Proprietors/Executive Chef: AvroKO Group/Brad Farmerie

NoHo – 316 Bowery Street, New York, NY

Formerly Known As…the beloved Double Crown.  Oh yeah, Double Crown! Everybody knows (and may have loved) Double Crown…adjacent to the speakeasy, Madame Geneva.  A gin bar nonetheless… Under the same ownership, the newly Saxon + Parole is a much coveted New American restaurant, (with a tinge of Mediterranean and North African flavors) and plenty of equestrian decoration.  Named after the two great New York racehorses.  If you are familiar with Double Crown, their food had a  much higher Asian accent.  The restaurant itself is quite gigantic, with an upstairs AND downstairs dining area.  I prefer the top level, as it has more lighting and a bit more livelier.  This is the type of establishment that if I didn’t have my own table, the bar is the next best thing.

what do you get when you mix grilled meats & aquatic delights? saxon + parole.  BUT WHAT THE HELL does aquatic delights mean? Seafood…right.  I.knew.that. My mind was elsewhere…it’s their specialty.  In fact, their bar is pretty damn fantastic too.  Their selection of cocktails are totally worth whatever price it ranges.  Saxon is the kind of place where I would like to lounge my drinking days….I am in love with their cocktails as I am with their appetizers.  I think I could actually live without their entrees…they are good, don’t get me wrong..but I prefer small bites of variety BETTER… esp. when it involves the likes of mousse, bone marrow and a few oysters here and there… The entrees didn’t get me that excited here…but this is a key environment to mingle with friends in low key conversations…. and come to think of it, not a bad environment for first dates either…

Bone Marrow w/ a delightful orange, berry marmalade.

Bone marrow is undoubtedly rich, a little too rich for me, but spread it gently and thinly over the brioche toast and you should be fine and pair it with the marmalade for some textures.

Brussels Sprouts w/ bacon, poached egg & hazelnuts

This is my favorite dish of the night.  The delicate leaves of the brussels, crispy, salty bacon, creaminess of the egg, subtle sweet and nutty  hazelnuts, made for the perfect bite in taste and texture.  I love textures especially when you can hit up all the various tastes in ONE bite. You had me at first bite.

Portobello mousse with whiskey jam & truffles

Second favorite dish of the night.  The mushroom mousse was incredibly light and airy…not too creamy. Decadent in truffles, but not too rich in taste… perfect with the toasted brioche.  So simple yet refined.

Saxon Burger topped with fried egg & bacon.  Toasted sesame bun.

Pretty messy but good.  Accompanied by crispy fries.  Overall, solid.

Saxon’s Burger ~ Up Close & Personal