Not only has the recent spell of despicably cold weather nipped at my already chapped extremities, but it’s also induced a paralyzing idleness when it comes to eating. I’ve become an Atkins nightmare. I’ll settle for instant polenta and peanut butter Puffins any day if it saves me from leaving my apartment to be consumed by the howling winds.
My parents offered to take me out to a belated birthday dinner this past Wednesday. Free food and wine? Yes, please. Keeping the above-mentioned agoraphobia in mind, I booked a table at The Stanton Social since it’s located on my block. And no, Whitney Port’s dinner date there a couple weeks ago on MTV’s The City did not influence this decision (though I am embarrassed to have seen a full episode of that show).

The candle-lit dining room is populated by yuppie thirty-somethings who’ve got money to burn at a trendy bar. Dark woods, stacked wine bottles, and white brick walls decorate the handsome interior. Organized tapas-style, the menu’s small portions are ideal for group sharing. It features innovative, New American dishes, from French onion soup dumplings to Kobe beef sliders. Here’s the rundown of what we ordered, from my favorite to least favorite plates: braised short rib soft tacos ($19), mushroom & goat cheese grilled pizzetta ($14), red snapper tacos ($10), French onion soup dumplings ($11), wasabi pea-crusted salmon ($15), and parmesan, prosciutto, and potato croquettes ($10). Other than the bland croquettes, every dish was a winner. Both taco dishes were packed with flavor and textural variety, and the pizzetta was simple, crisp, and mildly tangy from the goat cheese. The soup dumplings were tasty and creative, yet the onion-stuffed centers were a bit too sweet for me.

For dessert, we were territorial and gluttonous and ordered our dishes individually. I got the apple turnover ($10), which was flaky and accompanied by a dollop of cinnamon-flavored ice cream. Not to hate on the sweetness again, but I would have liked if the apples were more on the tart side. I was also too stuffed and satisfied for my mouth to discern tastes any more.

All in all, the dinner was a great success. The staff was friendly and service was quick, the food was varied and delicious, and the décor was attractive. Instead of being full from one dish, I was able to sample eight. And luckily my parents were footing the bill, because my birthday checks would never have covered the steep price.

Photo from Flickr