When I lived in Murray Hill, my two go-to restaurants were Banc and Cask. Cask, located on 33rd street between lex and 3rd, may seem like any other pub from the outside, but upon entering you’ll immediately notice this isn’t the case. Cask has an intimate environment and a cocktail list that is too nice for any ordinary bar. Not only are the cocktails some of the best in Murray Hill, but the food here is really good, too!…
The menu at Cask consists largely of “small plates”, which is typically tough for someone on a nobread diet, and unfortunately many of these dishes need to be avoided (potato gnocchi, crab cake, mussels, mac n’ cheese, and spring rolls). To start, if you’re able to tolerate dairy, Cask’s platter of cheeses and cured meats are seen on tables across the restaurant and from the small plates, I suggest the grilled avocado, caramelized brussels sprouts, and short rib sliders (nobread). My favorite orders at Cask are the salads. All are nobread approved and creative; the roasted pear and the chopped (nocheese) are my favorites. The salads are filling, especially when you add in grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or steak. If you’re not full yet, the ‘big plates’ at Cask are fabulous. The pan roasted salmon, roast chicken, seared scallops, and skirt steak are my favorites. NOTE: if you order a burger nobread with fries, the fries ARE subject to cross contamination. Also several dishes at Cask are naturally gluten free, but depending on the season they may be paired with a sauce that contains gluten. The servers at Cask insist practically any dish can be altered to accommodate a gluten allergy, so I suggest mentioning to your waiter that you are gluten free, or just ask for nosauce.
Cask is definitely some of the best ‘pub’ food in New York City, and I recommend everyone in Murray Hill come and check this restaurant out!