My spouse and I visited Contra for dinner on a Saturday
evening in mid-January 2020. Contra is open for dinner on Tuesdays through
Saturdays (closed Sundays and Mondays). Patrons can book a table about 3 weeks
in advance using the online RESY reservation system.
Contra opened in October 2013 on Orchard Street on the Lower
East Side. It occupies a storefront amidst shops and other restaurants
(including neighborhood sister Wildair). The restaurant exterior is rather
non-descript; we passed by twice before finally noticing it. The long narrow
space includes a 6-seat L-shaped bar at the front (walk-in patrons can order
the full dinner menu or an abbreviated 3-course bar menu), closely spaced wood
tables (some of which share a wooden banquette on one side) that line two sides
of the walls in the main dining area, and the kitchen at the rear.
Contra serves only a tasting menu of 7 courses for $89;
there are no a la carte options available other than a supplementary $13 cheese
course (which was different than any other cheese course we have had). Guests
can also choose a $69 beverage pairing (wine only) to accompany their meal;
however, a full bar is available if you prefer to make your own selections.
Our seven courses follow; we also received an amuse bouche
(which was a sort of crisp cracker dotted with flavors) before our first course,
as well as a freshly baked tiny loaf of bread with yummy butter served between
the first and second courses:
- Spigarello (leafy greens) with sorrel and seaweed (we did not particularly care for this course)
- Tofu with dashi broth and caviar (this was our second favorite course)
- Uni, kale, squash (we did not love this course, and visually, it reminded us a bit of the first course because of the kale)
- Cod, olive, Brussel sprouts (our third favorite course)
- Beef, radish, tomatillo (this was our favorite course)
- Optional cheese course (this was memorable, and different than most, with shaved cheese covering something like figs)
- Carolina gold rice, blood orange (tasty, but the pinkish color was a bit off-putting)
- Elderflower, cream, pistachio (delicious!)
We enjoyed our dinner at Contra; the food, service, and
atmosphere made for a pleasant evening.
