Bill's Townhouse, located in the heart of Midtown East on 54th Street between Madison and Park, is a great example of new American cuisine done to perfection, as well as some wonderful decor, ambiance and hospitality to really elevate a fantastic experience. Myself and two friends stopped by there Friday night, and were pretty amazed by what they had to offer.
Conveniently located a block away from the E and M lines, as well as a short distance from the 6, Bill's Townhouse is a delightful two story restaurant that reads as a cozy bar on the first floor and a more refined, elegant experience on the second floor. The first floor provides a bar and spacious seating, which is great for the business crowd who work around the busy area. If you are looking for something a little bit more quiet, I would recommend the second floor as not only does it give you that tranquility to dine with your friends and family, but it also has some spectacular views of the location itself.
With warm browns encompassing Bill's Townhouse, it really sets the mood for a fantastic experience that lay ahead, and was the perfect setting for a "fall" type of location. I have reviewed more than a hundred restaurants in my time running Manhattan Digest, and I have to say that Bill's Townhouse really is one of the best as they excelled in each category they presented us with.
The menu isn't overdone to where you feel like you are reading a book for the dinner section. What they are proving you in the appetizer, entree and dessert portions of the menu excel in flavor, presentation and overall appeal. For the appetizer part, I would highly recommend their Crabcake with cabbage slaw and tartar sauce, Veal & Porcini Meatballs with ricotta and fried sage, and finally their Thick Cut Bacon with tomato compote, arugala and balsamic. Each option was hearty, cooked perfectly well, with the right amount of flavor to really showcase the main star in each. My personal favorite out of the three was the Meatballs, as they really blended very well with the ricotta and fried sage. Absolutely delicious.
For entrees, we were two part land, and one by sea. The entree that I had was their Pan Seared Chicken with carrots, onions and lemon, and a side of mashed potatoes. I have had chicken in so many ways and so many times in my life, but this was a different experience. The skin on the chicken was finger licking good, and you pair that with the carrots and onions with the gravy they put on the bottom of the bowl, and you are literally entranced. I got a strong sense of an early Thanksgiving meal, and it was absolutely heavenly.
The other two options that we tried and highly recommend were their Fried Chicken Cutlets with brown gravy and sea salt, as well as their Scallop Newburg with leek, mushroom and heavy cream. My friend who tried the Fried Chicken is from the south, and he thought it tasted just like home in how it was prepared and executed. The Scallow Newburg was amazing as well, as the scallop tasted fantastic and really paired well with the supporting cast.
For the dessert options at Bill's Townhouse, it is cake galore with your choice of moist and mouthwatering options that left us full and satisfied. Bill's Yellow Cake with whipped cream and chocolate ganasche was the stand out as they melded incredibly well together for a warm and satisfying bite. The Flourless Chocolate Cake with strawberry coulis and Cheesecake were two tempting and tasty options to end your meal with as well. Overall, this was a flawless dinner that left us wanting to come back for more.
I highly recommend trying Bill's Townhouse for yourself this coming week and beyond. For more information, check out their official site.
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