Tartare is NOT the same as carpaccio...

... today I am going to be a princess. Went to dinner last night at Tre Dici on W26th street. Lovely place, and food is always good. But last night I order as a starter the Beef Carpaccio, which was described in the usual way - carpaccio with baby arugula and a mustard vinaigrette. What arrived was a square of beef tartare. I have a big issue with textures of food - I don't like slimy, sloppy, mushy or gelatinous. Basically all the things that make tartare tartare. It was even put in front of me and announced as tartare. I said "Oh, is that the carpaccio?" and was told "yes". Well, the flavour was lovely, but the texture - ugh! I could not finish it.
Luckily the main made up for it - a beautiful dish of triangular pasta with lobster, zucchini (courgette), peppers and other bits and pieces in a tomato cream sauce. It was absolutely stunning. Dessert (why not) was the 20 stack crepe with caramelised banana. Banana was perfect, warm and crispy topping. The stack of crepes was literally a slice of a stack of crepes, all sandwiched together with a light creamy spread. It was to be honest a little bland - the creamy sandwiching could have done with a flavour through it eg vanilla or lemon. My dinner companion had the strip steak ravioli in herbed butter and then the "fire and ice" which was vanilla gelato with warm berries on top, served in a martini glass all topped off with a warm strudel "lid". He said it was very interesting, but very nice. It looked good, although a bit of a challenge to eat elegantly I would think. And all washed down with some lovely wine.
So Tre Dici can stay on the list of places to visit - it is not cheap, but the food really is of a very high quality. We were going to go to Sapa on W24th, but it was booked for a private party - maybe next week.
So this weekend I am thinking of annoying the boys at Westpoint with a visit. I am at the stage where I need to fit everything in before leaving, so my to-do lists are coming out. Jazz bar on Saturday night (maybe Jim Hall trio at the Vanguard), more time at the gym, and Westpoint and the combined tour with Woodbury Common on Sunday ... or that is the plan at the moment anyway.