The Den is almost hidden in the back of the first floor of the newly opened Hyatt Herald Square. I was invited
to sample their simple menu, offering seasonal items in three sharing sizes.
If you arrive during happy hour, the house wines (Canvas, Napa Valley) are only $5 a glass. We sipped that Cabernet Sauvignon as we nibbled some stinky Brooklyn cheese ($12) — Kunik, Walton Umber and Ewe’s Blue — served with cherry jam and sesame crisps, not the menu stated cranberry walnut bread. We were glad they had none of the bread, as the crisps were a perfect complement to the cheese.
That same cranberry walnut bread was supposed to accompany the shaved Brussels sprouts and Granny Smith apple salad ($11) tossed with a light garlic mayo. Again, we 
were happy with grilled toast points served instead.
Don’t miss their creamy risotto — green from the added watercress — topped with roasted wild mushrooms and parmesan shavings. Order that as a vegetarian entree ($16) or as an accompaniment to pan-seared wild salmon ($23) with orange-braised endive. Another vegetarian option are their potato gnocchi with butternut squash and baby spinach. Those dumplings were a bit too dense for my liking. But the Brussels sprouts loaded with caramelized onions ($5) were almost like eating candle.
A great place to meet a friend for a drink and have a nosh.
– bonnie
The Den
Hyatt Herald Square
52 W 31st St
New York, NY 10001
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