I happened upon this place by means of a serendipitous miscommunication. I trekked to old city on a snowy January weeknight, to have dinner at another local BYO. I was cold and excited about the prospect of a hearty meal. Unfortunately, the other place was closed but my hunger did not abate itself. So I casually strolled a few blocks and like a mirage on a boiling sahara day, there came a cozy and intimate-looking place — one called Bistro 7.
A quaint BYOB with its walls of mint green and its understated yet chic décor, Bistro 7 perfectly balances an inviting ambience with an exciting and ever-rotating menu. Chef Michael O’Halloran (formerly of White Dog Café fame) uses nothing but local, organic farmers to supply the ingredients needed to concoct his eclectic modern American cuisine.
I started with the potato leek soup topped with rosemary cured salmon, crème fraiche and chive oil. Served at a perfect temperature, the soup was (thankfully) light in consistency — as most potato leek soups tend to veer towards the chunky and bland side of the spectrum — yet balanced a refreshing mix of complimentary flavors. It was the entrée, however, that really struck the right cord with my picky palate: a filet of Atlantic salmon braised with bacon and Savoy cabbage accompanied by mashed winter root vegetables and topped with a light burgundy thyme butter sauce. Worried that this dish would be too heavy what with the butter sauce and the bacon, I was pleasantly surprised. The salmon was perfectly accented by the caraway and burgundy-thyme butter sauce that managed to not drown the root vegetable mash.
I decided to end my meal with the coconut jasmine rice pudding with toasted hazelnuts and caramel, and it was quite possibly the best decision I made that week. Creamy, delicious and a little crunchy, this dessert left me on a sugar high, in the best possible way.
Bistro 7 7 N. 3rd St. (215) 931-1560 Don’t Miss: Potato leek soup Skip: Bringing crowds — it’ll make the staff cranky Bottom Line: Savory flavors, creative combinations, ascetic atmosphere
