BXL Zoute: You Need Muscles For These Mussels
If you're looking for a new date place to try in the city, BXL Zoute is definitely a great choice (Still accommodates non-dates and groups very well). It's different. It's fun. The service is friendly and attentive. The food is great. And most importantly, they have a great beer selection. BEER. This is the key to my heart. Actually... there are many keys to my heart, including wine, foie gras, sushi, steak, burgers, and panna cotta, to name a few. Take notes, friends.
Building off what I said earlier, BXL Zoute is great for any occasion. They have a decent number of stools at the bar for those chill bro talks. There's an ample seating area outside and by the entrance in case of good weather. They also have a long row of two-seaters inside the restaurant. And, they have a big table in the back for larger groups. The atmosphere is casual upscale (if that makes any sense). It's very well-designed and clean... like my perfectly chiseled body. You're welcome.
Overall, I enjoyed and I intend to come back. By the way, Mondays and Sundays are all-you-can-eat mussels.
Address: 50 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
Recommended:
Croquettes aux crevettes: Shrimp croquettes with north sea prawns
Cheese and Charcuterie
Thailandaise Moules Frites Coconut milk, lemongrass, and curry
Marinieres Moules Frites: White wine and shallot broth
Gratin Dauphinois: Sliced potatoes and cream
Bouchee a la Reine: Creamy chicken stew with bacon and fries
Carbonnades Flammandes: Sirloin tips and Leffe Brown stew with fries
Saumon Roti: Roasted salmon with leeks and potatoes
FOOD. BXL Zoute's specialty is their mussels. My friend Jenny and I ordered the Thailandaise mussels (in coconut milk, lemongrass, and curry) and the Marinieres mussels (in a white wine and shallot broth). Both were very tasty. I preferred the Thailandaise. That broth was unreal. Our main objection was that there were too many mussels in proportion to the broth, which meant that the mussels at the top of the pot had too little flavor. Once we were able to clear more of the mussels, we were able to dunk the mussels in the broth to strengthen the flavor. Some of them were a bit too small but, in the end, we were still full because the 2 pounds of mussels also came with a bowl of fries. Not bad.
For drinks, Jenny ordered a glass of rose. And, I got the Houblon Chouffe Belgian Triple IPA because I didn't know how to pronounce it, and thus, it must be legit. It came in a Houblon Chouffe tulip glass (the proper way to serve Belgian ales and IPAs). The tulip glass supports a larger foamy head to enhance volatiles, which accentuates the beer's aroma. The beer was very good. I've never tried it before my visit to BXL Zoute. It was hoppy (less bitter than expected but it still provided a lasting finish). It also had a spicy but sweet aroma.
Lastly, I'd like to introduce Jenny Li, fellow blogger and my very first friend at NYU (when we were deciding between the same two universities). She enjoys sharing her thoughts and opinions about marketing, product design, and brand strategy on her site, 0hjennily. She's also passionate about New York street art. You can follow her here: @nyc_streetz.