The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
I know what you are going to think: what I am doing, dining in Times Square where lots of restaurants are more concerned about food traffic than returning customer, proposing just ok meals when not subpar with some exceptions. The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens located on the 9th floor of The Edition hotel is surely one. Opened last February by John Fraser (Nix, the regretted Dovetail or Narcissa) is a take on French brasseries and American chophouses where Chef Fraser worked early on in his career.
But you need to know it is there, otherwise you will pass in front of the hotel as we did many times without knowing such jewel was there. As you arrive on the 9th floor, you are overwhelmed by black and white photos that you can admire while waiting for a table. The dining room, separated from the bar, gives the feel that you are outside with all the plants and they do have an outdoor space that I did not get a chance to see (it was cold that day and I was not that motivated to check it out).
The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
I noticed that they were careful to sit people apart from other patrons, leaving a table or two in between, keeping an intimate setting preserved by an acceptable noise level. Many wise, they have a wide range of dishes: vegetarian, seafood, meat, pasta, etc. So it can be hard to make a choice, so many seeming delicious and know that the portions are not so bit, with several dishes proposed in a smaller portion. I started the meal by ordering one of their cocktails: The Wiz, made with Japanese whisky, moonshine (white whisky may sound more elegant), green Apple and ginger, a quite refreshing start.
The Wiz cocktail at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
We then could not resist trying their deep dish focaccia, made with smoked mozzarella and spiced tomatoes, on which they cut some pieces of fresh basil. This is a must have: this fusion between a deep dish pizza and focaccia bread is amazing. The thick and fluffy focaccia is superb, not dry, covered with lots of cheese and complemented well by the freshness of the basil. When I think that I got a deep dish pizza this size at Giordano’s in Chicago that was horrible because extremely dry, I am thinking that they should switch it for this!
Deep dish focaccia at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
Deep dish focaccia at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
The second appetizer that was all for me was the grilled octopus that was served with sweet peppers and an orange ponzu sauce for a bit of acidity and citrusy flavor. The octopus was succulent: nicely charred and not rubbery. My only regret was that it was a small dish otherwise I could have eaten more.
Grilled octopus at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
Grilled octopus at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
For her entree, Jodi went for the cauliflower Tagine that was a great vegetarian dish, not like the kind that is created quickly in case somebody ask for it. No, it looked very appetizing with its green sauce made with spinach and Tunisian spices that was put on the cauliflower at the table. And taste wise, it was delicious, from the cauliflower itself that had a little crunch to the couscous underneath.
Cauliflower at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
On my side, I was set on ordering the tagliatelles with king crab and I admit that my only regret was that I took the appetizer size...Elegant, this dish had a nice amount of jumbo lump crab and the house made pasta, covered with sourdough breadcrumbs, although slightly overcooked, was delicious.
Tagliatelle with king crab at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
Tagliatelle with King Crab at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
Last was dessert: the milk chocolate almond torte was a great way to end that meal. Not that big (we could have ordered two desserts in fact), it was quite chocolatey, the almond flour giving a nice texture and the raspberries a good contrast with the chocolate. Superb!
Chocolate almond torte at The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens in Times Square
So we were thrilled that we found this place. It is a bit pricey but you get excellent food there. And the service is fabulous. In fact they understand the difference between good service and hospitality. Rare these days...
Enjoy (I did)!
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The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens - 701 7th Ave, New York, NY 10036
