Area 31 Makes Esquire's Best of 2009

Photo by Adam Larkey

Was Mariani bowled over by this bolognese?

​Area 31, in the Epic Hotel downtown, has been named as one of the Best New Restaurants of 2009 in the November issue of Esquire magazine. When food and travel critic John Mariani dined at Area 31 this summer, he asked executive chef John Critchley to send out his favorite dishes. Mariani's menu entailed Yellowfin Tuna Crudo, Grilled Red Drum, Salt-Crusted Dorade, and Ricotta Gnocchi with Tuna Bolognese (in photo -- and the recipe is here). Congrats to Critchley and the crew for the well-deserved accolade.