15 Irving Place (corner of 15th St.) 212-777-5102 www.ichabodsnyc.com
American. My new three favorite words are signature vanilla sundae. But more on that later. Ichabod’s is a restaurant and bar that doesn’t – for one second – forget the first part. Not only don’t they phone in the food, it must be their plan to make every dish count.
The roasted beets are creatively prepared with watercress, apple and whipped feta while their tuna tartare is accompanied most brilliantly by chili sauce, crispy shallots and house made potato chips. Or should I say giant, incredibly delicious chips the size of sliced bread. It’s indicative of the overly generous portions they present (true for both large and small plates). The pasta special (black ink, shrimp, bacon, sofrito) was so good, it deserves to be a permanent addition. The service is generous too; throughout the meal, your water glass perpetually filled, the table reborn immaculate.
Just when I couldn’t imagine being any happier, it was time for dessert. The banana spring rolls (fried banana and chocolate spring rolls with spiced rum crème anglaise) were crispy and gooey in the best possible way. But all roads lead to the Signature Vanilla Sundae. It is a vertical experience delivered in a mason jar, to be enjoyed one luxurious level at a time. First toasted marshmallow, next, homemade vanilla ice cream with salted caramel, followed by pretzels at the finish line. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s actually ten thousand times better. Ichabod’s has tapped into perfection. And because it is that spectacularly decadent, there’s no doubt you’ll lose your head.