Wild Cherry is one of those super-hyped, impossible-to-reserve hot spots that, if you're lucky enough to actually get a reservation, you always wonder if it can possibly live up to the hype. In this case, the answer is YES.
Wild Cherry is hidden away behind a curtain in the austere, dimly-lit lobby of the Cherry Lane Theater, and once those curtains part, it's almost like Dorothy walking out of sepia-toned Kansas and into Technicolored Oz. The plushly-appointed room hums with activity and excitement, yet somehow manages to remain "intimate" rather than "cramped" (the small but beautifully-designed space holds only twelve tables, and an equal number of bar seats).
We were given a wonderful table in the middle of the room, and promptly served complimentary "bubbles" in the form of a lovely sparkling rosé. From there it was on to perfectly mixed martinis; a standard vodka one for me, the special House Dirty Martini for my friend, with the additional brininess of an oyster shell. (You'll just have to try it for yourselves!)
Our appetizers consisted of the Frogs Legs Kiev, drumsticks of crispy frogs' legs filled with melted garlic butter, which bursts in your mouth in the same way a proper Chicken Kiev achieves a perfect spurt of butter when cut into; and the Chicken Liver Mousse, its richness nicely balanced by a very light port wine glaze and, even better, delicious cornichons.
My main course was the Kielbasa & Kraut, a hefty plate of exactly what it sounds like, accompanied by good, strong mustard. The kielbasa was one of the best sausages I've ever tasted: it had juiciness, savoriness, saltiness, slight spiciness, and even some crispness from the perfectly taut, browned casing. I rarely finish everything on my plate these days. I did with this. My friend ordered the burger, which is already gaining a reputation as a contender for Best In Town, upon which he bestowed his ultimate compliment: "Simply Divoon!"
Sleeper item: I inquired about "Lani's Greens" from the sides section, and I'm glad I did -- it turned out to be the most savory, well-seasoned tangle of sautéed spinach and broccoli rabe that I've had in a long time, and it counteracted the rich unctuousness of the other menu items beautifully.
For dessert, we shared the infamous, Instagram-ready slab of coconut cake, which really did taste as good as it looked, which is certainly not always, or even usually, the case with such "viral" dishes.
We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and couldn't have been more pleased with the warm welcome (we bow to the fabulous Gabrielle), thoughtful service (we're looking at you, Marcus), expert cocktails, satisfying food, glamorous decor, and fun vibe -- I can't recall any other time in recent memory when we've not only struck up lively conversation with a neighboring table, but also wound up sharing plates with these new friends. You really can't ask for a more fun New York dinner experience than that! read more