[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

We may not all be able to afford lunch in the dining room of Aquavit, but there's no excuse for not dropping by the Bistro room during lunch. There's a new addition to the menu, listed as an appetizer, though certainly large enough to satisfy for your midday meal (but leave room for dessert, of course!). Meet the Smørrebrød ($11). An open-faced sandwich concoction that begins at the base with warm, crusty Danish rye bread, piled high with herbs and boiled, shaved potatoes. A heaping of mustard herring follows, accompanied by a top of truffled egg salad. Trout roe to finish and a garnish of dill. Quite extravagant, no? This particular combination was a first for me and definitely not my last. The egg salad is a perfect match for the heady, tangy mustard herring. And as for dessert? Don't pass on the Arctic Circle, a chilly goat cheese parfait paired with blueberry and passion fruit.

Aquavit

65 East 55th Street, New York NY 10022 (map)
212-307-7311
aquavit.org