It was exactly a year ago that we were mourning the loss of El Rey Del Sol — or, more specifically, its spacious outdoor garden. But now Murray Hill pub the Crooked Knife has opened its second location in the below-street-level space, and by summer, they’ll bring back the garden (without the communal picnic tables — just tables and umbrellas). Manager Michael Griffin says the owners have tried to “up it a level” by hiring a chef, Swainson Brown, who has served at Country, Back Forty, and Savoy. He’ll eventually be using herbs from the back garden in the dishes below. Current hours are 5 p.m. till midnight from Monday through Saturday, and till 11 p.m. on Sunday, and there’ll be brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, too.
BRUNCH
Cinnamon French Toast 8
strawberry compote and sausage links
Egg White Frittata 9
asparagus, spinach, mushroom, gruyere cheese and green salad
Three Egg Omelet (choice of three) 9
spinach, tomato, mushroom, bacon, chorizo, caramelized onions, asparagus, cheddar cheese, American cheese, Swiss cheese with home fries
Mac N’ Cheese Gratin 8
caramelized onions, black pepper and cheddar mornay sauce
Hanger Steak Salad 12
romaine, peppers, olives, blue cheese, tomato, grill scallions and croutons
Smoked Salmon Platter 12
salmon rillette, onions, capers, tomato, fried egg and bagel
Egg Benedict 10
Canadian bacon or spinach or smoked salmon, home fries and hollandaise sauce
Crooked Knife Fried Egg Burger 11
10oz burger, beefsteak tomato, red onion, romaine, fried egg and fries
cheese/bacon 1
Croque Madam
ham, gruyere, sunny side egg and green salad or fries
Caesar Salad 7
crisp romaine, croutons and parmesan
add chicken 4, add shrimp 5 and salmon 7
Carrot Apple Soup 5
honey cream, black pepper and parsley
DINNER
Appetizers
Rosemary Shrimp Scampi 6
tomato, garlic, croutons and lemon
Tomato Mozzarella 7
tempura eggplant, portobello mushroom and balsamic reduction
Sirloin Beef Skewers 6
soy-ginger marinate, scallion, cilantro and lime
Mac N’ Cheese Gratin 8
caramelized onions, black pepper and cheddar mornay sauce
Onion Rings 5
spicy mayo
Charcuterie 14
prosciutto, salami, chorizo, artisanal cheeses, tomato jam and marinated olives
Market Salad 7
tomatoes, shave vegetables, croutons, pistou and balsamic vinaigrette
Grilled Calamari Salad 8
red pepper coulis, olives, roasted peppers, frissee, lemon and arugula
Caesar Salad 7
crisp romaine, croutons and parmesan
Carrot Apple Soup 5
honey cream, black pepper and parsley
Roasted Beets Salad 8
toasted hazelnut, goat cheese, watercress, apple and sherry vinaigrette
Entrées
Seared Sea Scallops 16
celeriac, mushroom fricassee, celery-apple salad, hazelnut and brown butter gastrique
Balsamic Braised Short Ribs 18
carrot puree, wild mushrooms and carrot salad
Herb Ricotta Linguini 12
proscuitto, asparagus, chili, arugula, herb pistou and parmesan
Fish & Chip 12
beer batter cod, fries, tar-tar sauce, cole slaw and lemon
Striped Bass 18
parsnip puree, snow peas, wild mushrooms and herb vinaigrette
Rack of Lamb 19
vegetable napoleon, arugula and olive-tomato vinaigrette
Crooked Knife Burger 13
10oz burger, beefsteak tomato, red onion, romaine and fries
cheese/mushroom/caramelized onion 1 bacon 2
Grilled Salmon 16
melted chipolini onions, asparagus, potatoes and beurre blanc sauce
Half Roasted Chicken 15
potato puree, asparagus and chicken jus
Hanger Steak 18
shoestring fries, creamed spinach, arugula salad and beef sauce
Penne Pasta 12
olives, zucchini, mushroom, asparagus, yellow squash tomato and herbs
Sides 4
sautéed spinach, garlic potato wedges, asparagus w/ parmesan, onion rings w/ spicy mayo
mushroom fricassee, mashed potatoes, creamed spinach and shoestring fries
Desserts
Chocolate Bread Pudding 7
crème anglaise, strawberry compote and ice cream
Apple Tart 6
rum apple jam, vanilla ice cream and cinnamon sugar
Lemon-Basil Crème Brulee 7
raspberry and caramel sugar
Cinnamon French Toast 6
orange marmalade, orange supremes and vanilla ice cream
Jameson Poached Pear 7
whiskey caramel sauce, crème anglaise and ice cream
The Crooked Knife, 232 W. 14th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-929-4534
