Clinton Fresh Food
(212) 614-6960
71 Clinton St
New York,
NY
10002
40.7193
-73.9852
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Lower East Side
Last updated 4.01.09
What People Are Saying About Clinton Fresh Food
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Clinton Street might not have blossomed into restaurant row had this unassuming spot (the first to open there in 1999) not set such high standards. Since then, the small, boxy space has changed surprisingly little: The walls are still bright orange, the tables are still close together and crisply set, and service is still unpretentious and knowledgeable.
The Food
Founding chef Wylie Dufresne left the kitchen long ago, but the innovative international, market-fresh menu he instilled still thrives. To start, there's beautifully balanced squash soup with finely diced smoked chicken, sweet apples and salty cashews, or braised baby octopus salad, rich with bone marrow, light with blood orange. Entrees are equally stunning: Crisp-skinned roasted bass pairs with Serrano ham and caramelized cabbage confit; herbed gnocchi float in intense Parmesan broth; braised pork belly melts over mushroom-chestnut-brussels sprouts fricassee. The signature chocolate cake has a luscious peanut butter center.
User Reviews
nekkochan
December 30, 2005
The food was inventive and quite deelish, but the waitress was laughable with her pretentious 80s-velvet-rope-palladium-doorman attitude. That was a buzzkill, considering we were all very much looking forward to a delightful culinary experience. Caught her dissing our table with a co-worker at one point. The prices and the portions are a bit our of proportion with one another. Would I go again? Too many great places in this town to pay good money to deal with a waitstaff with an attitude. That style of service is so not happening...
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macbethnyc
November 29, 2005
Ate here for the first time last night, and we had a very good experience. The fare is creative and blends ingredients that aren't paired on more typical menus. Yet, the flavors seem to truely belong together and you can't understand why you haven't tried pork, cannellini beans, black mint, apricots, tomato concentrate all together before. True, the portions are small, but we didn't leave hungry. We each had an appetizer and an entree and all were delicious. If you don't splurge on the wine, it's actually not a painful night out for your wallet.
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katrinasview
September 01, 2005
I had a unique and extremely pleasurable dining experience at 71 Clinton Fresh Foods. The chef's creative combinations of flavors took my palate to a place it has never been. The Wahoo melted in the mouth, foie gras out of this world. Everything was at its best, will definitely go again soon.
read full reviewThe Details on Clinton Fresh Food
Where to Sit:
The bar's a welcoming spot for solo diners. And don't miss a taste of the seasonally changing punch, in a big bowl on the bar.
The Extras:
Wylie Dufresne devotees should check out WD-50, where the chef now cooks in an open kitchen.
What to Drink:
The wine list is brief, with impressively well-chosen and interesting bottles, like Refosco, a funky Friulian red variety that pairs well with most dishes. Ask the approachable sommelier for suggestions.
