Atwood Kitchen & Bar is the sister restaurant of the brand new Shay & Ivy, which we just reviewed a couple of weeks back. After being very impressed by Shay & Ivy, it came as a no brainer to want to experience what Atwood had to truly offer. Suffice to say, we were very impressed by a lot when we went in one rainy Tuesday night. If you are looking for eclectic and modern dishes in a chill environment, then this is your place to go.
Atwood was founded by At Your Service Hospitality Group’s Evan Rosenberg & Daniel Rieger, who in two short years have made quite the name for themselves in the Manhattan foodie scene. Using modern American dishes and giving it a twist, Atwood Kitchen & Bar is a fantastic example of a great place to go to for either a simple drink or for some delicious bites to enjoy with your friends and loved ones.
The front of Atwood acts as a sprawling and beautiful bar, perfect for the after work crowd especially given its great location in Midtown East (986 2nd Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd Street) and its proximity to multiple subway lines. Although small, the back of it acts to be more of an intimate restaurant crowd, with candles lit to really enhance the mood of the overall experience.
Now, let’s get to the food, which was scrumptious from the first bite to last. Here is what we recommend that you try getting the next time you find yourself at Atwood. As someone who enjoys a ton of flavor in their food, the Spice Lamb Meatballs & Bar Room Chicken Wings were our two favorite starters. The former came with a minted yogurt, feta and a roasted eggplant tomato puree that really enhanced the perfectly cooked meatball and made for a satisfying bite. The Chicken Wings had scallions and an agave arbol glaze with a side of sweet onion ranch to cool down the overall wing. This was spicy but done in a very good way, and quite a tasty appetizer overall.
The entrees run the muck with everything from fish, ravioli and more but the standout entree that you should order is their Hot Honey Roasted Chicken with smashed crispy potatoes, bacon, scallions and piquillo peppers. Anytime bacon is in a dish, naturally the smiley emoji on my face comes into play, so that made the overall entree taste that much better. When you combine something as sweet as honey with peppers and the rest, it really makes for a great meal that would satisfy even the pickiest of eaters. Pair this with their yummy Macaroni & Cheese (voted best in NYC by Time Out Magazine) and you’ll be in for an added treat. Trust me.
Overall, Atwood Kitchen & Bar excels in many different ways from food to decor, and it a location we hope you stop by before the new year begins. For more information, check out their official site.