The lounge on the fourth floor of the new Yotel hotel — around the corner from Theatre Row — pays homage to both eastern and western cooking of Chef Bradley Day.  I was invited to stop by and sample the sharable fare, most of which I highly recommend.

We started with their East and West wings: the abundant spicy honey fried crispy chicken wings with a mustard dip ($6) and the skewered Korean kalbi chicken wings pickled carrot and scallion ($6), the latter was a bit too salty. The hearty portion of the housemade kettle potato chips come with a cooling warm bleu cheese dip ($5). A good nibble with one of their specialty cocktails.

I suggest the crispy shrimp dynamite (East) in a bowl shredded lettuce drizzled with chili mayo and sprinkled with scallions ($9), over the spicy barbecued shrimp (West) served in a cast-iron ramekin in a tomatoey broth plus some garlic bread ($10). The four skewered tori dango chicken meatballs in a crispy rice crust were accompanied by a spicy dip ($10).  I recommend the pork & ginger gyoza served with a sweet Thai chili sauce ($10), available both steamed and fried.

Since all serves we spoke with at the restaurant raved about the poached hake ($15), we had to try it. Fork tender and moist served in a puddle of sweet pea purée and drizzled with a champagne cream. I also recommend. We also tried the hearty portion of the roasted beets with housemade burrata topped with candied spiced walnuts and drizzled with a balsamic glaze.

We had fun sipping our way through many of the east-west creations of mixologist Steve Magliano. For those who don’t like the taste of liquor, try the Countess as it’s more cucumber than anything else. It’s made with Hangar One vodka, muddled cucumber, rose water & lemon ($13).

I liked the Drunken Raisin with Belvedere vodka infused golden raisin, cocchi americano, yellow chartreuse & lemon ($13) and the Paddington punch with Appleton estate rum, orange marmalade, cinnamon & lime ($12) served on the rocks.  Loved the use of the giant large ice cube to not dilute the Coca Maya, made with Patrón silver tequila, Kai Young coconut shochu, Amaro Cociaro, cacao nibs & mole bitters, with the glass was rimmed in salt & ancho pepper ($13).

A great place to by before or after theatre on West 42!

– bonnie

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East & West at Club Lounge
YOTEL New York at Times Square West
570 Tenth Avenue (@ 42nd Street)
New York, NY 10036
646-449-7790
East & West at Club Lounge on Urbanspoon