We are in a state of emergency in NYC due to Hurricane Sandy. The city is largely shut down, and understandably, most restaurants in the downtown area—and throughout the city—are closed. Given the circumstances, there aren’t many options for food. Last night, I went to Federal Cafe with a colleague for dinner.
We started with a calamari dish, which I found quite bland. It lacked the usual flavors and textures I expect from a good calamari. That said, considering the emergency situation, this might have been a one-time issue, but I’m not sure. We also shared a Caesar salad, which seemed fresh and had decent flavor.
For the main course, I ordered the grilled rib eye. The dish was fairly mild in flavor, and the meat was quite greasy and fatty. The mashed potatoes that came with it were surprisingly neutral in taste, and the spinach was coated in oil and garlic, with a noticeable garlic flavor. My colleague had the chicken picatta, which had flavor but leaned toward a stronger sourness.
I’m not certain if these dishes were affected by the weather-related challenges or if this reflects the restaurant’s usual quality. Overall, I wasn’t very impressed and probably wouldn’t choose to eat here unless options were limited. On a positive note, the staff were friendly and welcoming. Given how the meal went, I didn’t try dessert.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens. Please take note of a post’s date. The views I express here are subject to change and evolving as I grow and learn.
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