Incognito Bistro | New York City (CLOSED)

A couple weeks ago I attended a Press Dinner at Incognito Bistro, a Scottish-Italian restaurant located in the heart of Manhattan’s Flatiron district.


Less than two years old, Incognito boasts romantic, elegant, modern decor in a candlelight setting.
Loved the black & white pictures on the wall… old family photos gives the restaurant a slight vintage, yet modern look.
Incognito also offers a seating area for private events which may be booked ahead of time.
Here is the Chef – Paolo Montana, and his wife who possesses a great sense of humor, is friendly, and so attentive, but not just with our group, but other groups as well. 
We were offered an extensive tasting menu along with wine pairings, needless to say, the experience was wonderful.
 

LOCATION
30 W 18th Street (btw. 5th & 6th Ave)
New York, NY 10011
(flatiron)

MENU: Incognito Menu
COST: $$$
CUISINE: Italian-Scottish
RECOMMENDED TO: Couples, Happy Hour (all day), Small Groups, Classy Dining.
AMBIENCE: Classy/Elegant

MY REVIEW – this is a tasting menu as part of a Press Dinner, hence the portions are smaller.
As soon as we were seated, we started off with a glass of Prosecco, succulent and delish.  And of course, bread on the side.



APPETIZERS
Smoked Scottish Salmon Pizza w/Lemon Ricotta and Capers.  A unique combo, but a winning one.  Although I’m a HUGE fan of salmon, I actually don’t eat smoked salmon, but regardless I gave this pizza a shot and devoured it.  There are hints of goat cheese in the pizza, but nothing too prominent that I couldn’t handle.
Burrata – A plate of heaven!  I think Burrata may just be my new favorite Italian cheese, I had heard of it, but never tried it.  Soft, mild, creamy cheese that has a texture similar to Ricotta.  The truffle oil, that I could actually smell, and hints of basil took my breath away.  My favorite dish of the night.
Pea Soup – There was no dairy in this soup, and it was still tasty.  The crouton on top was outstanding.  The Extra Virgin Olive Oil used was of high quality.  
Grilled Calamari w/Rucola.  Personally, I prefer fried calamari over grilled.  The flavor was bitter, the texture was tough.  A let down.


MAINS
Highland Haggis – Lamb Sausage w/Turnips, Creamed Potatoes, and Whiskey Jus, paired w/Merlot Wine.  The lamb was tender.  The sauce was smooth & tasty with mild undertones of whiskey.  Unfortunately the mashed potatoes were a bit sweet than the norm.  The lamb paired impeccably well with the strong, dry glass of Merlot.

Pasta – there were 3 completely different pastas served which highlights the chef’s versatility.
* Butternut Squash Ravioli w/Mascarpone & Green Peas (top left).  Sweet and savory at the same time, so delicious and unique.  My favorite pasta.
* Cannelloni stuffed w/Beef & Spinach (right).  A favorite amongst most, but I found it rather salty which took away from the flavor of this dish. 
* Pappardelle in a Bolognese Sauce (front).  Although I don’t eat beef, I did indulge in this dish since it was so delicious and buttery, but it needed a hint of salt. 

Wild Stripped Bass, paired w/White Wine.  Underwhelming, a little tough, not seasoned well enough.  The sauce was light with hints of jalapeno (nice touch) and paired well with a glass of white wine.


Fillet Mignon w/Wild Mushroom, Fennel, & Cognac Sauce.  As mentioned above, I don’t typically eat beef, but I did try this dish and as expected, I found it chewy.  On the other hand, the mushroom sauce that complemented the beef was simply out of this world.  And of course, the Fillet Mignon paired beautifully with a glass of red.





DESSERT
Cranachan made with Berry Compote, Chantilly Cream, toasted Scottish Oats, & Honey.  This dessert almost looked healthy, like something you would eat for breakfast, only its dessert, and better.  An original and scrumptious combination for dessert. 

OVERALL: 3.5 / 5
Located in the heart of the Flatiron district, Incognito is no longer a secret.  It was my first time dining at a Scottish-like restaurant and I truly enjoyed the experience.  Most dishes were fantastic while others fell short due to lack of salt, too much salt, or the meat/fish being too tough and/or not seasoned enough.  The wines chosen to pair with certain dishes enhanced the flavor of the dish.  My favorites of the night were the Smoked Salmon Pizza, Buratta, and Butternut Squash Ravioli.  Incognito offers beautiful decor, excellent service, and good food.