Gramercy Tavern- Craft Beer Dinner

Everyone knows the main dining room at Gramercy Tavern offers a fabulous tasting menu every night, but did you know the Tavern also offers a tasting menu with totally different items and at a much lesser cost.  Mr T and I were intrigued by the most recent one titled A Celebration of Craft Beer. We began with a Roasted Oyster amuse bouche from the chef.

This was phenomenal.  I loved how roasting gave the oyster a warm smokiness that was surprisingly perfect with the brine...even Mr. T enjoyed this and he is not an oyster fan.  Onto our first course Shrimp & Mussels in a Carrot, Coconut and Quinoa Broth.

The combination of  flavors in this dish were lovely.  It had a thicker broth than one would imagine, much earthier from the quinoa but then the coconut gave it an Asian spin and really lightened it up.  The pairing with a crisp Peekskill Simple Sour was spot on too.  Second course Smoked Sweetbreads with Grilled Asparagus and Toasted Hazelnuts.

I like sweetbreads but I guess I'm still a bit squeamish when it comes to eating a gland and here the mushy texture was so oddly apparent I just couldn't fully enjoy the dish.  That's okay because I enjoyed the Bronx Pale Ale which was paired with it and  fell right back in love with the next course Grilled Lamb Shoulder Steak with Grilled Onions, Turnips and Garlic Scraps.

Pungent lamb, buttery pureed potatoes and garlic...what's not to love about this.  The Celebrator Doppelbock was another great pairing.  But possibly the best pairing of the night came with dessert.  The incredible Goose Island Bourbon County Stout alongside Chocolate Layer Cake with Sour Cream Ice Cream.

Moist chocolate cake, tangy ice cream and a strong bourbon beer...another dish impossible not to love.  This  tasting menu was excellent for beer lovers and newbies alike.  

There's nothing quite like the comfort and sophistication of the Tavern.  If only I could eat here every day... 

Gramercy Tavern