The owners of Malt House, a cozy neighborhood bar in Greenwich Village, have outdone themselves with their monolith of a second location in the Financial District. With Chef Armando Avila (formerly of STK and Five Napkin Burger) at the helm of both restaurants, this upscale dining experience elevates all of the reasons you loved the original location.
The Financial District location of Malt House is a testament to seventeen months of renovation and intricate interior design that is built off of the original structure of this 7,000 square foot space. The restaurant is three floors, consisting of the main dining room and 60-foot bar, an upper mezzanine level with additional seating for dining, as well as a private dining room, and the lower level, chicly named the Armory Cocktail Parlour, which was my favorite floor. The Armory boasts Manhattan’s largest American Whiskey collection to date, with over 200 whiskies available on a nightly basis, and a rotating list of historically themed cocktails.
For two Irish immigrants who love their adopted homeland, this restaurant pays homage to Old New York, and the effort put into this renovation is elegantly paired with a deep rooted passion for American dining. With a rapid increase in residential properties in the Financial District, Malt House has quickly escalated to a neighborhood hot spot, drawing large crowds after the work day, as well as on the weekends. The polished, homey feel of Malt House is undeniable.
Here’s what we ate:
Avocado Bacon Deviled Eggs
I’ll let that sink in for a minute. This combination of ingredients makes for an excellent twist on a tavern classic.
Crab and Artichoke Dip
Despite the fact that this dish contains three cheeses, there was a light, airy quality to this dip that makes it very approachable. The plantain chips are also a great twist on a dish that usually comes with pita or tortilla chips.
Slow Braised Short Rib Sliders
Pan seared and incredibly tender, the rosemary caramelized onions complete this decadent dish that is always a great option for sharing.
Wagyu House Blend Burger
This blend is made in house and garnished with hickory smoked bacon and pesto aioli for an extra kick of flavor, and is absolutely terrific. If you love a good bar burger to go with your beer, this is a slam dunk.
Blackened Alaskan Salmon Po Boy
Not something I would normally order, this sandwich was an excellent alternative to the normal offerings at an American tavern like Malt House. The grilled onions and cucumbers accentuated the Cajun spices on the salmon, and the French fries are (as always) well done and delicious.
Twisted Talk: Have you ever been to any Malt House locations? What’s your favorite dish? Discuss below!
