New York - December 27, 2005

Best of 2005: Ah, What a Country

Country Restaurant Opens

Hear that? It’s the tune of 2006. Before we dive in, a shout-out to our favorites from 2005. Feel free to hum along.

Originally published 10/5/05

Dear Miss Eatsy,

Twenty thousand restaurants and not a single place to eat. How hard can it be? I want to be seduced by an almond croissant at 7 a.m. and steak frites at midnight. No 50-page menu. And I am just sick, sick, sick of the downtown scene (east and west).

Help?

Picky on Prince

Dear Princess,

Count your lucky stars. Today, Geoffrey Zakarian’s impressive and long-awaited Country opens on lower Madison. The striking, dark-wood cafe keeps your requested hours and fits the bill, whether you’re hungry for a soft-boiled egg and white gazpacho or roasted artichokes and lacquered pork.

Your senses are in for an even bigger feast when the restaurant upstairs opens next month. Polish your Maloles: A 1911 tile floor and Tiffany-style glass dome were discovered and restored to dazzling effect. (People-watching has never had a finer arena. Start practicing your catwalk.) The market-fresh menu will change every two weeks; prix fixe meals will be served family-style. Should the after-dinner bubbles at the champagne bar go to your head, you can always sneak into the Carlton Hotel upstairs for an indiscretion. I won’t tell.

Love,

Eatsy

Country, 90 Madison Avenue, at 29th Street (212-889-7100).

Still hungry? Here are a few other tasty bits from 2005:

Secret Service
A New Secret Bar

Devil on Your Shoulder
Diablo Royale Opens

Wanna Bette? 
Amy Sacco Opens Bette

Cuba Gooding
Habana Outpost: Brooklyn Opens