Take 5 dessert
My go-to steakhouse in the city had always been Minetta Tavern. I was very loyal to the peppercorn crusted filet mignon but when a friend of mine was visiting New York City from Miami, I decided to tag along with him to his favorite steakhouse.
Upon entering Quality Meats, I was taken aback by the rustic yet warm decor. It's not your relaxed Smith & Wollensky vibe (even though they are owned by the same company). This is your go-to date night spot, as the ambiance is romantic but quite modern for a steakhouse.
The downstairs bar had a stalwart team of mixologists who made a tasty vodka gimlet straight up. These are the type of real mixologists that with a small amount of information about your preferences, are able to concoct a mean cocktail that is not on the menu.We were only able to order one and alas, our table was ready.
The downstairs bar had a stalwart team of mixologists who made a tasty vodka gimlet straight up. These are the type of real mixologists that with a small amount of information about your preferences, are able to concoct a mean cocktail that is not on the menu.We were only able to order one and alas, our table was ready.
We were seated on the second level (there are three) at a cozy half booth half table. The waiter was quick and efficient, but it was really his food runner that stood out. She was constantly checking to make sure that everything was to our liking, bottom line, she was exceptional.
For my main course, I ordered the filet mignon, medium. This perfectly cooked piece of meat definitely raised my eyebrows in surprise. A steak that rivals Minetta Tavern? No! It couldn’t be. Could it? I gleefully admitted to myself that this steak was equally as good, if not better, than Minetta Tavern. It was so tender that it literally melted in my mouth. I could eat it in my sleep and it will definitely be in my dreams. It’s THAT good. But wait, I’m getting to the best part, dessert.
I typically do not even touch dessert menus or even sneak a peek as the thought of dessert sends shivers down my spine. Dessert equals hours of gym time that I would just rather avoid altogether. I would have to chain myself to a stair master for three hours if I had dessert after a steak. However, my friend mumbled under his breath “take 5” and I immediately perked up. Take 5 you say? I grabbed the menu in surprise and there it was, take 5 tart. What? Did they know that I did a brand "revival" of this candy bar in college? Did they know that Forbes rated this candy bar the most undervalued brand in the world? Quality Meats needs to go knocking on Hershey's door and help them realize that this candy bar is the absolute best piece of chocolate to ever hit the market. Let me give you a crash course. Take 5 is THE best candy bar to ever exist. It has milk chocolate, peanuts, caramel, peanut butter, and pretzels, hence the name, take 5. I have never seen this as a dessert, ever. I was shocked to see it on the menu. I ordered it and slipped blissfully into sugar heaven.
Needless to say, I will be making Quality Meats a regular go-to restaurant in my rotation.
