New York City: Contra (January 2020)



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:
  1. Spigarello (leafy greens) with sorrel and seaweed (we did not particularly care for this course)
  2. Tofu with dashi broth and caviar (this was our second favorite course)
  3. Uni, kale, squash (we did not love this course, and visually, it reminded us a bit of the first course because of the kale)
  4. Cod, olive, Brussel sprouts (our third favorite course)
  5. Beef, radish, tomatillo (this was our favorite course)
  6. Optional cheese course (this was memorable, and different than most, with shaved cheese covering something like figs)
  7. Carolina gold rice, blood orange (tasty, but the pinkish color was a bit off-putting)
  8. Elderflower, cream, pistachio (delicious!)
We enjoyed our dinner at Contra; the food, service, and atmosphere made for a pleasant evening.

















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