Bacon Jam

My job has one benefit - I get to look for new and innovative restaurants. I found Rack & Rye about a month or so ago - maybe longer, and couldn't wait to try it. The menu looked unique and plain and simply yummy.
We hit it this afternoon at around 4:30, and were the only patrons. Not too much of an issue for me, except I need this place to succeed!

From the moment I saw the menu, I had to try the Bacon Jam. I had no clue what it was, but anything with bacon has to be good. It arrived with the bacon jam in an espresso mug, a sliced, toasted baguette and a sliced, however unripe, tomato. I took a tiny nibble of the Bacon Jam (I have some major food issues - who knew what this really was?), and it tasted a lot like the absolute best part of a baby back rib. A bit chewy, smokey and just delicious. As I mentioned, the tomato would have really accented the jam had it been ripe, or if not, had salt been available on the table.

It turns out Bacon Jam is bacon and carmelized onions in a balsamic reduction. Not rocket science, but at $4 during happy hour, it totally hit the spot. I "paired" it - there as no science to this for me - with an Odell 90 Schilling, and the salt, sweet and crunch rocked my world.

I hope Rack & Rye makes it. My husband isn't a fan of small plates, as he feels he needs to eat about 8 of them, and is out $50 before he knows it. For me, I love the variety. Now I guess I just need a different date!

By the way, Bacon Jam is not on my performance diet, but it, along with the Lobster Mac 'n Cheese at The Corner Office and the Fried Chicken at Steuben's Food Service are amazing eats that I could go for any day!