Somehow it has been 8 years since I graduated from college. I do not know how this is possible, but we are in the stage when reunions are a thing! Happy to reunite, sad it ever ended, this past month, 4 gal pals from UCF and I came together at Claudette located in the West Village.
Claudette is a typical NYC restaurant in that it cares about its ambience. Every restaurant has its own flair but being picture-worthy or “Instagram-able” is important! This makes for an excellent scene to dine in but the food can be hit or miss. Worth it or way overrated. I’ve had both and somewhere in between, so was curious where Claudette’s would fall.
Let’s start with the drinks. Not necessarily pictured but worth noting, they were plentiful. I highly recommend their Pinot Noir. Always my go to so that is not very surprising, but it was just right in lightness and flavor. Bold enough to compliment a protein heavy meal but light enough to enjoy a few glasses without tiring of it. Friends ordered the spicy margaritas and were warned the spice might be too much. Ironically, complaints afterwards were that they were not spicy enough! But very pretty and tasty, they too allowed for consumption of quite a few.
Appetizers are my weakness. Rarely will I go to a restaurant without ordering one as well as wanting to have a couple as my main meal. I think it’s the part of me that picks at food and the part of me that wants to try a bit of everythinggg. Apps to share for 5 are hard though so the Shishido peppers were the only option. Not mad about it, they were great! Salty and earthy and probably well enjoyed with a margarita. Less easy to share, we also ordered the coconut crusted shrimp. You know when there is not an even amount of food and you end up staring at the last little bit? Not wanting to be the person that takes it and has more than everyone else but wanting it? I have a feeling that was every single one of us. Crispy, tangy sauce, and a hint of coconut flavor, these would be my go to next time.
And finally, the main. Pictured close up above is the Vegetable Tangine. “Couscous, provençal vegetables, and shakshuka”- three meals, one pan. I love it. This is the type of meal my Mediterranean, place everything in a bowl, mix foods, textures, and flavors self loves. Tangine is a Moroccan dish that is named after the clay pot it is served in. Cooking in a tangine allows all of the flavors to soak up thanks to the moisture trapping. This creates a flavor-dense meal (often stew type) that absorbs all of the wonderful foods and spices placed in it. Specifically here the fresh vegetables that were marinated just right. Not spicy but not lackluster, sweet potato, roasted tomatos, mushrooms combined with herbs soaked up in this tangine to create a delicious meal. One I would recommend ordering time and time again.
Portions I will say are not generous. Like many “nicer” restaurants, you expect the ~$25 price tag average and smaller portion, but that doesn’t mean you have to like it. Really hungry, I swallowed this down in less bites than I am willing to admit. But I blame a good part of that on the serving size. A hearty meal, it was filling nonetheless, and I would order again as the dish is not a simple one to make at home.
In the end, Claudette’s delighted, and was not just a restaurant for the scene. Great appetizers, a menu with a variety and delicious cocktails to match. Perfect spot for a reunion or West Village date night. I look forward to going back!
