Upland, Flatiron, NYC

My friend missed her plane from Miami, then her next flight was delayed. We would have re-scheduled — but this was the third time we had done so and were determined to dine together no matter what and catch up. When I called Upland to explain the situation, they were amazingly accommodating. We were able to dine when she finally arrived.

We started with their unusual Caesar salad with five varieties of lettuce including colorful thinly sliced Bordeaux radishes in a garlic anchovy vinaigrette ($17), their whole crispy hen of the woods mushroom, in a puddle of cloumage (creamy fresh hand-made cheese from Shy Brothers Farm in Massachusetts, $18) and their three crispy duck wings intensely flavored with lemon, olive oil and a paste of yuzu, chiles, and salt drops ($19). We oh, so wished there had been more than three wings! Yes, they were that good. — came with three – wished there were more

I had yielded to my friend’s desire to try the atypical pasta with chicken livers, as I had just made chopped chicken livers and recalled how much I like that. Why not try it with pasta? So glad we did as their pasta with chicken livers, sherry, rosemary and sage, topped with cheese hit the spot ($21).

I’d recommend a visit to Upland, chef Justin Smillie’s California-inspired cuisine in the Flatiron District.

– bonnie

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Upland
Flatiron District
345 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
(212) 686-1006

About the Author: Bonnie Tandy Leblang

Blogger Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been covering food since before it was hip to do so! She’s penned magazine, newspaper and syndicated food columns in addition to cookbooks. Follow her on twitter @BonnieBOTB and on Instagram@BiteoftheBest and at @BonnieBOTB "I eat for a living!” is her mantra, sharing what she’s sampled so you’ll know where (or where not) to go, plus what food products and gadgets to try. For her full bio go to the about us page.