the restaurant in the shadows
In the shadows of the Empire State Building there lays a restaurant by the name of Jack Dempsey’s. This establishment is what I can only call “A Hole in the Wall.”
Being in New York City for the second time in my short life, I was excited to do something other than sight-see. I had already done the clichés my first trip, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, and museum after museum. I was ready to move onto the unseen part of the Big Apple. I like to prepare for trips like these by finding a few key places where I know I want to go. Right before my own trip, a few of the vloggers I watch on YouTube were in New York. I sat and watched in awe as they fully indulged in their trip, and not just in the sights, but in the food. Watching these people, I realized that a trip is not just in what you do, but what you eat as well. As I left home in the early hours of the morning, a new excitement was going through me.
When we finally got there, I was not afraid to indulge. In fact, I went crazy with food lust. My family (my mother, my brother, and his girlfriend) all took turns on who got to choose where we went. Our tastes varied greatly, so we ended up going to places like Applebee’s, Ursino, and even the favorite burger joint of Broadway actors, Shake Shack (my choice). Each of these places I tried something new and exotic that I wouldn't typically orders. The meals were all good, but there was one restaurant where the meal was fantastic! My brother chose a small pub called Jack Dempsey's, and this is where this amazing meal took place.
As soon as we walked through the door, we were no longer in New York, but a small comfy pub that you would see in the UK. The cramped quarters, wood furniture, and smell of fish and beer made you truly feel as if you were in England or Ireland. There was even the stereotypical guys arguing about different soccer teams. New York was long gone in this place. After we sat ourselves, a waitress came over to take our drink orders and we were surprised to hear her speak in an Irish accent! Talk about authentic. The feelings of a pub were wonderfully tangible all around.
After a shockingly short wait, once our orders were in, our food was there in front of us. My brother ordered his favorite traditional meal of fish and chips. He even went as far as to soak his chips in malt vinegar, a taste I have yet to acquire. He would go on to order Shepherd's Pie as well for his dessert. My mother ordered a steak burger cooked medium-well and also chips. She, like me, does not like the taste of malt vinegar. I ordered the least English/Irish food I could have ordered: Portobello stuffed ravioli in a light sauce.
From the first bite to last, I was in absolute culinary heaven. This was the greatest ravioli I have ever had to this day. The mushrooms did not over power the sauce and vice versa. Topped with a light layer of cheese, the flavors all complimented each other in such a way, I felt like it was a crime to swallow; I wish I could have just kept it resting on my tongue. Then I had some of the Shepherd's Pie, and like the ravioli, it was a masterpiece of cooking. Mashed potatoes, beef, gravy, and vegetables. Who knew such an odd combination would make such a tasteful dish. While it could be eaten as a full meal, it made a perfect dessert to a perfect meal.
Jack Dempsey's was easily the restaurant where I had the greatest meal of that trip and one of the greatest meals of my life. They gave me a meal I will never forget, therefore; this place gets a 10 out of 10 in my book. If you are ever in the Big Apple, make an effort stop by. You will not regret going into this Hole in the Wall. Who knows, you may even have the best meal you've ever had. Just be brave and eat.
Being in New York City for the second time in my short life, I was excited to do something other than sight-see. I had already done the clichés my first trip, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, and museum after museum. I was ready to move onto the unseen part of the Big Apple. I like to prepare for trips like these by finding a few key places where I know I want to go. Right before my own trip, a few of the vloggers I watch on YouTube were in New York. I sat and watched in awe as they fully indulged in their trip, and not just in the sights, but in the food. Watching these people, I realized that a trip is not just in what you do, but what you eat as well. As I left home in the early hours of the morning, a new excitement was going through me.
When we finally got there, I was not afraid to indulge. In fact, I went crazy with food lust. My family (my mother, my brother, and his girlfriend) all took turns on who got to choose where we went. Our tastes varied greatly, so we ended up going to places like Applebee’s, Ursino, and even the favorite burger joint of Broadway actors, Shake Shack (my choice). Each of these places I tried something new and exotic that I wouldn't typically orders. The meals were all good, but there was one restaurant where the meal was fantastic! My brother chose a small pub called Jack Dempsey's, and this is where this amazing meal took place.
As soon as we walked through the door, we were no longer in New York, but a small comfy pub that you would see in the UK. The cramped quarters, wood furniture, and smell of fish and beer made you truly feel as if you were in England or Ireland. There was even the stereotypical guys arguing about different soccer teams. New York was long gone in this place. After we sat ourselves, a waitress came over to take our drink orders and we were surprised to hear her speak in an Irish accent! Talk about authentic. The feelings of a pub were wonderfully tangible all around.
After a shockingly short wait, once our orders were in, our food was there in front of us. My brother ordered his favorite traditional meal of fish and chips. He even went as far as to soak his chips in malt vinegar, a taste I have yet to acquire. He would go on to order Shepherd's Pie as well for his dessert. My mother ordered a steak burger cooked medium-well and also chips. She, like me, does not like the taste of malt vinegar. I ordered the least English/Irish food I could have ordered: Portobello stuffed ravioli in a light sauce.
From the first bite to last, I was in absolute culinary heaven. This was the greatest ravioli I have ever had to this day. The mushrooms did not over power the sauce and vice versa. Topped with a light layer of cheese, the flavors all complimented each other in such a way, I felt like it was a crime to swallow; I wish I could have just kept it resting on my tongue. Then I had some of the Shepherd's Pie, and like the ravioli, it was a masterpiece of cooking. Mashed potatoes, beef, gravy, and vegetables. Who knew such an odd combination would make such a tasteful dish. While it could be eaten as a full meal, it made a perfect dessert to a perfect meal.
Jack Dempsey's was easily the restaurant where I had the greatest meal of that trip and one of the greatest meals of my life. They gave me a meal I will never forget, therefore; this place gets a 10 out of 10 in my book. If you are ever in the Big Apple, make an effort stop by. You will not regret going into this Hole in the Wall. Who knows, you may even have the best meal you've ever had. Just be brave and eat.