The Fat Radish is a wonderful farm to table restaurant serving incredible cuisine and cocktails. This hot spot in the LES (lower east side) is one that will have you wanting to make weekly visits. The interior is rustic and reminiscent of  London’s Covent Market, with long wooden farm tables, white brick walls, and a large skylight which lights up the dining room.

The menu is very vegetarian-friendly, and the restaurant sources local ingredients and takes inspiration from its British roots. ” Using seasonal ingredients, The Fat Radish produces fresh plates which feature vegetables at the forefront of the dish – such as Celery Root Pot Pie (a fan favorite) and loads of hearty salads. Their menu also consists of proteins such as a classic Cheeseburger or Pan Seared Diver Scallops, all crafted by Executive Chef Nick Wilber. The restaurant is led by founding partner Phil Winser and managing partner Natalie Freihon.” TheFatRadish.com. 

Here I recommend starting your dinner with some cocktails. I really enjoyed the  White Summer Sazerac, which is made with K.C.D. Whiskies, Italicus, Fennel & Celery Salt, and Absinthe. Alongside this cocktail was the house Radish appetizer and an Aperol Spritz, which is a great aperitif before a delicious meal. The starters are perfect share-able plates if you order a few, and my favorites were the Blistered Shishito Peppers with Sesame Seeds and Yogurt SauceEast Coast Oysters, Whole Roasted Hen of the Woods Mushrooms with Tamari and Juniper Butter, Seared Tuna with Watermelon, Ginger Thai Dressing, and Cilantro, as well as the Smashed Cucumbers with Burnt Garlic and Chives. The mushrooms melted in your mouth and exploded with flavor, while the cucumber and tuna appetizers were cool and refreshing; perfect for a hot summer evening.

All paired nicely with the cocktail selections, but if you’re into wine, the list here will match beautifully with the fresh and delicious menu items. For the plates (entrees), I decided to try a vegetarian option as well as a non-vegetarian option. This was a hard choice, but the service staff really helped me narrow down my selections. The Thai Green Vegetable Curry with Baby Eggplant, Squash, and Green Beans, is delightful. It’s perfect for those who enjoy veggie bowls with tons of savory, salty, and spicy flavors. Alongside was the Chicken Kiev with Timberdoodle Cheese, and Charred Broccoli. This dish was also quite delicious and is perfect for those who like something a bit hearty but not too overbearing. For the sides, the Truffled Parmesan Duck Fat Chips are a must have!

If you have room for dessert, they have some amazing options. I enjoyed the Blueberry Donuts and the Chocolate-Crusted Banana Cream Pie. Both were a deliciously sweet way to end the meal, especially when paired with The Bamboo cocktail. If you’re seeking a British inspired farm to table restaurant with a rustic vibe, The Fat Radish is the perfect spot to go to. You will enjoy everything from the ambiance to the food, as well as the beverage selection and service.