Entering the small lobby at The Chambers through massive, woven wood doors sets the stage for a dramatic descent into the underground space of Town, directly to the left through the lobby. Our 7:30pm reservation was perfect; it fell squarely between the end of after-work drinks and the beginning of later-night dates.

Seated on the mezzanine, with a view down into the softly lit main space, we immediately fell into contemplation of the rather small menu. A Restaurant Week prix fixe usually offers several options for 3 courses: appetizer, entrée and dessert with an optional wine pairing (at extra charge). Town had all this, but with only two choices for each course and $18 for the wine, which was poured conservatively.

Other than the small selection, the dishes were sumptuous and surprisingly filling; we tried everything offered and judged all to fulfill the contemporary spirit of both the hotel and restaurant. Check out the menu:

($35 prix-fixe. $18 optional wine pairing)
Appetizers
Grilled sepia salad/ shaved fennel/ pickled peppers/ fennel pollen
Gnudi/ garlic scapes/ wild mushrooms/ parmigiano broth

Entrées
Poached cod/ navy beans/ shellfish/ cilantro
Braised lamb shank/ chickpea mash/ lemon yogurt/ trevisano

Desserts
Warm chocolate tort/ chocolate sorbet
Coconut panna cotta/ stewed mangoes

Now where to go next? Perhaps today we shall give hotels a break in favor of some Bobby Flay magic at Mesa Grill. Let there be cornbread!

Related Stories:
Chambers Hotel: High Speed/High Design Office For A Day
Top Five Hotels To Dine At for New York Restaurant Week