A Wren Says

Back in February, I walked into Hav and Mar on a busy Thursday night. The New York restaurant was a buzz, fully of fashionable people. The hostess seated me quickly at the bar.

The restaurant is one of Marcus Samuelsson’s. It is, in my opinion, an ode to the beauty of the cuisine in the African Diaspora. It takes influences from the continent, cuisine from the Black experience in the states, and pieces Samuelsson’s Swedish upbringings.  

As I waited to be helped I looked around at the décor. Stylized colorful mermaids with patchwork tails swam on the walls around me. Wooden accents decorated the space, including an enclosed area with a table as if it were fenced in for privacy. Once I had the chance, I ordered the snapper and the social breeze, a zero proof cocktail.

My mocktail came, much stronger on the citrus flavor than coconut. I didn’t even taste to coconut at all. Did they forget to add it. (Side note, I will look into that Social Elixir the bartender used by Three Spirit.

My meal came out, and the dish was a work of art and truly lesson in proper plating. The fish was excellently cooked. The rice was served as a rectangular prism that was slightly crisped. Every bite reminded me that coming to this restaurant was a good decision.

I finished my meal, and decided to chance the dessert menu. The decadent slice, which unbeknownst to me when I ordered it, was clearly meant form three people. It was a chocolate lovers dream, but perhaps too much for me at the point. I packed quite a bit of it to go.

Truthfully, even though it was an amazing first impression, I don’t think one visit is enough for me. I want to go back now that the seasons have changed and a new menu has debuted. I want to return with friends and enjoy the sharing plates and the updated cocktail menu. I really enjoyed my time at Hav and Mar and can’t wait until I can get back there next.