Eat: Family Recipe NY

Family Recipe is one of those adorable NYC restaurants that is far too good to stay a secret for long.  Located in the Lower East Side the gem of a restaurant was opened this past summer by Tokyo raised chef, Akiko Thurnauer, as a tribute to her food obsessed parents who introduced her to flavors from all over the world at an early age.  I was invited to a party to commemorate the launch of the Brunch Menu a couple weeks ago.

The wood paneling with slightly curved ceiling creates a warm cozy feeling of intimacy while the immaculate open kitchen at the long bar invites you to see the chefs busy at work carefully constructing dishes that are not by any means traditional Japanese but food that envelops you with a sense of familiarity and comfort.

I really had a chance to admire all of the intricacies that go into work in creating each dish and marvel at how effortlessly the chefs worked around each other.

I got to sample a bite of delicate skate on toast, home style curry rice, soft fluffy bao sandwiches and the signature drink the Bloody Geisha that is sure to wake you up with a hefty shot of wasabi flavor in a Bloody Mary-ish concoction.  It all left me wanting a bit more and curious for what else was on the menu.  Everything tasted incredibly fresh and a bit like home.  Or at least what home would taste like if your well travelled, hospitable, Japanese friend invited you over for dinner.  Think a future trip during regular hours is in order.  If you are stuck in a brunch rut, consider shaking up your routine and try out Family Recipe next weekend.

Family Recipe, 231 Eldridge Street, 212-529-3133