Gobble Grade: Penelope

Last night I went out to dinner, something I don't do as much as I should living in New York City, where there's a fantastic gem to be found on every corner, whether it's a hole-in-the-wall café or an extravagant establishment with an extensive wait list.
KH and I went to Penelope, which I found via Murphy's New Law, the blog of an old college art history classmate of mine. (Hey Christine - we share similar taste in restaurants! LOVE Fig and Olive Uptown, Little Giant, Clinton Street Baking Co., and now Penelope too!)
At 6pm on a weekday, Penelope was gloriously uncrowded. We stepped in onto rustic wood flooring and were immediately warmed by the cozy country kitchen feel of the restaurant. I noticed lots of reclaimed wood painted in various shades of robin's egg blue. We were seated without hesitation at a little two-person table near a large recessed window that on a warm day I bet you'd want to throw open the shutters. In the window was a bright flower box.

via nymag

We both ordered a glass of their Bordeaux Rouge, which wasn't the best but was still enjoyable. KH ordered When Veggie Met Sally, a generous salad of "chopped greens with red onion, grilled veggie burger, and green apple tossed with goat cheese in a roasted garlic balsamic viniagrette" and a side of hand-made organic bread. I ordered an appetizer of mac & cheese (I can never pass it up) and an entrée sandwich made of "warm brie and green apple with grilled chicken and honey mustard on 7-grain toast" and a side of fresh greens.

The service was great - we had barely sipped our wine when my appetizer came out. The mac & cheese was okay - it's hard to make mac & cheese bad - but what I really loved was a thin layer of crunchy, crusty baked cheese on top. Soon afterwards our main dishes came out and they were wonderful. The portion size was just right - not too big, not too small - as Goldilocks would say, and I do supposed Goldilocks would feel very comfortable at Penelope. In fact, KH cleaned her entire plate - something that very rarely happens with her and pretty much always happens with me! I felt full all the way until bedtime which is an accomplishment, though I do think I would pass on getting an appetizer the next time (and there WILL be a next time!) A main dish washed down with a glass of wine was the perfect amount of food for me.

If you're willing to wait in line I hear they serve up a mean brunch, but for me, I am content to go for a cozy, quiet, weeknight dinner.

Gobble Grade: B+