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| Good Enough To Eat 520 Columbus Avenue/85th Street-NYC |
In homage to a Vermont farmhouse -plunked down on a bustling stretch of Manhattan's UWS 'hood, GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT...is a NYC cultural institution, brunch wise...with legendary lines (tourists/natives) on any given weekend -waiting for copious helpings of homemade-in-house breakfast classics and breads.
Not a queuer or around weekends-for that matter, we never-the-less jumped at the chance to sample some eats from an establishment that is arguably-one of the first restaurants that embraced the farm to table credo of dining...sourcing local producers for a wide variety of what's on the menu...and making it all fresh-daily, in-house...as ably illustrated by this pic we took...
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| organic and locally sourced ingredients...from iconic NYC establishments and smaller area farms-less carbon footprint in deliveries let alone guarantee-you will know that what you are eating is what it claims to be...particularly important when it comes to eating seafood! |
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| The quaint overhead lights are slightly dimmed in the evening, the background 'soft jazz/standards-like' music-barely detectable...allows for easy conversation and is the perfect sound pitch for diners...that range from several duos of locals, a young family with baby stroller discretely sitting beside a table, and a scattering of people eating by themselves...always a sign of a relaxed atmosphere with food that is equal to -or in our case FOR SURE waaay better than anything that can be cooked at home-including those ingredient delivery services where you still have to put it all together-and clean-up afterwards!!!! |
We stopped by a on cold wintry worthy Spring evening...so the outdoor tables that align Columbus Ave. were
all empty...but got a welcoming 180º experience when we entered the warm atmosphere of Good Enough To Eat itself-simply decorated with farm-country signs, a mini white picket fence aligning the space separating the bar from the main eating area---and adorable artistic efforts from past patrons.
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paper and crayons-on demand
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MENU wise---this is a crowd pleasing kind of restaurant at value prices---with those in-demand breakfast items available
BLT Omelette with Gruyere cheese $12, a Vegan Tofu Scramble $13, and the stomach filling Lumber Jack-2 pancakes, 2 strips of bacon and two scrambled eggs $14...
But we headed for the healthy kind of dinner options-choosing from a wide swath of casual favorites and more fancy specialties- salads, sandwiches, burgers, soups, old-fashioned entrees including a daily fish special, and stripped steak...preceded by starters with an international bent that are now American staples (guacamole+quesadillas).
Friendly -prompt service could not have been better...with two glasses of wine delivered pronto...choosing from a well priced drinks menu...
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| Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc-generous pours ($10-$12)....though we could have chosen from a list of bottled or on tap beers, specialty cocktails-including martinis, and a variety of wines-including bubbly sips. |
Food wise...we began with a smoked salmon salad- a nod to the neighborhood's heritage-which is practically large enough to be an entreé all by itself.
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| half a portion....shareable smoked salmon salad $18-mixed greens lightly dressed with green peas, red onions, crunchy capers and crisp garlic croutons...underneath generous slices a fish. Yummy |
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| Crowd pleasers like guacamole and chips-or crispy onion rings double as bar food too (always ordered-by a neighboring diner)---Added plus we were clued into-the inhale-able homemade potato chips...that are so good-a seated patron near us just went up to the bar, mid meal -for a handful. (Starters-$7-$12) |
MAIN MEAL selections are indulgent-meaning mouth watering classics...plus very shareable-plus there are lot of healthy choices...
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| A crispy crunch every bite... and fresh-mildly spiced-ginger+watercress sauce...a VEGETABLE MOUNTAIN-stir-fry slice fresh carrots, zucchini, red bell peppers, scallions, radishes, scallions, and green cabbage $15.50-served with shrimp (extra $6)- atop a mound of sticky brown rice-delicious |
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| this serving of 3 Bean Vegetarian Chili-with fresh biscuits -southwestern fav with cheddar cheese atop brown rice $16.95 -ended up half going home-so filling but our meat eating pal deemed it 'perfect' ... |
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| why wait till Thanksgiving???? Roasted turkey and gravy, cornbread stuffing, cranberry relish and sautéed kale-Tradition Turkey Dinner-a choice of a neighboring diner..Americana on demand and funny-we never see this on a menu yet it's so popular. $19.95 |
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| Burgers always in demand at $14-$15.50...here with add-on toppings ($1.95-$2.95)-like cheese (7 choices!)...served up with crispy fries...regular, turkey and vegetable options...also served to a neighboring diner...a regular, fyi |
WHAT ELSE:
LOTS of Sides, Desserts like Pineapple Upside Down Cake with fresh whipped cream $8...and FUN FUN FUN old fashioned Shakes -grown-up versions too---spike 'em for a worth it added $5.00.
