Bluebell Cafe in Gramercy_March 29, 2010
Bluebell Cafe, a welcome addition to dining in Gramercy
American comfort food bistro with a French country flare, Bluebell Café is the newest addition to the Gramercy Park neighborhood. What a pleasant surprise to discover this casual, warm and welcoming place with wood floors and décor filled with cottagesque decorations that compliment the county menu perfectly. Open only two weeks ago, the café offers such an interesting variety of menu items - familiar apps and entrees plus dishes you wouldn’t expect to see at a café. Many choices on the menu for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, from grilled sandwiches and salads, to main entrees and sides. My friend ate brunch earlier in the day and wanted to return for dinner, and I joined her.
The dinner crowd was comprised of a blend of curious first-timers and regulars all devoted to the restaurant; the restaurant was surprisingly busy for a Sunday evening.
Sheila McDonagh the owner’s wife was incredibly friendly and inviting. Sheila and her husband Pete O’Connell and partner John Ronaghan also own Molly’s Shebeen Irish pub just down the street. Sheila was proud to tell the story of her idea of offering a homey neighborhood restaurant for the locals. “Not everyone wants to eat in a pub or have a burger.” True. My friend had never eaten at Molly’s, yet when she walked by Bluebell Café, the openness and casual atmosphere was the draw.
Chef Scott Hawley prepared for us the most delicious comfort food “Macaroni and cheese” made with four different cheeses: Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, Mascarpone. We opted for the appetizer portion for $8 (the entrée is $15.) Next, Pan Roasted Salmon (Lentils, Bacon, Mustard-Sherry sauce (for $18.); the salmon was perfectly succulent with flawlessly crunchy skin. I ordered the Crab cakes, Frisee, apple, smoked paprika remoulade ($18.) stuffed with large chunks of crab. For dessert we shared a rather large piece of Red Velvet Cake paired with coconut ice cream ($6) and a rich and tasty cup of coffee, which I discovered was Irving 71 coffee. (Irving Farm hand-blends and roasts fresh daily in their roasting facility located in the Hudson Valley region of upstate New York .) A perfect end to a delicious meal.
Bluebell Café is open 8am -11pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their website is still under construction and should be ready soon. I’m going back soon – the table next to us order the Trio of Beef Sliders Cheddar and bacon, Gruyere and Fried Onions, Blue Cheese and Arugula served with salad or fries 12.and that’s what I’m excited to try, next time!
Bluebell Cafe
Gramercy
293 Third Avenue
Read MoreAmerican comfort food bistro with a French country flare, Bluebell Café is the newest addition to the Gramercy Park neighborhood. What a pleasant surprise to discover this casual, warm and welcoming place with wood floors and décor filled with cottagesque decorations that compliment the county menu perfectly. Open only two weeks ago, the café offers such an interesting variety of menu items - familiar apps and entrees plus dishes you wouldn’t expect to see at a café. Many choices on the menu for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, from grilled sandwiches and salads, to main entrees and sides. My friend ate brunch earlier in the day and wanted to return for dinner, and I joined her.
The dinner crowd was comprised of a blend of curious first-timers and regulars all devoted to the restaurant; the restaurant was surprisingly busy for a Sunday evening.
Sheila McDonagh the owner’s wife was incredibly friendly and inviting. Sheila and her husband Pete O’Connell and partner John Ronaghan also own Molly’s Shebeen Irish pub just down the street. Sheila was proud to tell the story of her idea of offering a homey neighborhood restaurant for the locals. “Not everyone wants to eat in a pub or have a burger.” True. My friend had never eaten at Molly’s, yet when she walked by Bluebell Café, the openness and casual atmosphere was the draw.
Chef Scott Hawley prepared for us the most delicious comfort food “Macaroni and cheese” made with four different cheeses: Cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, Mascarpone. We opted for the appetizer portion for $8 (the entrée is $15.) Next, Pan Roasted Salmon (Lentils, Bacon, Mustard-Sherry sauce (for $18.); the salmon was perfectly succulent with flawlessly crunchy skin. I ordered the Crab cakes, Frisee, apple, smoked paprika remoulade ($18.) stuffed with large chunks of crab. For dessert we shared a rather large piece of Red Velvet Cake paired with coconut ice cream ($6) and a rich and tasty cup of coffee, which I discovered was Irving 71 coffee. (Irving Farm hand-blends and roasts fresh daily in their roasting facility located in the Hudson Valley region of upstate New York .) A perfect end to a delicious meal.
Bluebell Café is open 8am -11pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their website is still under construction and should be ready soon. I’m going back soon – the table next to us order the Trio of Beef Sliders Cheddar and bacon, Gruyere and Fried Onions, Blue Cheese and Arugula served with salad or fries 12.and that’s what I’m excited to try, next time!
Bluebell Cafe
Gramercy
293 Third Avenue
