CAFE CHARBON

Place: CAFE CHARBON @ 170 Orchard St, NYC

Price: $10

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 *****
Crispy-ness: 4 out of 5
Chewy-ness: 4 out of 5 - like the bite
Grease Factor: 4 out of 5
Tentacles: YES
Dipping Sauce: Tartar Sauce


Notes: Cafe Charbon is a little French Bistro located in the LES thats perfect for a date or a little late night dinner. The calamari was pretty good, although a little heavy on the greasy side. Even the tentacles very tender, not usually the hard bite I'm used to. I appreciate the side of dressed frisse greens as a garnish and palette cleanser. Very crispy and almost a little charred but the squid itself had such a good bite it was a nice balance. The first time I had fried calamari with Tartar Sauce, think fried clam strips from White Castle, this would be the upscale sister version of that. Nice lemon to drench over it to absorb the grease, great portion for those hungry singles or to be shared with a fellow calamari lover!

Tip: Cafe Charbon is listed on restaurant.com where you can pay less and dine more!