August 16, 2012 Dinner at Crimson Sparrow, Hudson, NY ![]() The menu is not that big, but everything sounds very interesting. It is split up into small plates, large plates and desserts. In addition to the food menu there is a Sake menu, drink list and wine menu. I am pretty hungry so I decide to order the monkey bread with calamata olive butter to tide me over as I think about what else to eat and wait for my food. I decide on the parmesan and onion soup with scallops and Za'tar, so when the waitress came to bring me my wine I ordered the soup. The timing of monkey bread and soup were a little bit off. I ordered the bread about 10 minutes prior to ordering my soup, assuming the bread would come out and I could snack on that while I waited for my soup. Unfortunately that was not the case. About 3 minutes after my bread came out, my soup came out. This was the only mis-step the whole evening. The waitress almost apologized as she brought me my soup, but it wasn't her fault. She told me the monkey bread is made to order, which was why it took so long...whereas the soup is ready to go and the scallops were raw...so it didn't take as long. It was all good and after tasting each one, I was happy anyway. ![]() Monkey bread w/scallions and chives and calamata olive butter - The three little buns, still stuck together, come out on their own little cutting board with the calamata olive butter to the side. The bread is glistening from the butter or oil brushed on top. Scallions, chives and coarse salt decorate the top of the buns - also glistening with the oil/butter. I pick a little bun up and it is HOT, and very soft. The bread is not raw, it is just nice and soft. Yummy! Some of the scallions/chives on top are crisped others are still a bit soft. The calamata olive butter is fully blended - there are no bits of unblended yellow butter to be seen, which can happen sometimes with herbed butters. This is a pure block of yummy purple butter. ![]() ![]() Squid with yuzu, chilis and cress - Compliments of the Chef tasting - the chef comes out and brings me a small white square plate with something mostly white in the middle, topped with bright greens and 2 small red chili pepper slices (I think). He proceeds to tell me what it is...I catch the squid part (SQUID!!! Why???) and toppings of various Japanese spices or herbs...not really sure. yuzu, Dashi...I have no idea. Since it's complements of the chef, I have to try...and boy was it good. I wanted seconds! ![]() ![]() h and creamy. When I got home I had a bite of the dessert - yet another interesting combination of flavors and textures...but one of my favorite - salty and sweet. Caramel/Chocolate with the pretzels...yum. I'm not a big fan of dates, but there were only two slices and they seemed soaked in the caramel, so not bad at all. The chocolate cake is not too moist and not too dry...went really well with my coffee. All in all a great meal. I really loved all the interesting combinations. I can't wait to, and look forward to, coming back with Sim. We can hopefully SHARE more small plates together and enjoy the colorful flavors and textures of the Crimson Sparrow. |