It sounds like the ingredients of a bad joke, yeah? Caviar. Banana. But when you combine the two along with China Grill Management (the owners of Asia de Cuba), you get a potent mix of delectable food, wonderful service, and relaxed atmosphere.

I arrived early with Jason and was pleasantly surprised at the decor. It's a complete turnaround from Rocco's on 22nd (the previous occupant of that space) with soft lighting, neutral tones, and warm wood floors.

Soon enough, the rest of our party traipsed in and we were seated by the friendly hostess. Now, in my short but dense experience of Restaurant Week, I've come to expect that the RW menu be a bland (cheaper) version of the norm. Caviar & Banana, however, offered the exact same appetizers and entrees as on the regular menu. We ordered empanadas and carioca breads (brazilian pizzas, apparently) to start, chicken churrascos and ribs and shrimp for the main entrees, and sorbets and crepe passions to finish.

(to be continued..)