Lunch at Joseph Leonard

Lunch at Joseph Leonard is a quiet and simple affair.  The menu is an abbreviation of their regular brunch menu with a few additions to satisfy those who prefer more traditional lunch options.  MD and I dropped by on MLK Day for a bite to eat, hoping to enjoy the restaurant without its usual crowds.

Even though we were both craving Joseph Leonard’s brussels sprouts with sriracha sauce, we decided to try something new, the caramelized cauliflower.  Of course, we should have known that they do not kid around with vegetables here and we were not let down by the salad.  A mix of crunchy shards of raw cauliflower and sweet caramelized roasted cauliflower was tossed with a tangy mustard vinaigrette.  Bites of capers and pickled red onions and the toasted pine nuts were a great contrast against the sweet mild cauliflower.  This might rival the brussels sprouts as one of our favorite dishes at Joseph Leonard.

MD chose the omelette aux champignon, a beautifully executed classic french omelette.  The eggs retained their lovely pale yellow, filled with a light mushroom and creamy goat cheese filling.

And for me?  The sauteed shrimp salad with frisee, haricot vert, fennel, radishes, olives and a yogurt dressing.  I was trying to be healthy but this might have bordered on a little too light.  No problem though – this was easily solved with a crumble of bacon.  Like always, bacon always make anything better.

Before heading home, we crossed the street to Bien Cuit, the new bakery that opened up a few months ago and split their crispy chocolate chip shortbread cookie.  A great end to lunch at Joseph Leonard.

Joseph Leonard | 170 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10014 | http://josephleonard.com

Bien Cuit | 35 Christopher St, New York, NY 10014 | http://biencuit.com/