
Eating at Eats, and Loving It
When you see a food place that for the most part looks like your average corner restaurant, you’d probably go in expecting regular fast-food-like offerings. But when a recognized food authority like Timeout.com hails that place as the best in anything, one is bound to have high expectations. Very high expectations.
We walked into “Eats on Lex” with exactly that. Eats is located on Lexington Avenue, in the Upper East Side of New York. One of the first things I noticed was the array of windows letting in much natural light. It also allows one a full view of the bustling street outside. I thought the place would be a good place to dine in especially at night. But really, after I got a taste of the menu, I realized it would be a perfect eat-out place anytime of the day.
Eats is primarily a burger destination, but there’s a wide variety of other things you can order. They have shrimp atop fresh salad greens, as well as oysters and mussels.
The Dining Experience
Eats grills its burgers as the customers order them, so there’s a bit of wait time before I can dig in. This is usually the time when the waitress sets some sort of complimentary bread on the table. Usually, it’s the good old, toasted and garlicky affair. Eats does a different take, and I was amazed by the bean spread that was served. Eats already sets itself apart from its peers, and that doesn’t even count the main course yet.
Eats further stands out with its “Dry-Aged Steak Burger”. At first I was curious about the name. Why would you want to advertise your burger as “dry”? Also, “aged” sounds good on wine, but doesn’t sound too appetizing on a patty. Boy, was I wrong.
After a little research, I found out that a dry-aged piece of beef is one that has been left to dry for weeks. What’s more, the process of dry-aging can only be done in high-grade beef. That’s because the meat has to contain evenly-distributed meat and fat content in order for it to be dry-aged successfully. That’s why these kinds of meat are only available in high-end groceries and butcher shops. Dry-aged beef is a lot tastier and more tender than the regular kind — perfect for a burger! Eats offers dry-aged steak burger for $15, which I say is a good deal.
While the burger was the highlight (and my personal favorite), it wasn’t by far the only amazing part of our meal. There’s also the Brandy Glazed Chicken Livers, whose sumptuous and zesty flavors were perfectly balanced by the mixed greens. The Seared Ahi Tuna & Avocado BLT was also a refreshing take on the classic burger, and was perfectly complemented by the garlic aioli’s solid flavor.
And of course, the oysters! I love oysters, and the fried ones that Eats on Lex had were perfectly to my taste. Like all other lunch items, they were served with mixed greens. For a slightly more exotic taste, there’s there’s the excellent-tasting ceviche.
Salad and dessert galore
Customer can order different kinds of salad, such as the kale salad with pear, cheese, and shrimp toppings. This was what we had, and it was a great bookend to the meal. The shrimps here aren’t the reheated kind — they’re still fresh and steaming when served. Unlike other restaurants, Eats serves a hefty amount of toppings for a satisfying experience.
Eats makes it a point to serve everything with panache, from their burgers to the salad and even the desert. Even the drinks had a level of simple artisticness in them. My favorite was the espresso martini, which looked more like dessert than anything else. There’s also the apple-spiced martini which was a close second in my book.
Outside the meals
The service is also top-notch. The waiters were very attentive and efficient. I also learned that happy hour in this establishment goes farther than the usual two-hour limit in other New York places. During these times, the bar can get so crowded that people going together might have difficulty finding adjacent seats. Also, you can only get the happy hour specials (like the $1 oysters) when at the bar itself.
Overall, the place isn’t really something you will visit if what you’re after is a striking ambience or a first-class setting. Eats on Lex will deliver great food and great service at a competitive price, and that’s what they capitalize on. The place is clean and accommodating with a good ambience. And isn’t that really all that’s important for a great meal?
Details
1055 Lexington Avenue, New York
That food looks amazing. This is exactly the type of place that I love to go to eat.
That restaurant is absolutely awesome. Even the salad looks amazing, and I’m not even a salad person!
Oh yeah, the Kale salad was really good.
That food looks amazing. The oysters are calling my name. I must go there with the fam!
Ohhhhhh, I love oysters.
I love the portion sizes of your meals. And the size of those shrimp are making me drool! Looks like you had some fantastic eats
My husband is OBSESSED with good burgers, so I will have to see if he has ever heard of dry aging. No matter what, when we finally visit NY, we are definitely going to Eats on Lex!
Eats on Lex sounds like an awesome place to eat. My whole family loves a good burger!
Oh, then your family will love this definitely.
This seems like a super yummy food spot. I am a sucker for fresh seafood and that burger sounds amazing!
You and I both.
Oh yum, I’ve never had dry-aged beef like that. I’d be pretty excited to try one of their burgers! It’s nice that they had such great service.
I am always wondering where to eat when I visit the city! I will have to keep this in mind because it looks delicious!
It doesn’t just look delicious, it is delicious. Have fun 🙂
Looks like my kind of place. I like that you mentioned the top notch service… equally as important as the food in my book!
They have impeccable service so that will play well with you then 🙂
Wow, everything sounds so scrumptious! If we get to the city, I’m planning a trip within our first few days there. And, A+ on the service!
Eats looks like a fantastic place to eat. I will have to check it out the next time I am in the area.
Yum! I love sneaking out for a fun meal with my husband, and Eats on Lex looks like the perfect place to do that. I know he’d love the burgers.
Those food made me hungry! I need to check that restaurant out! 😀
Yum! This place sounds so good!
Those are some tasty looking meals. I will have to remember to check them out sometime. Their name sure does say it all!
How do I live in Brooklyn and don’t know about Eats On Lex? I know where I am eating this weekend!
I love New York! I have only been there a couple of times but I want to go back so bad! And the great food is definitely a reason why.
Yum! Your entire meal looks amazing. I am loving those drinks!
All of this food looks amazing. I would love to give them a try.