As I was wandering around the Lower East Side on Friday night, in search of a culinary destination, I passed by The Orchard. This is a restaurant I have read about, and decided to dine there.

I was told it was BYOB, and although I had spent the whole fashion week drinking, and told myself just to order coke, I pursuaded myself to go across the street and buy a bottle of wine (a great $11 red) for myself.

I sat at a table of four by myself. The dining room is casual and modern. The lighting is brightly dim, if that makes sense; almost orange. It was a large square room, which made me think of it like a fancied cafeteria. It looked good though.

I wasn't too hungry but did want to try some dishes. They have a nice selection of flatbreads, and I went with the Braised Short Rib flatbread with marinated cherry tomatoes and sweet horseradish cream ($12). It was excellent and delicious.

I also had an entree of Butternut Squash Agnolotti with brown butter, sage and toasted hazlenuts ($22). The dish was sweet, and was definitely an autumn/winter dish. But, it was still very good.

I felt obligated to try a dessert, and went with the Orchard Chocolate cake with dark chocolate outside, warm milk chocolate inside, and mascarpone whipped cream. This was a great dessert, especially for a chocolate lover. I dont know how they did it, but the inside was really warm, and delicious. The marscapone whipped cream was the best whipped cream I have ever had in my life-deliciously perfect!

The Orchard is definitely a place I'd like to go back to and try all of their dishes. I definitely recommend this place!

The Orchard

162 Orchard Street (between Stanton and Rivington)

New York, NY 10002