EXKi — whose roots began in Brussels (Belgium) and whose name a play on the French word for exquisite — recently opened their doors on Park Avenue and 20th Street.
EXKi is similar to quick-casual restaurant Pret a Manager but offers lots more. Both fill their shelves with fresh food and have hot offerings but EXKi has many more cutesy named selections that include hot tarts, oven roasted items, one pot dishes and even libations (wine and beer). I stopped by recently before they opened 
their doors for business and sampled their fresh fare.
Do try “kitchen works,” a cup filled with halved shrimp (making them easier to eat), diced apple and cucumber all in a refreshing curry emulsion ($7.25).
I found their “mom’s recipe” ($6.75) sandwich of Swiss cheese, shredded apples and cucumber quite bland, screaming for seasoning or just some mustard, as its menu stated mustard emulsion was no where to be found. I liked their vegetable tart wedge (think quiche), packed with an assortment of veggies and the la Monaco tart with eggplant, tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, onion, garlic, dill seed, cilantro and parsley ($7.75 each).
If you’re a beet lover, do try the oven roasted “beet power” ($9.50) baked with Vermont goat cheese, onions and an egg, all topped with hazelnuts! It’s a meal in itself.
Another of my favorites is the “our world” entree salad ($10.00). It’s a hearty blend of roasted free range chicken with quinoa, raisins and lots of romaine in a curry coconut dressing. You’ll get a workout shaking it to blend the ingredients before eating. But it’s worth it.
Also tasty are the large oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies ($3.50) in the jar by the cash register, so you see them while you’re still hungry. Smart marketing.
It’s great place for a flavorful nutritious quick bite. Give it a try.
– bonnie
EXKi
Gramercy/Flatiron
257 Park Avenue South
(@ 20th Street
New York, NY 10010
929.236.3954
www.EXKiNYC.com
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