Catch NY, a 3 story restaurant, located in the heart of NYC's Meatpacking District, has something for everyone. With a nice, modern, wooden, comfortable ambience, it's great for a date, drinks with a friend, and dinner with a party.
The first 2 stories are the restaurant, with a solid bar and bar area. The third floor, called Catch Roof, has another bar and great outdoor seating. Catch Roof, for the first time this summer, is now open for brunch and dinner. Starting this week, they will serve sushi and their full menu, including hot dishes, entrees and large format dishes.
Chef Hung Huynh, a Vietnamese-American and the winner of Top Chef in 2007, is known for seafood. He likes food simple and loves creating memorable bites. Stand-out dishes included the Cantonese Lobster and Crispy Whole Snapper - that were delicious. The Cantonese Lobster, 2 1/2 lbs., meant for sharing has a real depth of flavor--refreshing, but rich, with an umami flavor from the sake it is cooked in. Crispy Whole Snapper was brought out to the table, then perfectly filleted in the back; then it was rested on a bed of roasted veggies, fennel, peppers, oyster mushroom, chili, garlic. The fish is fresh and there was lots of it. The sauce is on the side, so that you can taste the meat of the fish alone or dress if you want.
Interesting fusion sushi rolls, tartares, fresh lobster rolls, and tempura rock shrimp are all delicious starters to share and snack on. My favorite was the Hamachi Tartare with pear, avocado, and a couple potato chips on top for a crunch--refreshing and light. We got a side of root veggies and their special sauteed string beans.
Dessert is done by the friendly and talented Brazilian-born Chef Thiago Silva. These desserts are definitely fun, memorable, too, and definitely meant for sharing. I have two words: S'mores Pizza. S'mores Pizza is prepared on a savory flat pizza dough. It is sprinkled with graham cracker crumbs, covered in milk and dark chocolate chunks, and topped with roasted homemade marshmallows. Creamy burnt marshmallow ice cream comes on the wood board, as well, to top your slice of S'mores Pizza with. This is a show-stopping dessert.
Going Bananas. Banana desserts are either hit or miss for me. This one was tasteful and well-balanced. I loved the banana creme brulee and warm banana bread with Guinness ice cream on top. Pieces of creme brulee shaped like bananas accompany this warm dessert too. Love when there's a hot AND cold component of a dessert on the same plate.
From mains to dessert, and a sweet sparkling rose that carried me through the meal, check out this fantastic restaurant soon. You can also experience a similar, Modern Asian, family-style dining style at EMM Group's other restaurant; The General, in the Lower East Side where Chef Hung Huynh and Thiago Silva also cook as a pair in the kitchen.
Catch (Asian Fusion, Sushi Bar, Seafood)
21 Ninth Avenue
New York, NY 10014
West Village, Meatpacking District