The good folks at D'Amico Kitchen (the new restaurant at the Chambers hotel) hosted myself, Editor Joel Schettler and Associate Editor Ellie Bayrd for lunch today. It was delightful.
The new restaurant had its soft opening on Monday but the Grand Opening will be Sept. 9. The space still looks conducive to the rest of the hotel--very clean and simple, very Chambers--but with new works of art and splashes of lavender and coral on a few of the walls. The low couches have been replaced by tables and (very comfy) creamy-white leather chairs. I peeked out onto the patio, where a few people were sitting in what used to be known as the Gorilla Bar and is now called Eden. It seems aptly named, as our server told us they're going to plant some vines and make it more garden-like, reminiscent of the patio at Campiello's old Uptown location. I'm not sure if the new name for the upstairs bar (formerly Red White and F*#%ing Blue) has been announced yet, but I asked our server and he said it will be called XO.
We started lunch with lamb meatballs and yogurt sauce. There were golden raisins, onions and mint involved as well. I'm no wine pairing expert but I thought they were delicious with the Malbec I ordered. Then Joel and I both had the garganelli carbonara with pancetta and fava beans. SUPER flavorful. Ellie had the grilled chicken sandwich, which was tasty but I liked my pasta better. I was intrigued by literally everything on the dessert menu (a common issue for me) but we settled on two tasty little numbers: warm almond frangipane-filled crepes with vanilla mascarpone and almond brittle (my favorite of the two) and warm chocolate cake with olive oil gelato and cherries. Although I've never been big on chocolate cake (freakish, I know) I have a deep, unwavering affection for ice cream in all its forms. I could not pass up the chance to try this olive oil gelato and it was rich and creamy and everything I thought it might be. Don't know if I could eat more than just that one scoop though.
Our server was professional, attentive and offered suggestions when we asked. The food was very tasty and very interesting, with options for the less adventurous eaters among us (ahem, Ellie) and for the types who will eat just about anything (me and Joel). All in all, it was everything you'd expect from D'Amico and I'm very excited to see what they'll cook up for our Sept. 24 Vision Awards we're holding in the ART room (pictured). I'll try not to spend all my time stuffing D'Amico appetizers in my purse, but if I am, hopefully now you'll understand.
--Marni Ginther
Assistant Editor
Image from Chambers' Web site
I strongly recommend the Braised Shortribs...so tender with just the right amount of fennel.
Fun running into the three of you today (seems like D'Amico Kitchen was THE place to be today)!
Posted by: Geri Wolf | August 26, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Good to see you too! I know, Tim and Josh were there, and I saw my friend Phu who works at the bar. Small, small world.
Posted by: Marni | August 26, 2009 at 05:35 PM