Dinner at Marea

Adam and I decided to treat ourselves to a phancy weeknight dinner recently. We hit Marea on Central Park South and scored two great seats at the bar right before it started to fill up. 

Each of us opted for the four-course prix fixe. The menu was rather overwhelming, so I just asked the waiter to choose my dishes. We added on this starter, which is one of their signatures: 

RICCI: sea urchin, lardo, sea salt

I didn't take my camera, so all of these photos are from their website. This was my main course:

CAPESANTE: seared sea scallops, roasted cauli ower, capers, endive, currants, bagna cauda


However, Adam and I both agreed his roasted guinnea hen with porcini, sunchoke, brussels sprouts, pearl onion, and apple blew the scallops out of the water. When the waiter tells you to order the guinnea hen at a seafood place, you know it's good stuff...

Other dishes included
POLIPO: grilled octopus, smoked potatoes, pickled red onions, radish, chilies, tonnato

FUSILLI: red wine braised octopus, bone marrow

SPAGHETTI: crab, Santa Barbara sea urchin, basil

Our desserts were:

SEMIFREDDO DI NOCCIOLA:
piedmont hazelnut, dark chocolate, grapefruit, anise mascarpone
CROSTATA DI MIRTILLI:
huckleberries, ricotta crema, candied squash, sicilian pistachio, lemon sorbet


Should have snapped a photo of those, as I couldn't find the images on the website. Nevertheless, the Huckleberry tart was the clear winner in the dessert category. Definitely a big weeknight splurge, but it was truly a memorable meal and just such a treat! Adam is a wonderful dining companion, always up for anything. We have another special meal planned for Tuesday, and I will try to do a better job on photos, not to mention more timely posting...