Restaurant Review: Aspen Social Club
Smack dead in the middle of Time Square, among the white lights of Broadway, gargantuan billboards, and throngs of camera-ready tourists is a cozy enclave called the Aspen Social Club.
The decor is a mix of city sophistication and warm ski lodge comfort. The foyer is dimly lit, the ceiling is made up of granular, wooden planks and along the way to the main dining room are small, intimate alcoves complete with a table and chairs for nibbling on appetizers and sipping cocktails.
With a crackling fireplace playing on a flat screen, a mass of ivory antler shaped ornaments hanging from up above and tree barks bathed in fuchsia lights in glass casings, the main dining room of the Aspen Social Club is visually stunning with a laid back vibe.
It was service with a smile when the waitress, clad in a flannel shirt, daisy dukes and knee high boots came over to introduce herself and take my order. Here's what I chose:
Libation: A blood orange colored, acai berry margarita. It was tangy, sweet and somewhat fruity.
Appetizer: The Aspen classic cornmeal trout taco with sweet peeper salsa and lime crema. This joint hit the spot. The trout was lightly fried, the tortilla shell warm, the salsa was fresh and the crema was used sparingly - just the way I like it.
Entree: Agave glazed pan roasted salmon on a bed of spinach, topped with plantains on a cilantro pesto sauce. This was the best salmon I've ever tasted. It was moist, flaky and full of flavor. The agave glaze was both crispy, zesty and proportioned evenly over the entire piece of fish. The plantains were a bit dry but I found a quick cure for that once I used them to sop up the pesto sauce. This dish is definitely a must have.
Dessert: Apple compote with vanilla ice cream drizzled with warm chocolate sauce. This was my first foray into the world of compotes. Think of this dish as a glorified muffin with cooked apple slices buried inside. It was fluffy and complimented the ice cream very well.
If you're looking for a rustic escape in the middle of New York City, give the Aspen Social Club a visit. Its inviting staff, relaxed ambiance and sophisticated comfort food evokes a contemporary, homestyle dining experience you won't soon forget.
157 West 47th Street
New York City
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