fatty ‘cue

After a very civilised brunch at The Dutch we meandered around the streets of SoHo stopping at shops, street stalls and for a quick coffee and cookie (double choc chip pecan if you were wondering) along the way. Around 4ish we made a detour to Koreatown for some fried chicken before arriving at Fatty ‘Cue for our first dinner (yes, you read right) of the evening.

We were booked in at PDT immediately after so decided to stay off cocktails till later, and ordered fresh coconuts instead. They turned out to be the ideal foil for the flavour-packed dishes. A plate of Heritage Pork Ribs with Indonesian long pepper, fish sauce and palm sugar were succulent and unapologetically intense. Definitely over-seasoned, but they grew on me as my palate adjusted to the salt levels.

The Trippa “Malaysiana” was similarly punchy – rich, luscious and swimming in a red anchovy curry – it was a powerhouse of flavour that needed moderation for a more balanced dish. Still, we did enjoy it and used up the crusty bread in mopping up the gravy.

The Smoked Brandt Beef Brisket was the best of the lot. Two different cuts were given – the leaner cut was tender and meaty, while the fattier cut almost melted in the mouth. One of each slice tucked in the warm toasted parker rolls with the gently-sharp roasted mushroom and onion pickle and a crumbling of aged gouda made a perfect bite.

At this point we were thanking the stars that our next dinner (a 10+ course tasting menu) was a good four hours away. Our last dish was half a Buttermilk Fried Rabbit, marinaded in cincalok (fermented shrimp paste) and served with a bottle of green-chilli sauce. The acidity of the sauce was a great partner for the tasty fried rabbit with its crisp savoury golden coating and moist meat within.

I appreciate Zakary Pelaccio’s playful attempt at fusing smoky American barbecue with the vibrant South East Asian flavours. Some of the mash-ups worked better than others but it was a fun dining experience all the same.

Fatty ‘Cue
50 Carmine St
(bet. Bleecker & Bedford)
New York, NY 10014

t. 212-929-5050

~ by gourmettraveller on March 20, 2012.