Monday night in New York City…a damn difficult night for a delectable, interesting dining celebration.

Last Monday was my daughter’s birthday.

I must have called a dozen birthday worthy restaurants and they were all dark.

Frustrated, but not defeated I remembered dining and enthusiastically reviewing MIMI after it opened in late 2015.

MIMI was exploding because Liz Johnson, a young, creative chef had made a huge splash and as quickly as she appeared she was off to Europe.

Several chefs later, MIMI is thriving after discovering  Efren Hernández.

Raised in Los Angeles and a first generation Mexican-American, Chef Hernández met  MIMI partner, Evan Bennett, while studying film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

The intimate, softly lit restaurant in Greenwich Village has room for 25 as well as a cozy marble bar where the full menu is offered.

We chose the bar and interacted with Madison, the young, delightful bartender.

We ordered a bottle of Herve Souhaut La Souteronne 2018, an organic Rhône Gamay with red berry overtones ($80).

Organic wines have changed my migraine infested life.

I am really excited that I can comfortably indulge in nectar of the Gods again.

Allowing it to breathe, the wine opened up and was lovely.

We shared two appetizers.

Always a sucker for uni, I ordered The Maine Uni with seaweed, pommes Dauphine and wasabi creme fraiche.

I am sometimes skeptical of Maine uni because it can have a bitter tinge in comparison to Santa Barbara uni, but it was sweet and delicious. I enjoyed the potato and uni combo encased in crispy seaweed ($12).

We shared the luscious Scallop Crudo with cucumber, wood sorel, spicy ume boshi and brown butter ponzu ($18).

Courtny and I shared two entrees.

The crispy, delectable very French Chicken Roti with hand shaved Burgundy Truffles, sunchokes, chanterelles, Comte and rosemary was memorable ($34).

The outstanding grilled N.Y. Strip Steak was perfectly prepared served with arugula, spring onion, lobster mushrooms and crispy potato ($38).

David selected the luscious Langoustine served over squid ink risotto, bouillabaisse and fennel ($31).

The gluten free Chocolate Terrine was heavenly ($14).

MIMI is dedicated to serving sumptuous, well prepared food into the wee hours of the morning…the handwritten menu changes daily.

The only dish missed was the kick ass, flash fried Maine Lobster in escargot butter from the 2016 menu.

If you fantasize about a maaavelous dining experience in Paris that thankfully does not necessitate a plane trip then pop on over to MIMI…you will not be disappointed.

MIMI 185 Sullivan Street Greenwich Village New York City. Open Monday-Friday 6pm-2am, Saturday 12pm-2am, Sunday 12pm-10pm. Reservations on Resy.