on the borderline-sleazy West 14th Street
between 7th and 8th Avenues. The allure is for the
trendy, social, MePa crowd so it’s close enough to be on the radar of those
seeking just that. The Darby has a speakeasy vibe, with a nightly jazz band
playing for the patrons to enjoy. My first cocktail incorporated watermelon ice
cubes, so it looked and tasted delicious. I also tried the Floozy; grapefruit
vodka, lemon, rose champagne. Summery and refreshing!
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| Watermelon ice cubes |
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| Various cocktails |
Let's eat! We began with the
ricotta crostini with braised artichokes and garlic, followed by baked clams and the burrata
mozzarella. If burrata is on the menu, I always order it. Next up
was the phenomenal charcuterie board. The signature veal ‘bacon’ with homemade red
mustard was thick-cut and smokey, the foie gras terrine with mandarin orange
marmalade and pickled grapes was rich and sweet, and the duck breast with green peppercorns was
sliced super thin. Yum. It was a creative selection
for a charcuterie board. Also shared amongst the table, the sweet potato
ravioli with toasted pumpkin seeds, chili flakes, and Parmesan.
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| Crostini & Clams |
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| Charcuterie Board |
The only thing
I questioned after the meal ended was, what is The Darby Downstairs?
Known by
insiders as The Beehive, I learned that the honeycomb-themed lounge has a
constant line out the door and keeps a trendy crowd at hand. I left The
Darby full and tipsy (the way you should leave any restaurant), and I
will be back soon to try The Darby Downstairs.
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