Henry's

Henry's
2745 Broadway - Map
Corner of West 105th St
New York, NY
(212) 866-0600
Traditional American/Bistro

I had the pleasure of lunching at Henry's this past Sunday while on a date. And as far as that goes, it is a pleasant place to go to for a date. The hostesses were pleasant, and one of them found us a table rather quickly, considering the place was full of couples, and a few families with children (all of whom were very well behaved).

The decor was clean and organized with light wooden paneling, and the light fixtures were drop lamps with red shades. Since the ceiling was high, the lamps didn't come down very far. Furthermore, the large windows along the Broadway side of the restaurant brought in a considerable amount of light on that beautifully sunny day. The overall level of noise wasn't oppressive, and one could easily carry a conversation, although eavesdropping on your neighbors' conversations wasn't difficult.

Once seated, we were presented with the menus, and we both started with a cup of coffee. When we requested skim milk, the waitress was mildly snooty about informing us that they didn't have any, but other than that, she was perfectly attentive. The coffee, I have to say, was pretty good: it balanced the right amount of aroma and bitterness that I have come to appreciate in a good cup of coffee. The milk was served warm in a small metal cream carafe, and lightly frothed. I was, however, disappointed to note their lack of sweetner selection, but I made do.

I ordered their Warm Goat Cheese Salad with Beets and Green Beans, while my date ordered their Cobb Salad. Shortly after ordering, we were brought our orders - which marks for high points in my book. My salad was beautifully composed on a bed of mesclun greens, and little beet medallions strewn about on the periphery of the bed. Pine nuts and green beans dotted the the whole nest of leaves, and it was perfectly dressed in a pomegranate balsamic vinaigrette that was not overpowering and surprisingly complimented the earthiness and sweetness of the beets. One expects pomegranates to be generally sweet, although the hint of tartness and mouthy feel added considerably to the experience. The crisp crunch of green beans added a surprisingly delicious texture to every bite.

Along the top of the plate, were three slices of baguette topped with a tablespoon of creamy goat cheese, and as per the description, was warmed to just the right consistency to prevent it from melting, but rather gave it an even creamier and smoother texture. I expected the baguettes to be toasted, but I found that the softness of the inner part of the bread was actually a more pleasant accompaniment to the cheese, when paired with the fresh crunch of the crust. I imagine that if the bread were to be toasted, it would have made for a very awkward bite.

For lunch, it was a bit pricey, but the quality of the food and of the service justifies it. If you find yourself in the Columbia University neighborhood, drop in to this pleasant venue for some good quality meals!