Earlier this summer, I had the chance to have dinner at Daniel Boulud's 10th restaurant (DBGB) in its opening week. This one is much more down-market than his flagship Daniel restaurant, and is aimed squarely at sausages/beer/brasserie-style dining, drawing heavily from his native Lyon.
The ambience does not disappoint, and the kitchen manages to pull off some wonderful dishes with what could be pedestrian fare in less-capable hands. The wine list is well-stocked with sturdy reds and food-friendly whites, but the beer list was what really stood out. I started the meal with a Flemish sour-cherry beer that was unlike anything I have ever had before; it was a great aperitif, though became a bit too much by the end of the pint.
As for the food, we sampled several sausages (and went back for seconds on one ...). The Beaujolaise was a pork-bacon-mushroom delight on a bed of lentils, and the Tunisienne nicely blended the bold flavors of lamb, harissa and mint that balanced the spinach and chickpeas on the side. The Toscane was a bit of a disappointment however; the flat, circular shape and somewhat dry texture reminded me more of a breakfast sausage than the juicy flavor-packed monsters you get at any weekend street fair.
The star of the night, however, was the Boudin Basque - a spicy blood sausage served over scallion mashed potatoes, and one of those rare treats that demanded a second helping!
I managed to get a picture with Daniel himself on the way out - somewhat blurry after all the food and drink but hey ...
