New York - September 12, 2002

Charlie Palmer in the 'Hood

Kitchen22 Opens

We used to have this fat-cat mogul friend who loved to treat us to fancy dinners at Nobu, Aureole, Gramercy Tavern, and Blue Hill when he came to town on business.

Then the SEC came sniffing.

So much for that gravy train.

Sadly, though everyone’s expense account may have shrunk, our taste buds haven’t gotten the memo.

Lucky for us, chef Charlie Palmer (Metrazur, Astra West, Aureole) feels our pain. He’s done a speedy makeover on Alva, transforming it from a dark cigar-filled space into Kitchen22, a cozy neighborhood charmer that feels like the country house we don’t have.

What’s so great about a new dinner restaurant on already crowded 22nd Street? The killer $25 prix fixe. What will Palmer and chef Scott Romano dish up? Here’s a sampling: starters like seared tuna, heirloom-tomato salad, and corn soup; main courses like strip steak with caper relish, halibut with avocado tartare, and mustard-crusted salmon. Sorry, no substitutions for you, Picky Pants. (But they might oblige if you want a little taste of everything on the dessert cart.)

Palmer promises Kitchen22 will deliver an Aureole meal — for about one quarter the price.

Which makes our wallets as happy as our tummies.

Kitchen22, 36 East 22nd Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South (212-228-4399). Closed Sundays. No reservations.