Daniel Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 La Rural 768 Amsterdam Avenue (97th Street), (212) 749-2929. The three of us went to Dinner here last night.. Having been big fans of Pampa, we were really happy that the restaurant would be in the similar style.. We were not disappointed.. In fact, the place is still very similar to Pampa with some really nice improvements added.. From the menu to the new design of the room, everything has improved or has been kept as good. Things like the grill are the same, even down to the same man working the grill.. He can not really be missed, he is a large intimidating man.. But what really can't be missed is the skill and precision he has with the grill.. Things come out cooked perfectly to order, with a lovely char and crispness.. What this man does with sweetbreads, is beyond good.. The menu is varied.. Running from Pastas, salads, empanadas, appetizers from the grill, a whole page of small plates to start, and of course there wonderful meat selections.. It is going to take us a long time to go through the whole menu which, we will happily do.. Last night we started off with a couple of items.. We went with the one meat and one cheese empanada, grilled sweetbreads, grilled chorizo, and grilled provolone. I am huge fan of sweetbreads.. I often get them when a restaurant offers them, as well as preparing them at my home.. These are just fantastic.. The best grilled preparation in the city.. They must be pounded out and heavily salted.. The have this wonderful crispness, the snap of the crust leaves way to the juicy buttery meat.. Pampa's were awesome, and these are even better.. Served with a little lemon, or maybe some of there chimichurri sauce, oh baby.. Here are is the chorizo and empanadas.. The chorizo was wonderful.. Not flavored with the typical bright red paprika I am use to with Mexican or Portuguese chorizo.. They werent overly spicey, or compact.. The menu describes it as a traditional Argentine Sausage, they were really good.. The empanadas were just ok.. The shells were a little under fried .. The meat and cheese were kind of boring but, still a great vehicle for there wonderful chimmichurri sauce.. Everything else was so good it doesnt matter.. With this round of food, there was also the grilled provolone.. Very close to a queso fundido... Pretty straight forward, wonderfully melted cheese.. Went really well with the chorizo.. So there are other options and combinations you could choose from that section of the menu.. There was also grilled blood sausage and we hadnt even ordered off the whole first page of appetizers.. But first and foremost, this place knows what they are doing with meats.. We ordered the lamb, a wonderful salad, and the cauliflower croquettes.. Here is the lamb.. Beautifully done, medium rare, and so juicy.. As we were eating the lamb, some juice ran out and went on the serving plate.. The little one started dipping here meat in the juice and turns to us and asks if we can order a glass of the juice for her so she can drink it.. Really wonderful plate of lamb chops.. Price was 17 bucks.. Cauliflower croquettes are pretty wonderful.. Creamy cauliflower mixture breaded and deep fried.. Served with a suprisingly good tomato sauce.. Seriously makes me think there pastas are going to be good.. They serve Gnocci on the 29th of each month.. But they also have on the appetizer plate a malfatti dumpling that sounds would most likely be very good.. Something green to break up the rest of the meal.. Tres Verdes salad.. Watercress and Arugala salad with roasted figs, crispy prosciutto chips, parm, and roasted shallots.. A really wonderful salad.. For dessert we got dulce de leche crepes.. Whats not to love about cooked down condensed milk served in a sugary crepe.. So happy this place is here.. I will be a regular.. No liquor license yet.. Great place to go with a wonderful bottle of red.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liza Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 Drool. I think we may hit it tonight based solely on those photos. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Honestly, if I didnt have something to do tonight, I would most likely go back.. I feel something is missing because I didnt order the garlic fries.. Haha. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liza Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 How you managed to not order garlic fries is beyond me. I don't have that sort of inner strength. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 OTOH, I'm still wondering how you managed to handle dessert. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Posted December 27, 2007 Author Share Posted December 27, 2007 Miss K is uh, going through a growth spirt, so she is eating a lot more.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liza Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Daniel, thank you for the tout. We ordered pretty much what you all had. Those sweetbreads were delicious, with just a spritz of lemon. We had a side of broccoli rabe and the garlicy fries, too. I love how the meat was seasoned so well and how fresh the salads were. We're definitely going back. And they asked for the MF address, and I forewarned them to look at MFFood, and not just MF. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Posted December 28, 2007 Author Share Posted December 28, 2007 Thats great you went and I am happy you enjoyed it.. The prices are good and BYOB thing is great for right now.. Especially because I have 20 unopened bottles from Christmas.. Was it crowded when you went? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liza Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 It wasn't crowded, tho there was a party of about fifteen at one table. We're definitely going back in early January. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pingarina Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Ooohh, Daniel and Liza, I am all over that! I love Argentine food, and they have a way with sweetbreads. I must give La Rural a try soon. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Melonious Thunk Posted January 11, 2008 Share Posted January 11, 2008 La Rural 768 Amsterdam Avenue (97th Street), (212) 749-2929. The three of us went to Dinner here last night.. Having been big fans of Pampa, we were really happy that the restaurant would be in the similar style.. We were not disappointed.. In fact, the place is still very similar to Pampa with some really nice improvements added.. From the menu to the new design of the room, everything has improved or has been kept as good. /// So happy this place is here.. I will be a regular.. No liquor license yet.. Great place to go with a wonderful bottle of red.. Daniel, this place sounds great. I am planning to go soon with a bunch of people. How many will it take in a group comfortably. Will eight people work OK or is that a problem? TIA After reading Liza's post above, I see that will not be a problem. We may go up to 12 depending on last minute deciders. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Melonious Thunk Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Going tonight. I've a bottle of 1970 Leoville Barton and a 1967 Pomerol (La Croix de Gay) I did not open for New Year's. Should go good with that food! I plan to follow your lead, perhaps with somewhat fewer dishes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Melonious Thunk Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 Dinner here tonight. Moishes was so excited by the wine I brought, he volunteered to pour himself a taste. The '66 Pomerol was a bit over the hill, but the '70 Leoville Barton was spectacular. It stood up to the sweetbreads (excellent), Chorizo (also excellent) and the loin lamb chops, very good but too salty. The skirt steak was rich and tasty, the red snapper was declared very good, and the cauliflower croquettes were creamy and delicious. A meal of salad, chorizo, sweetbreads and croquettes would be perfect. The tab was $40 a head with tip. Excellent improvement over Pampas. We will be back. Thanks Daniel, for the heads-up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Daniel Posted January 13, 2008 Author Share Posted January 13, 2008 Wow, those were some serious wine choices... Glad you liked it, I need to go back there soon.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilfrid1 Posted January 14, 2008 Share Posted January 14, 2008 This is good news, as I have some appointments in that neighborhood coming up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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