Dinner with a View

Last night, a few co-workers and I took a tennis lesson and headed to Water's Edge restaurant afterwards for a bite.  I have never seen such an amazing view.  From their Long Island City location, you get an unparalleled look at the Manhattan skyline, which only got better as the fog lifted.  Looking out over the water at the lights, buildings, and bridge, I remembered why I moved here.  I would be happy just sitting outside on the deck with a glass of wine, watching the sunset.  But I was even happier that my experience last night didn't stop with a glass of wine.

We started with a few appetizers:

• Amuse bouche of fois gras with poached pear on a crisp
• Oysters
• Harvest Salad (frisee and radiccio with candied nuts and blue cheese)
• Fried Squash Blossoms (stuffed with goat cheese and herbs, topped with pepper relish) - these were the best.  They looked beautiful and tasted better.
• Heirloom Tomato Terrine with Mache salad

After the apps, which were simple but incredibly fresh and wonderful, it was time to make the tough entree decision.  I finally landed on the scallops, and I am so glad I did.  Three huge scallops, each topped with a huge piece of seared fois gras atop a sweet sauce (can't remember what), parsnips, and brussels sprout leaves.  It was one of the best dishes I have had in a while and certainly one of the best scallop dishes, though you can't really go wrong with large amounts of fois gras.  All the other entrees looked lovely, as did the sides we ordered for the table, but I hardly glanced over at those dishes since I was basically in a relationship with my own.

At around $35 per entree, this place does not come cheap, but the food was wonderful and I would be happy to spend that money just to get that view.  Apparently, the pitcher from the Mets feels the same way because he was dining next to us.  It was far better the Top of the Rock.  If the idea of heading to Long Island City is a little unnerving, I recommend taking the free (yes, free) 10 minute ferry from 23rd street (East side) that leaves every hour on Friday and Saturday.  Honestly, I can't decide which I liked better, the dinner or the view.  Thankfully, I didn't have to choose.