I was invited to the modern French/American Beautique restaurant near the Plaza Hotel for dinner last week, and invited a visiting friend. I still smell and crave the food – especially that juicy duck…and that chocolate caramel popcorn tart…

Beautique’s food was memorable, but so was the cozy, sophisticated atmosphere. From when you walk through the covert front door and descend the black and silver carpeted staircase, I could tell I was in for something special. I can understand why Leonardo DiCaprio and Mick Jagger choose to eat here, along with a bunch of other celebrities who are tired of getting harassed.

Food, atmosphere, service: I saw a superlative performance by this triple-threat. Our server, Steve, went above and beyond, but not in a weird creepy way as it goes sometimes in fancy restaurants. He was genuine, told us what he would order and ultimately chose right.

Here’s what we ordered:

For the Table

Fried potato gnocchi (with lemon zest)

Zucchini flower beignets

Appetizer

Watermelon, yellow tomato and avocado salad (with feta, arugula and mint citrus dressing)

Fish

Branzino (baby leeks, artichokes, potato fondant, black truffle barigoule jus)

Meat

Duck Breast (chimichurri butter, spinach spaetzle, wild mushrooms)

Dessert

Caramel Chocolate Tart (with popcorn ice cream)

Cocktail

The Maison Martini (Absolut Elyx, St. Germain, lemongrass, fresh pineapple, mint)

Each of the plates had that added flair. I’m sitting there thinking, “ok that sounds like it will be good, let’s order it” and then all of a sudden I’m eating it and it’s blowing my mind. The lemon zest on the fried gnocchi did this for me. I couldn’t stop eating them.  Even the BREAD was unexpectedly good, ok? I did NOT expect it to be grilled and pre-buttered. DELISH.

Each dish was impressive because I hadn’t ever tasted anything like them. Something as simple as the watermelon avocado salad had noteworthy flavor combinations – tomato, red onion and feta with watermelon? Just yes. I also discovered that I like spaetzle…and that I can’t control myself around a chocolate caramel popcorn tart.

Why go:

Definitely make an occasion out of it. It’s an impressive place that won’t disappoint. Bring a date – the place is intrinsically romantic in its seclusion. But it’s also a fancy and fun place for a girls’ weekend. The drinks are fab, and the staff makes you feel like a celeb.

Try their new brunch starting October 24th. It looks like I’m going to need to go back to experience Eggs Benedict with Lobster and the Scrambled Eggs with American Caviar…oh well.

Less splurge, more saving:  

Here’s a deal you can get now through January 31, 2016: Travelzoo is doing a three-course dinner for two with drinks for $79 (regularly $184).

NYC foodie tip:

Keep an eye out for deals at Beautique and beyond on Gilt, Groupon or New York Deals. You can occasionally catch a deal for a very expensive restaurant that you otherwise couldn’t try!

Let me know if you go! @MaryinManhattan on Instagram and Twitter. Cheers.