26 North Is Launching A New Prix Fixe Lunch Service (And A New Dinner Menu)

26 North, BYOB by Michael Stollenwerk

Those of you who read my review of Mike Stollenwerk’s Old City BYO 26 North a few weeks ago will no doubt recall that I had a few problems with the lunch service. Actually, that’s putting it mildly, I guess. I pretty much hated every minute of it.

The dinner was excellent–smart and comforting and delicious and, basically, everything that lunch wasn’t–and I was mystified at how a single space could house, essentially, two different restaurants. But now there’s some good news. I just got word from the 26 North team that they have a new lunch service that they rolled out very quietly yesterday, and things look like they’re headed in a good direction.

Starting immediately, lunch at 26 North is now a prix fixe affair. $20 gets you two courses (chosen from three first-course options and three second-course options), and those plates? They’re all dishes that are favorites from the kitchen, most of them drawn directly from the dinner menu. The offerings will change seasonally, but here’s what they rolled out with.

First Course

Shaved Carrot Salad

feta | walnut | arugula | golden raisin | black pepper-honey vinaigrette

Menorcan Fish Soup

spiced bread crumbs

Smoked Trout

pickled red onion | house made mascarpone | watercress | pumpernickel

Second Course

Parisienne Herb Gnocchi

spring vegetables | oyster mushroom | black garlic | ricotta salata

Pastrami Spiced Salmon

roasted brussel sprouts | pearl onion confit | rye berries | apple | mustard sauce

Bistro Filet Of Beef

grilled polenta | crispy zucchini | chimichurri | onion | radicchio

And that’s not all. Solid as the dinner menu was, Stollenwerk and his crew have polished some of the chrome on that one as well. It rolled out softly last night as well and looks a little something like this:

26 North Dinner Menu

Spring, 2016

Appetizers

Salmon Belly Crudo 11

radish | chive | lemon oil

Smoked Trout 12

pickled red onion | house made mascarpone | watercress

Charred Endive Salad 12

pickled beet | pumpernickel crouton | goat cheese vinaigrette

Salt & Pepper Frog Legs 14

chilè | garlic | scallion | mirin | cilantro

Char-Grilled Octopus 16

morcilla | pickled peppers | poached egg vinaigrette | crispy potato

Peeky Toe Crab 17

avocado | winter citrus | crispy shallot

Day Boat Scallops 18

castle island smoked duck breast | farro salad | cherry | shaved asparagus

Soups

Shellfish Bisque 12 Menorcan Fish Soup 10

celery root | tarragon spiced bread crumbs

Entrees

Parisienne Herb Gnocchi 27

spring vegetables | oyster mushroom | black garlic | ricotta salata

Australian Barramundi 28

hickory smoked bacon | little neck clam | piperade | potato | celery broth | parsley gremolata

Tuna 29

togarashi | roasted carrot miso broth | pea leaves | congee | egg yolk

Pastrami Spiced Salmon 28

roasted brussel sprouts | pearl onion confit | rye berries | apple | whole grain mustard sauce

Skate Wing 29

truffled speatzle | melted leeks | parmesan broth

Monkfish 27

curried cauliflower | beluga lentils | green grapes | walnut vinaigrette

Bistro Filet Of Beef 29

grilled polenta | crispy zucchini | chimichurri

That monkfish was seriously awesome, so I’m glad they didn’t mess with it. And if you haven’t been by 26 North yet to check it out, you should.

And now maybe it’s worth dropping by for lunch as well.

Smooth Jazz And Skate Wing: 26 North Reviewed [f8b8z]