Ever since I first saw Avenues Proper, located on 376 8th Avenue, I’ve been intrigued. It seemed to be a beautiful, rustic restaurant, and there were always people there. It wasn’t until last Saturday that I was able to finally try it.
When I first walked in, I was greeted by the hostess, who said the wait for two would be about 15 minutes. This wasn’t too surprising, considering we had chosen to eat at 7:30 p.m., one of the busiest times for restaurants. We walked over to a countertop decorated with wooden planters containing varieties of cacti and sat down on the barstools to wait. Having a place to sit made the wait go by much faster. The modern decor added a pleasant twist to the rustic atmosphere.
What impressed me most about Avenues Proper was the service. Once we sat down, we were immediately handed menus and asked for our drink orders. Our waitress returned in the perfect amount of time to ask if we were ready to order. The arrival of our food was timely, and the waitress was friendly. The manager even stopped by to make sure we were satisfied with our orders.
The food was delicious. I ordered the steak frites, cooked medium. It was cooked exactly as I wanted it: red, but not too red. And it was seasoned to perfection. The fries were fantastic as well. They weren’t greasy, but neither were they bland. Because the steak was presented on top of the fries, the sauce and butter from the steak melted onto the fries, making them even more savory. The beautiful presentation wasn’t unique to the steak frites. Each plate looked elegantly delectable.
The only drawback to Avenues Proper is the portion size. Though the restaurant serves primarily American food, the portion sizes are more European — they are rather small. This wasn’t too much of a problem, however, as it is reasonably priced. I am definitely planning on returning. If you choose to patron the establishment, I recommend the steak frites and trying the fries. Avenues Proper turns two years old this year and is hosting what is sure to be a memorable event on Sunday, April 26. With limited seating, you’ll need to reserve a spot, and with a five-course tasting menu and optional beer parings, this is one event any foodie worth their salt won’t want to miss.
@ChronyArts