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“Good News for Murray Hill Residents: Prespa ”

I have a few friends in Murray Hill/Kips Bay who often lament their dining plight, suffering in a neighborhood that’s lacking in promising dining options whether it be a neighborhood bistro, a gastro-pub or a more elegant respite. Hopefully Prespa, which opens December 1st, will be the perfect balm for their culinary pain.

This redesign and relaunch of Prespa Mediterranean Brasserie (which opened in April) as just Prespa not only brightens the landscape for Murray Hill foodies but it also sets the stage for chef Richard Farnabe return to the position of executive chef. The Jean-Georges protégé is best known for his cooking at Lotus, Montrachet and Mercer Kitchen was most recently cooking at Picholine where he was Chef de Cuisine.

Named after two freshwater lakes in southeast Europe shared by Greece, Albania, and the Republic of Macedonia, Prespa is owned by Saciro Gashi (Arcobaleno, NYC; The Dolphin, NYC) and Julian Aliaj (The Russian Tea Room, NYC), and features tapas and entrée-sized plates including an extensive selection of vegetarian items: beet cannelloni with Greek yogurt parfait ($6), parmesan soup with white truffle popcorn ($5), and black risotto with organic black rice and beet tartar ($6/$14).

Carnivores can take comfort in braised short ribs with pine nuts, apricot and carrot fritters ($12/$27), as well as roasted lamb chop with Moroccan spices, braised faro, dates and pomegranate yogurt sauce ($15/$28). And if you’re a fish lover, there’s a broiled black cod with jicama and avocado salad ($11/$28), and Farnabe’s Paupiette of John Dory with foie gras, chanterelle and yellow wine sauce ($17).

Farnarbe is also doing a Chef’s Tasting menu showcasing 6 or 7 of his daily selections with wine pairing, and a two course Prix Fixe lunch menu ($18.95) that includes choices like a Wild Arugula Salad with fava beans and shaved Pecorino cheese, steak frites with bordelaise and French fries and baked branzini filet with tzaziki, artichoke and fennel salad.

Prespa opens December 1st and is located at 184 Lexington Avenue, between 31st and 32nd Street, 212.810.4335; www.prespanyc.net). The restaurant is open Monday to Friday for lunch, and every night for dinner.

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Posted: November 24, 2008 - 5:16 pm

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