Bar Martignetti

The first time I went to Bar Martignetti was about eight months ago. I met Winette and her husband for a cocktail on my first of several stops one summer night.

"You will love this place," said Winette. "The waiters are all hot and preppy and their uniforms are bright Polos and popped collars."

No matter where she goes, Winette is always scoping out the wait staff for me. If there aren't any good-looking gentlemen for browsing, she'll probably leave it off our "to do" list. I'm not sure how the cat got out of the bag -- that I'm a sucker for all things preppy, from Barbour jackets to Top-Siders to madras -- but Winette knows me pretty well.

I showed up to Bar Martignetti (shaking head in hand) after walking about ten avenues too far east and having to re-trace my steps. The corner of Cleveland Place gets me every time. When I walked in, as Winette suspected, I was in a daze. The waiters were awfully cute, even if in a Euro kind of way, and yes, sporting every color of Lacoste that's found in a child's Easter egg basket. During the summer, all the windows are open fully and according to Winette, no matter how hot it gets outside, there is always a cool breeze blowing through the restaurant. I felt like I was in Monaco, or somewhere on the Cote d'Azur. The view from inside wasn't quite the Mediterranean, but with a little imagination and a few drinks, anyone can be transported.

Unfortunately, I only got to drink and ditch that day. I scored a perfectly blended dirty martini, a few nice smiles from the bartender (pictured above) and time with Winette. I looked forward to going back with friends to fully experience what goodies, besides eye candy, it had to offer.

When I returned from my extended Christmas break in Cali, I had a slew of birthday parties to go to. It was a great way to ease back into the real world and put my January blues on temporary hiatus. One of the birthday events was LittleMissSunshine's.

I had a swim meet that weekend and was on the fence whether I wanted to join the festivities. I reasoned it was going to be harder for me to have dinner and leave the party animals than it would be to just stay home and avoid the whole night altogether.

"What? Mona's going to miss out on a party because of a swim meet? That's a first!"

"Mona staying in on a Saturday night? I never heard of such a thing!"

"I didn't know anything could stop you from partying on a Saturday night!"

These are just some of the e-mails I was slugging through the week prior to dinner. After much deliberating between me and the birthday girl and several of our other friends, I gave in. As soon as I showed up to smiles, excitement and gratitude on behalf of the birthday girl, I was happy I did.

We had the money table, in the front right hand corner as soon as you walk in. Well, we thought it was the money table until some idiot hostess kept leaving the door wide open on one of the coldest nights of the winter. By the end of dinner, we were all waiting for the check in our winter coats and scarves, like we were enjoying apres-ski cocktails.

Our server was a cute young guy who was a little intimidated by seven hot girls at one table. I tried to lighten him up a little bit but I was unsuccessful. I did mention that there was a birthday girl among us and that she needed some special attention and he heeded my advice. In winter the staff forgoes the pastel Lacostes for crisp white button-down shirts and preppy ties of green and blue. It was mid-January, but they left up the Christmas lights--which I loved. I made sure to mention to our server how festive it was, no matter how long after Christmas. I hate when places race to take the lights down at 2 p.m. on New Year's Day. Let them breathe a little in the new year is my philosophy.

We ordered a few things for appetizers: peekytoe crab dip with avocado and crostini (two orders) and the "best mac 'n cheese ever." The crab dip was excellent -- not too fishy which I often dislike, but enough crab that you got some in every bite. I probably would have liked the mac 'n cheese better if I got to taste the crusty top, but I got the bottom of the small bowl. Restaurants serving mac and cheese should really make it in a flat casserole dish so there's more surface area for bread crumbs and crispy burnt cheese. That's just my humble opinion.

Fashionista went for her fave --risotto. I'm not a huge risotto fan -- it's too soggy for me, like oatmeal that's too watery. She insisted it was yummy.

LondonFoodie ordered the steak tartare with pecorino, jalapeno and arugula. I loved Bar Martignetti's version of tartare. The jalapeno was a nice touch to what can be a bland dish.

FoxyLady ordered a burger and when it came to the table I had my usual burger envy. When will I ever learn? If someone in my group orders a burger and I do not, I always regret not following suit. It was juicy and sandwiched in between a big buttery roll. Delish.

I ordered toast and frites...

with a side of mussels in wheat beer with jalapenos. The mussels were on the boring side. I was excited to experience the wheat beer/mussel duo but it was bland. I've had better mussels elsewhere. Half the battle with mussels is scoring a tasty broth to dip them in, along with bread and fries, but this broth did nothing for me.

The girl next to me ordered a lobster club with avocado, watercress, bacon and fries. I didn't taste it but she said it was just OK. I think of lobster clubs as summer food. I wouldn't have thought to order one in the dead of winter.

GoldenGirl ordered the butternut squash ravioli in a butter and sage sauce. The portion was really small but GoldenGirl said it was perfect because each ravioli was so rich.

And last but not least, the birthday girl ordered her share of scallops from the appetizer menu. Look at this perfect bird's eye view.

I am impressed at how everyone's pictures came out, seeing that for the first time I threw my camera in the middle of the table and said, "Pass it around!" Most of the crew is used to it by now, but there were a few newbies who were forced to play along.

Our server surprised LittleMissSunshine, and myself, with a candle and this enormous cookie sandwich. I would come back to Bar Martignetti for just an after-dinner drink and this dessert. There were four pieces and between the seven or eight of us I think we managed to get a decent helping. I wonder if they sell these separately. Think soft, chewy, chunky chocolate chip cookies with cold, brain-freezing ice cream. Does it get any better?


For the size of our party and the amount we consumed, we were taken very good care of. Our server didn't have one slip up the entire night. Bar Martignetti offers a lively atmosphere for party-goers and there are plenty of solid dishes for all tastes. As we walked outside and said our goodbyes I was happy I ventured downtown to celebrate with LittleMissSunshine. I would have preferred to follow the sequined party dresses and sexy heels to the next destination, but I knew I had to get some rest before my race the next morning. Had I been able to foresee the sluggishness with which I competed (I went eight seconds faster this weekend, which is half a pool in swimming, just so you understand how slow I really went), I would have stayed out, partied with the best of 'em and sucked it up the next day. But alas, it wasn't my day that day, it was LittleMissSunshine's, and at least I got some QFT (quality friend time) to show for it.

206 Broome Street, corner of Broome and Cleveland Place
212-680-5600