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The Toucan & The Lion: Joining Blue Owl and Blind Pig in the ever-growing animal house of the East Village is The Toucan & The Lion. Sure, it may sound like the moniker of a beard-sporting band from the piney woods of Portland, but don’t expect scruffy Americana at this Asian-inspired gastropub. Modern and minimalist, the white digs get a welcome dose of warmth thanks to hanging terrarium “glow lamps,” fresh flowers on the tiny two-tops, and oak wood throughout. The menu boasts the now ubiquitous updates on comfort food, but TT&TL breathes new life into dishes like pork ribs ($12) and pot pie ($22) with interesting, fusion-y flavor combos, slathering the swine in espresso glaze and pumpkin seed brittle, and swapping the classic chicken for Massaman curried-goat under the pot pie’s roti “crust.” Though Chef Justin Fertitta’s got the place down from “Duck Confit Mofongo” ($14) to “Bacon Doughnuts” (yes, they’re as awesome as they sound, $6), the real king of this jungle is the cocktail. The meticulously made titular ‘tails “The Lion” (kaffir & ginger-infused rum, lime, simple syrup and Sriracha, $10) and “The Toucan” (Yamakazi whisky, house-made vermouth and Angostura bitters, $10) will give you enough liquid courage to take down two blood-hungry lions…or at least not feel so guilty about gobbling up the lion’s share of those delicious doughnuts.
Reviewed 2/9/12
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