www.www.prettyrickys.com
101 Rivington St. (corner of Ludlow St.)
646-429-3957
American. I haven’t gotten a look at Ricky, but I have dined there. And I assure you, the flavors are pageant ready.
Pretty Ricky’s is a bar so I did not expect such quality. Or the casual yet attentive staff, serving dish after dish, each as generous in size as the next.
I started with socca flatbread (chickpea flatbread, ricotta, za’atar). Practically transparent and deceptively simple in presentation. Think the thinnest of pizza crust that’s garlicky, spicy. Uncommon in every way.
Not wanting to finish too soon, I alternated with the ‘cacio e pepe Caesar salad. I’ve never had a Caesar like this (romaine bread crumbs, parmesan, black pepper dressing). Their simple twist on the classic absolutely chart topping.
Also not to be missed, the crispy chicken (togarashi, ginger, garlic). With an Asian side sauce so good, you’ll double and triple dip.
Craving a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich? Their all local blt (farmers market lettuce, heirloom tomato, smoked bacon, bacon aioli) the furthest thing from dry you can possibly imagine. Each bite delivering heavenly, crunchy bliss.
You might get whiplash from the arctic char (za’atar, spring vegetables, tomato vinaigrette). I know, what’s a fish dish doing on a bar menu and who’s going to order it? Hopefully everyone because it’s as expertly crafted as any you’ll find in a linen napkin restaurant.
The dinner eventually wrapped with a chocolate chip cookie chipwich. Two huge, heavily chip laden bookends cradling a sinful amount of creamy vanilla ice cream.
So there you have it. Popular corner bar plus crazy good food? Yeah, Pretty Ricky’s is nothing less than beautiful.