Restaurant Review: Blue Water Grill

American Nouveau, Seafood
31 Union Square West at 16th Street
212-675-9500
http://www.brguestrestaurants.com/restaurants/blue_water_grill_new_york/index.php

After a long week's work, Jander and I decided to hit the town Friday night with little Kim and our travelling buddy, Chris. Kim suggested the Blue Water Grill (BWG) just off of Union Square so off we went! Since we weren't eating until 7 PM, I bummed around in Barnes & Nobles while Jander drooled over the oatmeal cookies being offered in the Farmer's Market in the Square. Yeah, we're cool like that.

We arrived on time and since we had reservations (yes, you should make reservations) we were seated fairly promptly. I think we were probably given one of the worst possible tables - all the way in the back immediately after the register the waiters input the orders into. This in itself wasn't so bad except with the warmer weather, BWG had opened up the outdoor area and our table was right near the patio door. But onto the food!

Actually, before I get to the food, I'll mention that Jander and Kim ordered a glass of Riesling (Schloss Koblenz 'Bornheimer Adelberg,' Rheinhessen 2006) and Pinot Grigio (Cadonini, Delle Venezie, Italy 2007) respectively. Kim didn't like the Pinot Grigio and wished she had gotten the Riseling instead. It was much smoother and a little sweet.

For appetizers, we had the Lobster Sliders ($14). Jander was hoping it would be like a burger, except with a lobster patty, but instead it turned out to be more like a lumpmeat lobster salad on a bun. I guess this is what BWG does with the little bits of lobster that you dig out of the joints of the legs. Don't get me wrong though, it was still pretty tasty.

For our main course, Jander ordered the Wild Striped Bass ($26) from their House Entrees. It was served on top of truffled cream spinach and a chanterelle mushroom nage.


It was pretty scrumptious. Jander wanted to lick his plate clean, but he refrained from doing so since I'm pretty sure BWG would've asked us to leave if he did.

I ordered the Gulf Shrimp & Diver Sea Scallops ($25) from their Simply Grilled selection. At my discretion, it was served on top of a broccoli rabe.

Our friend Kim ordered the Slow Roasted Day Boat Cod ($26). It was served with some crispy shoe string potatoes on the side.

It was only so-so. Kim complained to us and wished she had gotten Jander's dish instead.

For dessert I had BWG's Chocolate Fondue ($8) and Jander ordered the Caramelized Banana Ice Cream Tower ($8). Kim copied Jander since she couldn't get her mind off how bad the cod was and how good Jander's bass was.

The ice cream tower wasn't very good. Jander doesn't really like bananas (so why the hell did he order it?) so it didn't really hit the spot for him - I supposed he was hoping it would be more vanilla-y than it was. Kim didn't like it either and complained that the hazelnut shell was too sweet. She also blamed Jander for the lousy dessert choice. My fondue on the other hand was damn good. So good in fact that the bastards I was eating dinner with ate most of it.

In case you were wondering if Chris ate anything or if perhaps as an imaginary friend Chris did not need to eat, he did eat but the pictures I took didn't come out too well. Chris ordered the $38 prix-fixe that BWG was offering in honor of the Tribeca Film Festival in conjunction with American Express. The starter was a Hawaiian Kona Kampachi Carpaccio. The main courses were a Black Pearl Sustainable Scottish Salmon served over a gazpacho salad with an organic tomato emulsion and a Grilled Fossil Farms All Natural (is there another kind?) Buffalo Skirt Steak server with fingerling potatoes, onion rings, and a blue cheese vinaigrette. The dessert was a mix of various spring berries, honeyed plained yogurt, and an almond tuile. It's a pretty good deal that's only being offered through May 4th so get it while you can!