LAVO NY Restaurant & Lounge

I think I may have found heaven! Lavo, the sister establishment to Tao, has got to be one of the best restaurants I've tried in a long time.  It's not cheap or built for a family of 4, but it has the most amazing entrees.   They greet your table with some soft toasted italian garlic, herb bread with warm marinara sauce.  This bread alone could be your meal.  Besides the free bread, I've had a few things from the menu.  Below are the menu items that I've tasted thus far:

Brick Oven Salmon:  The house cooks it medium to medium rare and it's served with a creamy lemon butter sauce and a side of julienne style zucchini.  It was seasoned pretty well and was very filling.  The lunch portion was enough to leave you with leftovers.

8oz Filet:  Again the house prepares it medium, which for a steak can be closer to medium rare, drizzled with a dark peppercorn sauce.  It was pretty tender and the thin sauce made the steak seem to be even juicer than it would be if it were doused in a thick A1.  During restaurant week it was served with the truffle parmesan fries.  Fries aren't my favorite accompaniment with steak, but the truffle flavor was nice with the steak.

Tuna Tartare:  For my tuna fans!  The tartare was stacked with avocado, a black chili oil and small crispy garlic chips. It was a lot of tuna and a lot of avocado.  The soft avocado mixed with the soft tuna made it seem one dimensional but the oil and garlic chips allowed the dish to enter into a second dimension.

Crispy Zucchini:  Personally, fried zucchini is one of my favorite snacks.  Any restaurant that offers it, I will try it.  I've never seen it done like this tho.  The zucchini strips resembled shoe string fries and were clumped together with parmesan cheese and had a nice salty taste.  I could go to the restaurant just for the zucchini.

Margherita Pizza:  Very tasty.  It was served as an appetizer so it was a bit much to eat with the warm bread that was served.  It was almost like double pizza.  Nonetheless, it was very good with just enough cheese and basil.   (no photo)

Oreo Zeppoles:  These are double stuffed fried oreos served with a tiny malted vanilla milkshake. I think the title speaks for itself and pretty much explains the true meaning of DESSERT!

There isn't one bad thing I could say about this place.  The service is excellent, the food has yet to fail me and their nightlife (featured DJ's) is quite the midtown trend! If you admire quality food done right, don't hesitate to try Lavo....and please invite me!!!!

http://www.lavony.com/
39 East 58th Street (between Park Avenue and Madison Avenue)
LAVO Restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
LAVO Nightclub is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10pm - 4am.