Castello Rave

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Congratulations to Ben and Natasha for the very well deserved love from the New York Times:

Jacques Cortelyou, the 17th-century creator of Manhattan’s first map, called the Castello Plan, was also a real estate developer. He would be pleased with the attractive dining scene that has evolved along the street bearing his name. One of Cortelyou Road’s most appealing additions is this wine bar named after his famous survey.

The menu guides you through a series of delicious small plates. Start with a bright seasonal salad: sweet, chive-strewn potatoes ($5); cucumbers in crème-fraîche dill dressing ($5); or shredded cabbage, tossed in sesame oil and pickled ginger ($7).

A meander through the very good Italian charcuterie includes fiery coppa, earthy wild boar cacciatorini and a fennel-enriched soppressata (1 for $6; 3 for $15; 5 for $24).

Except for the lusty rabbit and truffled yam open-faced sandwich ($12), most of the entrees are petite and carefully composed: a stack of duck confit with tart apples would be an improvement on Thanksgiving’s main course ($11); a “cake” of chilled crab meat is nearly overwhelmed by its sweet-salty tobiko topping ($9).

Even better are the crostini ($7 each), particularly the fat smoked sprats and boiled quail eggs on toasts slathered in turmeric mayonnaise. Greasy, bold and comforting, it is great food for the quirky, fun wine list on which a dangerously quaffable txakoli and an oaky, chilled blend of carignan and grenache share billing with an Austrian rosé that is steely and as green as wheat-grass juice….

Lusty rabbit!

- Ben

Tags: restaurant reviews, The Castello Plan
See All: Food & Drink

sammy

Did Ben post that review about himself or are there two Bens?
http://www.ditmasparkblog.com Ben

Two Bens!
Dncmilch

We’re stuck in a Ben feedback loop!
Chris

OK, I’ll break the Ben feedback loop. I had dinner at the Castello Plan on monday, and while I do think they need to continue to evolve their concept, I heartily agree with the Times when they say the place is not self-conscious in it’s “throwback” concept.

There are so, so many new bars and restaurants doing the prohibition-era thing these days, with fancy mustaches and old time cocktails… it all feels very forced to me. That’s what I like about the Castello Plan. It is completely of its neighborhood. Unfussy, un-self conscious, focused on doing good work. I know some long time residents might bristle at a wine bar being “of the neighborhood” but I mean that in a very respectful way. It’s not flashy, it’s just good. This city could use more of that.

Also, the owners seem to be really paying attention to feedback. In the several times I’ve been there since they opened, each time I’ve noticed that they’ve corrected for something that was not working (confusing wine list, too many choices, bigger portions, etc.)

And they’re friendly. Good for them! Well deserved.
Yas

My husband and I really enjoyed a breezy evening there a few weeks agao. Lovely atmosphere, service, drinks, crostini and cucumber salad. We will be going back a lot!
http://www.Ninatalbot.com Nina

Just wanted to let locals know there have been a few backyard robberies recently this past week-end. I had six Japanese koi stolen from my backyard pond. The water was all drained out, & the fish (which I’ve had for five years) were gone. When I filed a police report, I was told that there were at least two other reports of backyard theft that included items such as gardening tools, a hose, & more. Keep your eyes open…
Tomato stolen

I had a nice red tomato stolen, and I left it on the vine to ripen. I also had a pre-mature eggplant taken. Anyone seen with tomato pits on their face, please report back to me ASAP.
J

It’s probably little critters… or bigger critters like raccoons and opossums. A friend of mine planted 3 big berry bushes and she successfully harvested 8 berries this year! The rest were eaten *just before* they were ready for harvest (squirrels and birds aren’t as picky).
A-Train

we had a nice garbage can stolen from outside the house. It is now chained and locked.
sea

A question about Castello Plan, does anyone know if they do take out? My wife and I were given a gift certificate but we have an 18 month old and she is pregnant so no wine. The entrees sound great.
Jimmy James

Sea,

I don’t mean to be judgmental but 18 months old is extremely young to be pregnant. In any event congratulations on becoming a grandparent.
KAB

Congrats to Castello’s Plan. I went there once so far and the small plates were perfectly portioned. Looking forward to a trip back to try some of their other treats…
Jimmy

Perfectly portioned?

The cheese plate was measured in micrograms.

Great tasting stuff, but the place is a bit expensive to merit more than the very occasional visit.
Amaunet

They’re small plates. The cheese plate is perfectly adequate if you are not trying to make an entire meal out of it. Castello Plan is amazing!
thelisbonplane

After much reading about The Castello Plan on this and other blogs, My wife and I finally made it there last night. I heartily second all the positive comments made here. I can’t believe we have a place like this in our nabe. They even had live music! We sat at the bar, and I had a chance watch the chefs in action. They appear to be professionally trained, their plating skills are exemplary, no chaos even in the small space they have to work in. Nice wine selection, great service. Keep up the good work, Ben – see you again soon.
maryhada

my only critique of Castello is that I feel I’m seeing all their dirty laundry when the are brigning up customer’s food via the sidewalk basement entrance. I don’t want to see backstage when I’m eating out.

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