Three words initially attracted me to Tailor: “huitlacoche corn dogs.” Huitlacoche, a corn fungus, is a Mexican delicacy all too rarely utilized north of the border. Its flavor is sinfully rich and utterly unique, so when Nicole informed me there was somewhere I could indulge in my huitlacoche obsession wrapped around a hot dog, I said, “OK, when are we going?” Only adding to the incentive, on Mondays Tailor offers huitlacoche corn dogs and a Modelo Especial for just $12 (the corn dogs alone normally cost $10).
The dogs arrive three to an order, with Dijon mustard, relish, and ketchup for dipping. As a longtime huitlacoche devotee, I have to say that the flavor didn’t sing quite as loudly as I would have hoped, but that isn’t to say that the dish was a failure. It puts a new spin on a tired carnival food, and can also serve as a gentle introduction to a little-known ingredient that might deter a less adventurous eater.
But chef Sam Mason has a lot more up his sleeves than corn dogs. If you come in for the Monday special, your experience would be sadly lacking were you not to sample some other delights from Mason’s clearly well thought out menu of updated bar snacks. When was the last time your after work cocktail came with maple poached snails on a toasted baguette with parsley foam? How about pulled duck sliders or porkbelly in a miso butterscotch glaze? Lamb meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce with feta cheese, perhaps? If these descriptions whet your appetite as much as they did mine, just wait until you taste them: every dish is so carefully constructed that the first bite of each one was a true “wow” moment. And at just $9-11 per plate, these moments don’t have to be reserved for special occasions.
Don’t fill up on savories, though–-you’d be remiss to pass up either of the $6 desserts. The manchego cheesecake arrives as little cylinders of filling rolled in graham cracker dust, nestled atop a fluffy bed of pineapple foam. This makes for a bite that is both richly creamy and refreshing at the same time, not to mention that the manchego flavor brings an entirely new dimension to this common dessert we all know and love. The “Mexican donuts,” as they are modestly billed on the menu, are a lot more extraordinary than their name suggests. These are no donuts in the traditional sense, but rather chocolate churros with a hint of chili pepper flavor, served in a bowl with caramel dipping sauce. Need I say more?
So if you’re an fun-loving diner who appreciates a creative dish with a touch of whimsy, Tailor is an absolute must. Head over after work, start with a beer and some corn dogs, and just keep exploring!
Posted by: Kim Partrick
Order: huitlacoche corn dogs, Tailor hot wings, lamb meatballs, pulled duck sliders, manchego cheesecake
Price: $$
Location: 525 Broome Street (between Thompson St. and Sullivan St.)
Type of Food: American
Veggie friendly? N
www.tailornyc.com
Check out more mouth-watering pics of Tailor’s bar snacks after the jump!
The specials of the night: lamb meatballs with spicy tomato sauce and feta, pulled duck sliders
Tailor’s deconstructed hot wings
Manchego cheesecake bites with pineapple foam
Of course not one morsel went to waste!
This meal sounds AMAZING. I’ve been trying to a fun place to take my sister when she comes out to visit. I can definitely say we will be trying Tailor!
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