Despite the Stupid Name, I’d Go Back to DBGB for Dessert
The only thing really worth talking about at Daniel Boulud’s DBGB is the mint chocolate sundae. The Yankee Burger didn’t compare to Shake Shack’s, even with the added cheddar and bacon. The winter squash soup wasn’t nearly as good as Métrazur’s. All of my lunch companions were sort of meh about everything they ordered; no one complained, but no one seemed really excited to go back.
But that’s because they didn’t try the sundae.
It looked like run-of-the-mill chocolate gelato, but it had the taste of mint. Not mint flavor, mind you, but actual fresh mint leaves. I wasn’t totally sold on it with my first few bites, to tell the truth, because I’m used to super-sweet, super artificial-tasting desserts. All of the different topping components–the dark chocolate chunks, the meringue drops, the whipped cream–had just the slightest hint of sweetness, and the gelato itself was borderline savory. For someone who can’t get enough cupcakes and milkshakes, it was an unusual and challenging dessert, but it tasted like a lot of thought and effort went into it, and it didn’t leave me feeling as if each bite was going to give me the sugarbetes. So many restaurants don’t seem to care about their desserts, especially during Restaurant Week, but this was meant to impress.
If you’re curious, here are the other dishes my co-workers and I tried:
winter squash soup
chop-chop salad
tuna nicoise salad
yankee burger
lamb and couscous
one of the many sausages, which my dining companion unfortunately can’t recall the make of
Brussels sprouts
13 Comments
Heesa Phadie
You know…I love love love gelato (and ice cream) and I enjoy mint things as well but not in a mint leaf type of way…I bet I wouldn’t care for that. This may be weird…but of all the things there (and they all look awesome) the brussel sprouts are calling my name the most.
plumpdumpling
I wonder if it’s just that we don’t taste real mint very often, because I felt the same way for the first couple of tastes. I love a York Peppermint Patty and an Andes mint like nobody’s business, but I felt like I was eating a garden for dessert at first.
And yeah, those Brussels sprouts were definitely the second-best thing I had there. Although I really love some bacon in my sprouts, which those were sadly lacking.
Bachelor Girl
It’s a shame you describe this restaurant as “meh,” because the salads and the burger look AMAZING.
That’s probably more a testament to your photography abilities than their food-styling talents, though.
plumpdumpling
Salads never look amazing! Salads are vile and unlovable.
But really, I totally needed this comment. One of my friends has been really harassing me about how terrible my photography skills are, so your timeliness is appreciated.
Kim
Oh. I want that sundae in my life immediately. I love mint leaves. The muddled mint is the only reason I drink mojitos (not that I have anything against the other ingredients). I think I would eat anything that incorporates mint.
Your food photos ARE lovely. I basically want to eat everything in this post, even the things you considered ‘meh’, and even though I don’t like sausage, and even though I’m not hungry …
plumpdumpling
As I said to Kelly above, thanks for specifically mentioning that you don’t hate my photos, pal. I don’t think I was going to change the way I take pictures just because someone felt the need to tell me mine look like puke, but it did make me think twice.
But yeah, mint. Mint and basil. I could have them in everything. I will eat that sundae with you so many times when you move here.
SonOfABisque
Whoever plated that Soup and Nicoise salad should be shot/fired
plumpdumpling
Honestly! I especially love the smattering of bacon in the one-inch circle.
Sammy Skye
i agree with you about the dbgb burger. wasn’t the worst i’d ever had. but def won’t be going back for it. have you been to the spotted pig? there is a great burger!
plumpdumpling
I think you must be in cahoots with a friend of mine who keeps pushing me to come to Spotted Pig with her. I haven’t been yet, but I need to get on it. Do you like it over the Shake Shack burger?
I love the candidness of your blog, by the way. I tooooooooooootally agree with your sentiments on This is Why You’re Fat being way more awesome than gross.
kim
I went there when it first opened. Unless you’re a meat eater (which I’m not), I wouldn’t rush back as well. It’s ‘go to be seen’ place. I also got the chop chop salad. Not worth it for the price. And no complimentary bread during lunch and brunch service.
plumpdumpling
Yeah, I mean, I’m glad I went, because I like figuring out for myself what’s actually good and what’s just hype. And this is definitely hype. Except for dessert!
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