Euzkadi

Sometimes you just feel like you're eating a meal with another person, and sometimes you feel like you're on a date. With its teetering on hip, bistro-but-not, relaxed vibe, Euzkadi certainly ventures into date territory.

Things started off well with the complimentary olive (and anchovy?) tapenade with crusty bread (that's replenished without asking. Why are restaurants so sparing with the starches these days? If I were counting carbs, I wouldn't be dining out in the first place). A mussel appetizer, stuffed, bacon-wrapped trout and rabbit with roasted potatoes, prunes, the odd lardon and a red wine sauce soon followed. Everything was much to my liking: rich flavors, sweet and savory, autumnal to a tee. With a shared quince tart and bottle of wine, the meal was rounded out satisfyingly.

The evening was a happy accident. I was originally looking for the Indonesian a few doors down when I got waylaid by this place. Sometimes ignoring my usual single-mindedness pays off.

Euzkadi* 108 E. Fourth St., New York, NY