BWW Previews: POUNDS & OUNCES NYC PUB has New Menu and New Chef

Pounds & Ounces NYC Pub, formerly Pounds & Ounces Chelsea has unveiled a new menu concept of small plates in response to what now truly defines the modern New York City pub, sharing and social dining. Managing Partner Etai Cinader realized that these elements are what his clientele enjoy most about Pounds & Ounces and they are the motivating factors behind the evolution of the menu.

The new menu, crafted by new Executive Chef Margaret LaVetty in accordance with Cinader's vision, will offer an eclectic choice of aesthetically-plated small dishes. Each specifically designed to be shared at any of the tables, banquettes or at their custom made "P" and "O" shaped metal and alabaster communal table, one of the signature features of the Art Deco-inspired space.

To highlight the eatery's new culinary direction and with the eventual goal of expanding beyond the city, Cinader refined its name to Pounds & Ounces NYC Pub. This name will define and popularize the culinary-driven pub experience.

Chef LaVetty commented about the restaurant's concept. "Our idea is to have service oriented toward the social dining trend, which is here to stay. Our servers will collaborate with guests to craft the experience according to individual tastes with dishes that complement one another." She also said, "A party can order several different dishes and get a taste of each item in whichever order they prefer, fulfilling a variety of cravings as they eat, as opposed to the conventional and relatively rigid three course ordering and dining style."

La Vetty is making her New York City top tier debut at Pounds & Ounces NYC Pub. Born and raised in New York City, she started working in restaurants at the age of 14. Chef LaVetty has spent most of her career in Florida and California. A graduate of San Francisco's Culinary Institute of California, her previous experience includes stints as executive sous chef at Manhattan's BLT Grill & Bar, executive chef of Ft. Lauderdale's acclaimed The Grill, and at the popular St. Petersburg, FL institution Mazzaro's. She also played the role of chef de cuisine at Miami's highly-touted Nemo, and that of sous chef at Campanile/La Brea Bakery in Los Angeles.

The new menu's highlights include: Oyster Deviled Eggs, cholula spiked deviled eggs and cornmeal crusted oysters with candied bacon and jalapeño crisp; Ahi Tuna Nachos, crispy wontons, ahi tuna, seaweed salad and edamane with pickled ginger, diced tomatoes, avocado, wasabi cream and soy glaze; Waffle Battered Chicken Pops, maple syrup-soaked fried chicken served with guava barbecue sauce and watermelon cumber salad; Moroccan Meatballs; Baby Osso Buco; and Vegetable Chop Chop marinated diced vegetables, mint, pomegranate seeds with citrus dressing. There are also clever slider iterations such Chimichurri Shrimp and Oyster Po' Boy. As part of this culinary-driven collaboration, Chef LaVetty has also added house-made desserts to Pounds & Ounces NYC Pub's brunch and dinner attractions for the first time. They include Meyer Lemon Guava Cheesecake, coconut granola crust and fresh whipped cream, and the Triple Chocolate Pretzel Parfait, layers of three mousses and salted caramel candied pretzels.

In addition to the revamped menu, the beverage program has been re-imagined with an inspired cocktail list. Among the new cocktail options are two on tap, making Pounds & Ounces NYC Pub one of the city's few restaurants featuring such an offering. The cocktails-on-tap are Pub Cosmo, Stoli Blueberi, pomegranate juice and fresh lime juice and the Pub Iced Tea, Early Times Whiskey, Tavalon's NYC Breakfast Tea, Combier Peach, and Rhuby Liqueur, while the pub's beer taps will flow with Corona Light, Negra Modelo, Captain Lawrence IPA, Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner, Blue Moon Wheat and Sam Adams Seasonal.

Pounds & Ounces NYC Pub is located at 160 8th Ave (corner of 18th St.). Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., on Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to midnight. Brunch begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and runs until 4 p.m. Happy Hour is Monday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. For reservations or more information please call (646) 449-8150 or visit www.poundsandouncesnyc.com.

Photo Credit: Pounds & Ounces NYC Pub