Montmarte is a charming, French feeling spot in the old, beloved Gascogne space. It is intimate & urbane and since recently opening, fills a void in Chelsea. The food is updated French classics and tasty. Bread is from Sullivan St. bakery and goes well with soft butter. The amuse bouche of scallop & pistachio was lovely. I went with the skate($26) which is served with winey, mustardy cabbage. The dish was tasty, but arrived awfully fast which is usually a red flag in a restaurant. The potatoes souffle($10) with goat cheese was like fried potatoes on steroids. So delicicious and a good counter-balance to the skate. I was full and passed on dessert. Montmarte inherits the small, but sweet garden from Gascogne and will be beloved in warmer months.
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Do you like to sing Volare and Mambo Italiano with your meal? This old school throwback with new school updates scores a homerun in the food field though you will pay dearly for the experience. Food comes and comes and comes- starting with lovely parmigiano cut from the wheel, house cut proscuitto and tasty grandma bread. Next comes the bread basket- oofah. They season imported grissini in house and they are great. I ordered diver scallops- Sorrentina style- amazing! Table prepared Ceasar with house croutons was flavorfull. Beef ribs with cherry peppers are juicy and slightly spicy. The standout dish was the creamed escarole. The menu descriptions are limited, but this huge serving of pancetta filled, cheese topped escarole($12) is simply genius. The Torrisi Brothers hit high notes in the former Rocco space. No room for dessert which comes on a dessert cart because I was so stuffed in a good way. The food is a gargantuan family-style feast. Dessert looked a tad pedestrian.
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