Saturday, December 20, 2014

Ponty Bistro: Welcome to the Neighborhood

It seems like every day I read about a new restaurant opening in Harlem.  I'm definitely not complaining, but the gods of gentrification seem to be conspiring to ruin my attempts to lose a few pounds.  Dining on a diet is not something that I have experience with, but I decided to give it a shot when my mother suggested that we have a leisurely rainy day lunch at Ponty Bistro.  Just blocks away from Striver's Row this restaurant, which describes itself as "African Fusion," is the second location owned and operated by Senegalese chefs A.Cissé & Chekh Cissé.


The inside of the restaurant is flooded with natural light and fresh flowers are placed at every table.   Posters of enlarged Senegalese postage stamps decorate the walls, and the orangey-brown leather banquettes give the restaurant a sophisticated, yet inviting feel.  It is definitely the type of place that makes you feel more fabulous just sitting there.


My neutral lipstick is Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo

For lunch we had Shrimp Caesar Salad, Dakkar Wings, and Calamari.  The salad was perfectly portioned, and the anchovies and olives were a delicious touch.  (Why do so many places leave anchovies off Caesar salads these days?)  The chicken wings were also tasty.  They were covered with a sweet pineapple sauce and came with a spicy dipping sauce that was a nice complement.  I wasn't in love with the calamari, and apparently neither was Chloe.  She took the breading off and started playing with it like it was a character in Spongebob Squarepants.  She also wasn't a fan of her Truffle Mac & Cheese so perhaps this isn't the best restaurant for children.  Either that, or they need to create a Children's Menu for especially chic kids like Chloe.



I am looking forward to returning to Ponty Bistro for dinner.  After salivating over the menu online I have decided that want to try the following dishes:
  • Cheese plate
  • Nem (Chicken Spring Rolls)
  • Artichoke Salad
  • Crispy Tuna
  • Ahi Tuna Tartare
  • Wild Mushroom Risotto
  • And every white wine and cocktail on the menu
Is it obvious that I'm on a diet?





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