Restaurant Thalia
Reviewed on: 2011-06-20 By: Claire McCurdyCuisine type: American
Price range: 30-50
Address: 828 Eighth Ave (at 50th Street)
Phone: 212.399.4444
Elegant and classy, The Thalia is a true gem.
A memorable dining experience. Elegant and classy and relaxing and/or giving good value for the money: those were the specifications. I was seeking a lovely midtown restaurant for relatives visiting from the U.K. I received a warm recommendation for Thalia Restaurant.
Well, I've finally found it and I'm delighted. The Thalia is a true gem.
Who was Thalia? The muse of comedy and lyric poetry, an ideal goddess inspiration for a beautiful restaurant in the Theatre District. The Thalia is a high ceilinged, elegantly decorated restaurant with huge theatrical wall posters , gigantic sprays of fresh grasses and flowers, and walls of a warm persimmon red– anyone would relax and rejoice in such an atmosphere, even before they'd received their menu.
And of course the Thalia serves great food. And the service is almost too attentive. Waiters repeatedly swooped down on me with huge water pitchers; my own waiter kept my iced tea glass filled. If you target these places for an early lunch, you will generally find a quiet atmosphere, friendly and speedy service, and excellent food. There was a small congenial crowd yesterday, but each diner received individual attention.
This time, I tried a $16.95 prix fixe two course meal (with the option of a third) and was overwhelmed by the quality, quantity, and rich flavors.
The first course was a salad of herbal mesclun greens- with marinated tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and shallot vinaigrette. I ate slowly, conscious that I was going to be put to the test with the main dish both in terms of consumption and of description. If one can describe a salad as both rich and crisp, that's how I'd put it... The shallot dressing, which was pungent and delicious didn't overwhelm the greens.
The second course was a four-egg frittata with Portobello mushrooms, and spinach, covered with a layer of caramelized onions, huge portions of rich melting goat cheese, and topped with baby arugula. If I'm repeating myself, bear with me—it was just delicious. The frittata itself was crunchy on the outside, melting on the inside, packed with vegetables. The onions on the top were almost of a sweet jam consistency, but savory. The rich tart goat cheese melted on the frittata and in the mouth; and the arugula added another sharp tangy note to this dish.
Suffice it to say that I regretfully passed on the desserts. It had been a wonderful meal. I simply did not have room for anything more. But I am already planning on a return.
Like Zen Palate, the Thalia has a "gourmet lunch box" of sandwiches and salads priced at $12 and from the look of it many take advantage of it. If you're in midtown for luch and short on time, you might wish to do the same.
Monday – Friday 12:00pm - 2:30pm 5:00pm - 11:30pm
Tuesday through Saturday 5:00pm - 12:00am
Saturday Brunch 11:00am - 2:30pm
Sunday 11:00am - 2:30pm Sunday 4:30pm - 11:30pm
Vist website: www.restaurantthalia.com
