NYC EATS: Is Crane Club Worth The Hype

If you ask someone in NYC, what is the most popular restaurant or sought after reservation at the moment, I am willing to bet, Crane Club is at the top of that list. Crane Club is the newest concept by Tao Group with Michelin star chef Melissa Rodriguez and manager Jeff Katz. The restaurant is everything you think of when you imagine a socialites night out. The ambiance is very luxurious with velvet chairs and curtains, high vaulted ceilings, intimate areas for private parties and a bustling bar scene. Every table in the house is taken but that doesn’t stop immaculate attention and service from the waitstaff, including snagging a mini chair to put table-side for our purses.

While this is the vibe you look to for a chic night out, it is not without spending a pretty penny and does the food warrant the high price tag?

With a new massive kitchen and a custom made Spanish Mibrasa grill, the menu is highly shaped by the grill. While considered a Steakhouse, inspiration is drawn from the classics with American Bistro classics however there are inspired elements of Asian and Italian flavors. The food is rustic and yet elevated with the renditions of the dishes being something you most definitely won’t find at other restaurants.

Here is what I tried. These photos may be the worst you’ll ever see on this website. However it wasn’t really the pull your flash out kind of night. You get the gist.

Oysters : east and west coast
A very fresh and classic combination of Oysters. Personally you can never go wrong in my opinion.

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Caviar Classic Ostera: White Truffle Arancini – Arborio rice, white truffle, mascarpone
It is one little bite, but it is power packed with incredible flavor. The generous dollup of caviar with the combination of rich truffle aioli and the crispy rice texture was just perfection.

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Roasted Bone Marrow: onion, bacon & marsala marmalade, grilled filone
The Roasted Bone Marrow was so flavorful and decadent. The bacon marmelade added to the richness but it had the herbs to kind of cut through it.

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Tuna Tartare: shiso, sesame, seaweed
The rendition of tuna tartar was not your average and had a very unique approach and texture with the addition of the seaweed chips.

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Parmigiano Reggiano-Aged NY Strip Steak 30 day
The Parmesan steak had that joi ne se qoi element to it. You can’t quite put your finger on it but it has a special flavor profile to it and it was perfectly cooked.

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Maitake Mushrooms: green peppercorn, cognac, Thai basil
This epitomized rustic dining but with a special and fancy flair. The hearty mushrooms had a marinade that I bet you’d never guess what is

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Sweet Potato whipped honey, tamari butter, aleppo, scallion, mascarpone
Funny enough this was one of the best bites of the night. The consistency is so velvety and flavor combination was so unique and tasty.

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Viennetta: dark chocolate gelato, olive oil, espresso brownie crunch, mascarpone whip
If you want a dessert experience, be sure to try out the Viennetta. This tastes like an elevated haagen daaz bar with such a unique palette but also the rich chocolate ice cream you hope for.

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Is Crane Club worth the hype?

My opinion is a definite yes. The ambiance attracts a crowd and vibe that you just know, you are at the spot to be and the food is just genuinely good with special qualities that make it very unique to other spots in the city. I think it is a very all-in-one for a night out.

Telephone:
212.970.2200

Location:
85 10th Ave (at 16th St.)
New York, NY 10011
Get Directions

Hours of Operation:
Sunday–Wednesday 5PM–10PM
Thursday–Saturday 5PM–11PM

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