Annisa

It was sad news in the restaurant world when Annisa, chef Anita Lo's intimate, gorgeous restaurant in the West Village, closed in 2017.

I had the pleasure of dining at Annisa twice - once alone (I went alone because I was in New York visiting Le Professeur M and she had to work) and once with Mr. Plow (on a whimsical, impromptu trip to the city).

On my first visit, I literally had the dining room to myself. I booked a table for 5:30 and proceeded to luxuriate in 90 minutes of attentive deliciousness. I remember two dishes distinctly: the seared foie gras with dumplings - so rich and decadent - and the unique mille-feuille with strawberries and pink peppercorns.

In 2010, while on a Thanksgiving trip to Vermont, Mr. Plow and I made an unplanned road trip to New York. Though it was a last-minute decision during a holiday week, we managed both to find a room at the wonderful Hotel Giraffe and to get a table at Annisa. Once inside the warm, comforting dining room, we decided to take the leap and order the five-course chef's tasting menu!

It was simply amazing! We were served the foie gras and soup dumplings that I had previously enjoyed alone. I'm a known eggplant denier, but I could not deny the tastiness of the savory eggplant dish. We also devoured the South African bobotie, a variation on shepherd's pie with lamb and potatoes. Finally, two desserts - a grapefruit panna cotta and a lemon bread pudding - capped an unexpectedly incredible evening.