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OVERVIEW:

• APIARY: 60 3rd Avenue @ 10th Street; (646) 861-2663; www.apiarynyc.com
• TYPE: New American
• PRICE:  $$$
• QUICKVIEW: One of the best meals I’ve had in a LONG time.  Nothing groundbreaking as far as flavor profiling or unique combinations, but just fresh, savory, delicious food — simple & unabashed.
• TIP: They have a great Prix Fixe deal on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – 3 course meal for $35!
• SEOULDIVA SAYS: ♥♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥

FULL REVIEW:
Apiary has been on my “To Eat” List for quite some time. First, it was hyped up by NY Magazine, followed by my homeboys at Immaculate Infatuation giving it a stellar review — and for those two foodstars to align, it was enough of a co-sign for me!

The interior was cute — modern with touches of feather grey and whimsical bees scattered throughout the space.  But I was perplexed by the crowd.  While I was waiting for my friend at the bar, it seemed a little like Bingo night at the YMCA.  There was even a potential Blueblocker sighting.  HM.
Despite the questionable dining-mates, the food lived up to the hype.  Being “new American”, there was nothing rule-bending about the flavors or spices, but everything we ate was prepared exquisitely.  It doesn’t have to be fancy — it just has to TASTE GOOD.
The food was savory, yet light.  Each dish tasted FRESH and you could really taste each  ingredient for what it was — instead of having the ingredients taste like other things.  Food tasting like food.  What a concept.  :)
MENU:

• Prix Fix Menu (Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays)
• Appetizer Menu
• Main Course & Sides
• Dessert
• Cocktails!

Please see a plate-by-plate below.
PLATE BY PLATE:

• “THE POLLENATOR” Strega, Muddled Citrus, Tarragon. This was everything I wanted in a cocktail.  It was refreshing, had the herby kick from the tarragon and it was fabulous. SEOULDIVA SAYS: ♥♥♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥

• “THE SPRING FLING” Absolut Citron, Rhubarb, Strawberry, Aperol, Mint. I would drink this with or without the Absolut!  Again, remarkably refreshing and not very sweet.  Unfortunately, a little more sour from the Rhubarb would have been welcome, but it was lovely nonetheless. SEOULDIVA SAYS:  ♥♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥

• APIARY GREEN SALAD with fine herbs, shallots and red wine vinaigrette. Yes, a green salad is a green salad.  But this was a delicious one.  (though, I’m not sure that “chives” qualify as “fine herbs”)  Momma Park always says that the mark of a well-dressed salad: when you finish your plate, there should be NO dressing left on it.  This was a well-dressed salad. SEOULDIVA SAYS:  ♥♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥

• SPECIAL APPETIZER: Peekeytoe Crab meat with spicy guac in a ___ Jus. I am kicking myself for not remembering the jus — I’m usually better at that.  ARGH!  Regardless, this was DELICIOUS.  The crabcake was not laden with breadcrumbs. The meat was light, fluffy, moist, but the cake still held its shape.  The jus was savory (maybe it was pomegranate?) and a shade on the too-salty side (but that was OK with me). The dollop of guac had this fantastic jalapeno kick.  I’d eat this 3x over. SEOULDIVA SAYS:  ♥♥♥♥/♥♥♥♥♥

• ROASTED ORGANIC CHICKEN mascarpone polenta, glazed carrots, peas, tarragon jus. I am not a big “chicken” person.  Sure, if it’s battered & deep fried, I’ll eat just about anything.  But I usually never voluntarily order it off a menu (in fact, I don’t think I EVER do).  My friend gave me a bit of this dish and it was spectacular.  The skin was deliciously crisp, the meat was juice/moist/tender…the polenta was creamy yet subtle.  It was very well-balanced.  Again, the “jus” was a little on the too-salty side, but it worked fine with the rest of the things on the plate. SEOULDIVA SAYS: ♥♥♥♥½/♥♥♥♥♥

• HANGAR STEAK with roasted shallots, potato puree, and red wine jus. Knowing that I’m dangerously close to converting to a raw vegan diet, I figured I should go out in a blaze of glory — RED MEAT!  Again, the jus was a little salty (but I love salt, so it was no problem).  Maybe it was over-reduced??  It was a “meat & potatoes” meal in every sense.  Well-cooked and very traditional. SEOULDIVA SAYS: ♥♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥

• ORZO “MAC” and CHEESE: Naming this a “MAC” and Cheese sets the expectations pretty high for the cheese sauce.  It was more of a creamy alfredo than a traditional mac ‘n cheese sauce — all cream, no sharp cheese flavor.  BUT, the Orzo was cooked impeccably: plump, and al dente.  Personally I coulda used a bit more of a kick. SEOULDIVA SAYS: ♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥

• VANILLA PANNA COTTA with raspberry coulis. Since I’m not a big fan of Chocolate (I’m missing that chocolate gene)…I LOVE a good panna cotta for dessert.  I got really excited by the vanilla beans on top…but when I dipped my spoon into it, it was a little…well…gelatinous.  I think they must have added some gelatin or SOMEthing to keep the hold of it, but normal panna cotta doesn’t normally have that gummy texture.  Texture aside, it was still light & refreshing. SEOULDIVA SAYS:  ♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥

• RHUBARB TART with vanilla ice cream. I love rhubarb, and this tart was HEAVEN.  I loved that it was pure rhubarb (not with strawberry), so it was nice & tart.  The crust was flaky and crisp and it arrived perfectly warmed.  HEAVEN. SEOULDIVA SAYS:  ♥♥♥♥♥ / ♥♥♥♥♥