Tabla
11 Madison Avenue (at 26th Street)

I had to discuss a few business issues with a friend of mine, so I went down near his office for lunch -- and we had the opportunity to choose from several good places within a few blocks of each other. We chose Tabla -- and it was a pretty good choice.

The two-part restaurant boasts a simpler, "bread"-centric eatery downstairs and a more formal dining room upstairs; we chose to dine upstairs. The restaurant has a good and solid feel, with plenty of space -- condusive to meetings. What a brilliant idea, especially next to several financial institutions next to Madison Park.

We each chose a different prix fixe set and had a wonderful meal. I enjoyed the Goan crabcake on top of an avocado salad. The combination worked very well, and the crabcake was solid and tasty. Definitely a good start.

The main course was ravioli filled with minced rabbit. Not bad, perhaps the nuts were a little too noticeable, but it was a nice little dish. The mince was perhaps a bit overdone and too bland, but not bad. Through both courses I enjoyed a nice Indian chenin blanc from Nashik -- fruity and crisp. Never had Indian wine before (not even in India), so this was a nice surprise.

A small dessert and coffee and we got through a set of discussions that sorted a lot of stuff out, so it was a very fruitful lunch. If it wasn't so darn hot outside, that long walk back to the home office was awful and sweaty...ugh... Still, at least I had a good meal to think about on that trek. Good show.

Food: B
Atmosphere: B+
For Lone Diners: B (*)