Resto – Fantastic Belgian Gastropub in Flatiron

Resto is a Belgian influenced gastropub in Flatiron that is known for its extensive beer selection, full-beast feasts, and delicious, meat-centric menu. 

As a meat-centric kinda gal, hitting this restaurant up for lunch was a no brainer.

The restaurant is small, but has plenty of room between tables. The dining room is casual but from the well dressed clientele to the small floral arrangements on the tables, this place screams understated upscale. And it also screams serious foodie.

Bitterballen

These fried meatballs were nothing short of revelatory – small, tender balls of rich beef and melty, stretchy cheese encased in a crunchy shell. The sharp mustard aioli cut through the fattiness of the meatball, and the counter-play between crunchy and soft, rich and bracing, warm and cool was absolutely miraculous.

If that doesn’t make your mouth water, I don’t think I can help you.

Olive Oil Poached Wild King Salmon with Gribiche and Chives

If you have ever had salmon salad…this is nothing like it. That would be like comparing a Pinto to a Ducati. The salmon, gently poached until JUST cooked through, was broken into large, delicate flakes before being mixed with an herbed mayonnaise. Tarragon and dill were definitely in there, plus a few more I couldn’t place. The salmon spread was almost like rillettes – almost silken in texture and rich in taste. It contrasted with the hearty, sour rye bread on which it was placed.

Cripsy Pig’s Ear Salad with Frisee, Lardons, and a Poached Egg

This was a Salade Lyonnaise on steroids. Crunchy, curly, slightly bitter frisee paired with crispy, meaty hunks of salty bacon and a perfectly poached egg, with creamy whites and a velvety, buttery yolk. The bright vinaigrette cut straight through all the animal fats of the dish, and the pig’s ears were quite good – crisp on the edges and slightly chewy within, with the hearty, deep, almost primal taste of pork.

This was a fatty, bright, texture filled dish and one that I would not hesitate to order again.

Grilled Cheese with Vermont Cheddar, Gruyere, Bacon, and Pork Belly

This was fat on bread. No other way to put it. Sharp cheddar, nutty Gruyere, salty bacon, and luscious, melty, tender pork belly. If any of those things sound bad to you, just stop reading my blog. You aren’t going to like it. This sandwich, served on airy slices of pullman bread, was very rich, but also well balanced by the use of the sharp cheddar and serving it with a lightly dressed salad.

This is enough food to put you into a pork-induced coma, so be aware that this isn’t a great choice for lunch if you have to go to work later.

Frites with All Sauces

Piping hot, lightly salted, with crispy golden outsides and fluffy-creamy interiors.

Served with a myriad of dipping sauces, they were all delicious, from the curry tinged Lime Pickle to the sweet onion topped Aioli to the spicy Sriracha mayonnaise…this was only $7, and was enough for 3 people, easily. These fries are unmissable, and so are the dipping sauces!

Be prepared that if there is a large party there, like there was when we lunched, you will need to order quickly and in full. Otherwise the waitstaff can get a little frenzied and you may have to flag someone down by shooting off a flare.

Besides that very minor detail, lunch at Resto was perfect – really. The prices are extremely reasonable, the atmosphere is great for a casual lunch or dinner, and the food is just fantastic. The menu looks so simple, but everything is produced with incredible talent and attention to detail. From the ethereal but hearty bitterballen to the porky goodness of the pig’s ear salad to the truly awesome frites, this meal was spot on. 

Next up: Who wants to join me at Resto for a whole roasted lamb?!