It turns out PJ Clarke’s at Lincoln Center heralded an appetizing turn for the UWS that’s strewn with crummy cafes and ethnic eateries. Bar Boulud and 81, by Daniel Boulud and Ed Brown (of Sea Grill at Rock Center fame) respectively, will be launched in the fall.
We’ve been to the Lincoln Center PJ, a sister of the storied original at 3rd Ave. & 55th, couple times. The first, the oysters were great but a tough and hard-to-chew Reuben that set us back for $10.90? Not worth a repeat. Second time, the Smoked Trout Salad was great except a rotten tomato piece; the Key Lime pie was a perfect finish. Do the pricey burgers make up for the dearth of good burgers on the UWS? If this burger buff is any guide, they leaves much to be desired.
PJ’s On the Hudson overlooks the Statue Of Liberty and North Cove Yacht Harbor, if you’re into that. The oysters were great but the spinach and goat cheese omelet on the weekend brunch menu was too bland to be recommended.