Tweet this article !

When I got the call from Scott Barbarino, I was elated. NiteLifeExchange needed a restaurant reviewer, and all of the restaurants would be in venues with live entertainment.

Perfect! Having been in the restaurant biz for thirty years and a performer since the age of four, I felt certain that this would be a better use of my combined talents than (in one of my many past-lives) as Princess Chick Pea, Queen of the Dinner Theatre Circuit! Then came the catch: the first assignment was to review the new menu at The Iridium, the venue that Mr. Barbarino books and oversees.

Now, I am a big fan of the place. After all, I have not only enjoyed many a great evening of music at The Iridium, I have even performed there quite a few times with Scott Barbarino (the man himself) and the Bev-Naps. No problem there.

But what if I didn’t like the food???

Well, with much trepidation and a best pal in tow, I bravely ventured into the club. I had chosen a night when the fabulous Therese Genecco and her Little Big Band were playing. At least I knew the entertainment would be top notch. After ordering a very large cocktail to calm my nerves, we decided to try a Caesar Salad as a starter while perusing the rest of the lengthy and diverse menu. I have always found that one of the true tests of a restaurant’s kitchen is the Caesar. Having worked in a couple of places that served a make-at-the-tableside version, I am not only qualified to judge, but very picky about my Caesars. But uh-oh. Did I read that correctly? Here they are cheeky enough to make theirs with arugula instead of romaine? Are you kidding me? Why would anyone mess with a classic? Imagine my delight (and relief) when I took the first bite and nearly shouted “Hooray!” It was so amazing I wondered why I have never thought of using arugula. You know how the waiter always offers you ground pepper and it never seems to be enough? Arugula eliminates that need altogether. The peppery flavor of this Italian green is absolutely divine with the dressing, which in this case was light and flavorful. Thank goodness it wasn’t one of those gloppy, overdressed salads trying to pass itself off as the real thing. And although this appetizer was more than enough to satisfy me as a main course, I was here to try the food and give you readers my opinion, so onward we went.

 

My pal and I thought it would be a good idea to try something a group of friends might like to order for sharing, so we decided on the house made empanadas. Wow! They really taste like someone’s south-of-the-border Grandma made them, not like those frozen things that most restaurants serve as their own. Chef Franco Robazetti captures the essence of his roots in Venezuela with these delights. Thank goodness we got the Big Band Platter so that we could sample all the offerings, because I would not have wanted to miss any one of these sensational treats. The flaky yet substantial pastry envelops such delicious fillings as  mushrooms with truffle essence, traditional adobo beef, or rock shrimp with cilantro. The star of the pork filled pockets was the very tasty pork, which shone through the not too overpowering barbecue sauce. My absolute favorite, however, was the caprese. Who would have thought to put mozzarella, tomato, and basil into an empanada? Thankfully, Chef Robazetti did. Brilliant!

 

By now, I had relaxed quite a bit. Everything was going really well. I was in the perfect place. I felt quite at home when special surprise guest star Steve Rossi commented, “You’re my kind of gal, you’re alive!” Teehee. Now you’re talking. Bring on the entrees! And they did. Gorgeously presented, perfectly pink rack of lamb arrived with an incredible demi-glace, luscious creamy scalloped potatoes, and micro greens. An individual skillet was cleverly used as the platter for the sea bass. This remarkable fish was a thick filet with a texture and taste more like lobster or monkfish than sea bass, and was accompanied by a warm spinach and cherry tomato salad. Quite exceptional. What on earth was I fretting about? Everything is delicious!

 

On to dessert.  Even dessert is special at The Iridium. The kitchen has created a masterpiece for the late, great Les Paul, one of my heroes, and it does him justice. A guitar formed of flourless chocolate cake graces the plate with a delicately spiced fresh fruit sauce. It is whimsical, unique, and pays tribute to the man who called this place his home for so many years. To complement this, we ordered a flight of ice cream, five unusual flavors in pretty pony glasses: Cabernet had the perfect berry overtones; the Green Tea was extra strong; the Champagne, light and elegant; the Beer (yes, I said beer) surprisingly refreshing but somewhat rich (think stout, not lager); and the fifth flavor, the most delicious Vanilla ever.

< Prev		Next >