We always try to do a fine dining experience each Thanksgiving trip to NY and while I had been to an enjoyed MAS(farmhouse) in Greenwich Village before, I knew they would be able to cater to Samuel's vegetarian experience fullfold and I was correct.
When we arrived at 630pm the small cozy and comfy dining room was empty, but within 90 minutes it filled up as they generally do one seating per table each night.
We ordered drinks and Will had what was called Grapefruit while I had the Oaxaca Negroni.....I totally failed to note the ingredients, but they were superb. We went on to an excellent Saint-Aubin white (the wine prices here can get crazy): Domaine Paul Pillot 2015 "Les Charmois" 1er cru that was creamy and rich and paired well with the starters. An amuse of Golden Beet Terrine with Goat Cheese and Hazelnuts arrived and was nice, but won no awards. Hildon sparkling water from the UK is used here.
Sam started with the Yams, Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate, while and I were both enthralled with the excellent Roasted Chestnut and Porcini Mushroom Soup with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Caramelized Fennel and Preserved Fig (which looked like a swirl of balsamic in the soup--fotos on FB!!)
Next for Sam came Kuri Squash Risotto with Mushrooms and he could not rave enough about the flavors. My Poached Lobster with Kuri Squash Butter & Preserved Lemon, Quark Spatzle and a brown butter watercress puree was dotted with yummy Hon Shimeji Mushrooms. The dish was excellent and a divine pairing with the Burgundy Chardonnay, but the lemon was so intense in a couple of bites, it almost tasted salty, which was odd, but not bad. Will chose the Roasted Local Cod with Crispy Spaghetti Squash, Blood Orange, Capers, Brioche Crouton and Kohlrabi. Not a complaint there.
We moved on to a Jean-Luc Joillot 2005 "Les Rugiens" Volnay also from Burgynday which was one of the funkiest noses I have ever smelled and quite earthy in the mouth. While delicious, it really needed food. Again a divine pairing with my Roasted Rettland Farm Duck Breast with Sunchokes, Beluga Lentils, Macerated Cranberries and Cabbage Wrapped Duck Confit Leg. Will had the Violette Hill Farms Chicken Breast stuffed with Apricot Sausage, Smoked Cheddar Braised Beans, Glazed Broccoli and Maitake Mushrooms while Sam adored his Beet Ravioli with Trumpet Mushrooms. As you can see the name (farmhouse) means a lot as the ingredients are local and fresh year round which makes this place such a treat.
It was a cold night and the wind did come down the entry at times when the door was opened, which made a chill, but the place was warm and full so no more chills after 730!
We shared the Cheese Plate of Cricket Creek Maggie's Round, Old Chatham Sheepherding Ewe's Blue and Haystack Peak, all of which were superb and served with pickled pear, pickled apple and walnut crackers.
For dessert, Samuel chose the Warm Upside-Down Cake with Huckleberry Compote, Quince, Pink Pepper Anglaise & Buttermillk Ice Cream.
Will went for the Pumpkin Mousse with Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream, Almond Crumble, Cardamom Milk Chocoalte & Pumpkin Tuile, while I adored the Caramelized White Chocolate Cheesecake with Blistered Grapes, Peanut Butter Cookie, Lemon Confit and Concord Sorbet
They were all amazing and tasty desserts that totally filled us up, but not enough to skip the Lavender Marshmallows and Pecan Squares. I was happy for the latter as we didn't have pecan pie the day before and when we asked if the marshmallows had gelatin(for Sam) they immediately came out with some chocolates for him.
This was an evening of fine food, fine service and justa nice family feast.
