Back to Flex Mussels

Living in NYC, we don’t go to the same restaurant twice unless it is really good.  Last time we went to Flex Mussels, we had a wonderful experience, and I have not been able to get the deep fried whoopie pie out of my head since!  So when our friends suggested Flex Mussels for dinner this weekend, I couldn’t say no.

The big difference last night, was that we went to the 13th Street location, where Zac Young, the famous pastry chef from Top Chef: Just Desserts,  usually works.  Well, not only was Zac there, but we actually met him and talked to him for a few minutes!  Actually, Matt said hello and introduced us, and I kind of blathered about.  I don’t really get excited about actors, but celebrity chefs are my thing and I was completely star-struck.  Good thing I have a husband that was able to form complete sentences and ask to take a picture with Zac.

I still can’t get over how cool he was.  If you watched Just Desserts, he is exactly like he was on the show.  I did manage to ask him if he eats the desserts he makes, and he told me he actually just eats desserts, since they don’t have calories.  Can you see why I love him?

Anyway, the food was just as good as last time.  Matt and I shared the Goat Cheese Salad (“toasted goat cheese, simple greens, roasted beets, candied walnuts, apples”).  The greens were crisp and fresh and there was a good balance of ingredients.

For the table we ordered a few things to share:

2 orders of Truffle Fries

The fries were crispy and flavorful topped with mixed seasonings and parmesan cheese.  They were accompanied by an aromatic truffle oil.

Little Neck Mussels: “fresh chopped clams, bacon, red pepper, breadcrumbs, herbs”

These mussels were different from any mussels I’ve had before.  I loved the texture that was added from the breadcrumbs.

Maine Mussels: “lobster, smoked bacon, corn, white chowder, parsley”

The Maine variety was extremely flavorful.  If you like bacon, I’d highly recommend this version.  We had this version last time and I’m glad we ordered it again.

Italiano Mussels (no photo): “calamari, roasted garlic, red wine, tomato sauce”

These were the perfect mussels for bread dipping.  The red sauce was chunky and flavorful.  The calamari were a little overcooked, but other than that these were great too.

Even though the salad, mussels and fries was more than enough food, we couldn’t leave without ordering dessert.  I was so tempted to get donuts or the whoopie pie again, but I wanted to try something new.  Everything on the dessert menu sounded amazing, but Zac had said that his favorite was The  Flexy Cream Egg.

s

I usually shy away from panna cotta, it just isn’t my thing, but the dessert sounded so interesting Matt and I had to try it.

The dessert had a beautiful presentation.

A thin chocolate shell was filled with the panna cotta and topped with the salted chocolate shortbread cookie crumbs.  Of course it wouldn’t be a Zac dessert without gold dust painted across the plate.

The panna cotta was creamy and flavorful but I especially liked the cookie crumbs- crunchy, sweet and salty all at the same time.

Thanks Flex Mussels and Zac for another terrific meal.  We will definitely be back!

In other news, the Husband started a blog!  Check out Matt Eats Food for his review of Flex Mussels and some of his daily eats.

Do you have restaurants that you go to repeatedly or do you always try something new?