I tend to avoid parts of midtown Manhattan like the plague, especially around quitting time when it can become a cluster to get through. No matter what though, good food is good food, so naturally I was excited to stop by Trademark Taste + Grind last night with a friend to see what all the fuss was about. The overall experience was worth the trek and then some, for so many different reasons.
Trademark Taste + Grind is actually located within The Executive Hotel Le Soleil Hotel, on West 36th Street between 6th and 5th Avenue. It has a hidden gem aspect to it, as when you walk in it reads as a coffee bar (Trademark Grind) for you to have a great drink at before you head out for the night. If you keep walking past that, you will find yourself in a gorgeously decorated restaurant, with a plush & inviting bar smack dab in the middle of it. This section, Trademark Taste, is where we were seated to experience all of it.
Trademark Taste has a very relaxing vibe to it, with the usage of warm, brownish type colors adorning it throughout. The menu, curated by IGCH (In Good Company) Culinary Director Chef Jeffrey Haskell, has a variety of menus available at the customers disposal, including a business, brunch, and all day menu to peruse. The all day menu itself reads as a whose who in rich comfort foods, so go in with an empty stomach so you are able to enjoy all of it.
The menu is also not overdone, meaning too many items to choose from. It is simple: Appetizers, Salads, Entrees, Sides. Easy enough. Here is what I recommend you try the next time you are at Trademark Taste. For starters, their Meatballs with ricotta, crushed tomato & lemon, Burrata & Knots with tomato jam & roasted garlic and their Octopus Carpaccio with little potatoes, warm chorizo vinaigrette and olives are three great ways to begin your meal. The texture of the meatballs were fantastic, and paired very well with the ricotta, tomato and lemon. I have tried burrata in so many different ways, but never thought of putting it together with a warm and fluffy garlic knot. It was brilliant, and dunking the knot in the tomato jam and adding the burrata was a tasty bite. Finally, the combination of flavors that encompassed the Octopus was fantastic as well.
For entrees, we recommend something on the pasta side, as well as a tasty sandwich to scarf down. I have always been a fan of ravioli no matter what is inside of it, so their Pork Shoulder Ravioli with wild mushrooms and burnt onion broth was very warm and satisfying, and bursting with flavor. I paired it with a side of Blackened Baby Carrots with pimenton and labne, which was a great choice as there was a ton of spice and depth to the carrots themselves. If you are craving a sandwich of sorts, look no further than their Fried Chicken Sandwich with spicy honey, soppressata, aioli and slaw, with a side of french fries. Simple, classic, and gets the job done.
Speaking of classics, if you are looking to finish off your meal in style, their Hot Fudge Sundae is the way to go. I love saltiness in my desserts, so to put peanut butter caramel popcorn in the delicious sundae was a fantastic idea and executed perfectly. Overall, a great meal at a great establishment that you should check out.
For more information on Trademark Taste, and Trademark Grind, check out their official site. Happy eating everyone!