David Burke fabrick at the Archer Hotel is DB’s best, most whimsical restaurant that I’ve sampled so far in Manhattan. I was invited there recently to taste his offerings, which included unusual presentations, in sharing-plate style. 
Don’t miss the unusual burrata salad ($18) that could be a meal in itself. It’s a large plate filled with roasted squash, variegated beets, roasted Mexican pumpkin seeds (pepitos), fresh figs and Burrata, all topped with prosciutto.
The thick-crusted mushroom flatbread with roasted ($15) maitake & oysters was ordinary, even topped with Gruyère, fresh arugula salad and mushroom sauce. The almost 2-inch thick cauliflower steak ($25) sitting in a puddle of coconut and cauliflower puree could have used more 
seasoning, but its accompanying lemon farro was irresistible and unusual especially topped with fried basil. What’s not to be missed are the three strips of black pepper maple-glazed bacon ($15) hanging with clothes pins from a line, served with pickled cucumber and carrot slices.
The lobster dumplings (5 for $16) are served over fresh coconut puree with a crispy green papaya salad and Thai basil.
I’d recommend the large portion ($25) of build-your-own angry tacos with a sizzling dish of both sautèed shrimp and octopus with six flour tortillas, pico de 
gallo, avocado purée and chipotle aioli. (Small portions have only 4 small tortillas and either the shrimp or octopus, $18).
Not as flavorful are the angry lobster BLTs, with that candied bacon, lettuce, tomato, lobster and chipotle mayo served on a fluffy white soft Chinese bread topped with fresh jalapeño slices.
Do save room for dessert. Wished we had had more time to finish enjoying the whimsical chocolate-handled chocolate-hazelnut Burke-n’ Bag ($14) with gianduja mousse, raspberry ganache and vanilla bean ice cream and the Frozen Yogurt Banana Split ($12) with peanut brittle, fudge brownie and a strawberry-rhubarb compote.
We scooped up little bites of these amazing desserts and rushed out to the curtain call for Donald Margulies’ new play The Country House, with Blythe Danner at the Manhattan Theatre Club.
Playwright Donald Margulies told me that he’s used the country house setting before as part of his Pulitzer-winning play “Dinner With Friends” which is set in Martha’s Vineyard.
“It’s as old as Chekhov, to bring people together at a country retreat… They’re hothouses basically, (because of) close proximity and the containment of passions and secrets. It becomes combustible.”
– bonnie
Follow @BonnieBOTB
David Burke fabrick at the Archer Hotel
Midtown West
47 West 38th Street
(between 5th and 6th Avenues)
New York, NY 10018
212-302-3838
Leave A Comment