155 Rivington Street (between Suffolk and Clinton Sts). 212-777-2520 www.delilahnyc.com
Mediterranean. Enter Delilah and you’re standing in a bar. Experience their dishes and you’re dining in a restaurant. There’s all kinds of tapas and it’s way more than good. Everything I tried left an amazing impression – one so indelible I ordered a second round before dessert.
I could not get enough of those baby lamb chops (described as “finger burners” with pink pepper and rosemary sweet garlic). Also irresistible, the prime seared hangar steak with truffle sauce and micro green salad. But beef isn’t all they’ve mastered. The manchego cheese is excellent. What the menu does not reveal is that it arrives with toast for sandwich building along with slices of pear and apple. And figs. And vegetables pickled in vinegar. It’s a collision of flavor in the best and tastiest sense.
Several thin crust flatbreads are also on tap. I indulged in the lobster with beef bacon, fontina, heirloom tomato, and micro arugula (macro satisfaction). In case you’re wondering what this bar could know about dessert, the answer is lots. I present to you: chocolate triple mousse cake. Yes, three mousse. Mice? Mousses? I don’t know how you conjugate it, but every single bite is filled with greatness. Just like Delilah.