2011 RESTAURANT WEEK NYC
This twice yearly event is such a treat for me because I get to try eating at nice restaurants at reasonable prices and I have been doing this since its inception in the 90s. This time I tried 5 of them in two weeks, all new to me except Le Cirque which I've been to in their two previous locations.
LE CIRQUE151 E. 58th Street, NYC
22 July 2011
Met John and Dick at Le Cirque on this sweltering day. John and I started with the Pork, Porcini and Pistachio Terrine while Dick had the Salad "Le Cirque." John and I had the Pan-seared Monkfish with Forbidden Rice, shiitaki-like mushrooms and a light infusion of tomato. Dick had the Skate a la Grenobloise. The dessert was Ricotta Mousse Cake for Dick and me while John had the Plum Tart. Everyone was thoroughly delighted!
TAO42 E. 58th Street, NYC
20 July 2011
Tao is a cavernous tri-level restaurant with a huge Buddha and Asiatic decor. We arrived before noon. They ushered us to a nice table near the giant statue. Unfortunately they were still moving tables and chairs around so it was a bit noisy. Then music blasted on the second level which they mercifully toned down quickly. Thought it was going downhill from there but the waiter was very nice and the food was good so all's well that ends well.
My appetizer was Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce; main course was Soy Salmon with Soba; dessert was Zen Parfait. They were all satisfyingly good. We both had Singha beer also.
Valerie started with Salad Lo Mein, her main course was also Salmon, and for dessert she had Ginger Fruit. Overall, the food was good and Valerie said she'll be back!
DBGB299 Bowery, NYC
18 July 2011
DBGB is not impressive from outside but the bar and the dining area are quite nice. Names of famous chefs are listed all around the top shelves of the restaurant's bodega-like decor.
I started with a refreshing Belgian beer, Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel. For starters I had Chilled Corn Soup with peekytoe crab, almonds and thai basil while Terence started with the Rillettes de Jamboneau Provençal, pulled ham hock with tomato and zucchini. Then we both had House-Made Lamb Merquez Sausage with minted couscous and braised spinach. For dessert we had Chocolate Gateau, a caramel chocolate mousse brownie cake with toasted marshmallow. Quite satisfying.
RIVERPARK450 E. 29th Street, NYC
13 July 2011
I started with Charred Eggplant & Goat Cheese Bruschetta; Terence had the Spanish Gazpacho. Then I had the Roasted Branzino with fingerling potatoes, pickled red onion, capers and salsa verde; Terence had the Pork Fettuccine with tomatoes and oregano. Lastly, I had the Chocolate Pot de Crème with caramel sandwich cookies; Terence had the Beignets with vanilla custard and strawberry preserves. Nice ending to a nice lunch!
NOBU105 Hudson Street, NYC
11 July 2011
Started Restaurant Week with lunch at Nobu with Tim. What a sweltering day but turned out in the cool restaurant we had quite an excellent start: Squid Pasta for me and Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing for Tim. Then Arctic Charr with crispy baby spinach for me while Tim had Chicken with Articucho Sauce. Dessert was Tiramisu. All in all a great lunch!
CHEZ MOIUpper East Side, Manhattan
25 November 2010
FCI grad Chef Tim prepared Thanksgiving dinner for us. Entrée: Bourbon and sage gravlax with sour cream, capers, shallots. Poisson: Scallops with papaya purée, chive oil, lardon, pickled mustard seeds. Viande: Rack of lamb, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts with dried cranberries and walnuts, in veal reduction. Dessert: Coffee charlotte with chocolate sauce.
Had Campari and soda before dinner; Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay with the gravlax and the scallops; 2007 Blackstone Sonoma Reserve Merlot with the lamb; and finally some Delamain Cognac after dinner.
THE WRIGHT RESTAURANTThe Guggenheim Museum
New York City
1 November 2010
Took my friend Tim for his birthday and for his recent graduation from the French Culinary Institute to this beautifully designed restaurant and we had a wonderful meal!
He started with Market Greens salad and I had Baby Octopus Mosaic.
Tim had the Dorade and I had the pan-seared smoked King Salmon, accompanied by the Spanish white wine Albariño; shared the Valrhona Chocolate Mousse with walnut caramel, nougat and praline, and Concord grape ice cream. The chef invited us to see the kitchen after our wonderful meal.
CASA CALVET
Carrer de Carp, 48
Barcelona, Spain
3 May 2010
Dinner tonight was at the Gaudí-designed building Casa Calvet. I started with a glass of Kir Royale then ordered Ou de Calaf (Calaf egg, slowly simmered, on a bed of Lyonnaise potatoes with summer truffle sauce). Never thought an egg could taste like this! My main course was Llom de lluç amb navalles (grilled lamb chops with tomato garlic mayonnaise, carrots and onion tempura) paired with a very nice Gran Reserva rioja wine. For dessert, I had Mango ravioli with yogurt and basil ice cream followed by a generous serving of Delamain cognac. What a nice farewell dinner in beautiful Barcelona!
ELS QUATRE GATS
Carrer de Montsió, 3 bis
Barcelona, Spain
2 May 2010
The Els Quatre Gats restaurant is located in the Barrio Gotíc area and famous for being the place where artists like Picasso and Utrillo, composer Albeniz hung out. It opened on 12 June 1897 on the ground floor of Casa Martí which was designed by Puig.
I met two Japanese girls while waiting for my table and I invited them to join me at my table. We shared mussels marinara, meat croquettes and a variety of olives, as our appetizers. Also ordered a bottle of rioja.
For my main course I ordered duck confit with apple compote and walnut liquer . Asami had seafood ravioli and Noriko had roast chicken Catalan-style with prunes and pine kernels. Excellent meal!
PAUL BOCUSE
L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges
Lyon, France
30 May 2007
Monsieur Bocuse came to our table and posed with us to our delight. I had the Dodine de canard à l’ancienne pistachée et foie gras de canard maison for appetizer with a glass of Kir Royale and the Carré d’agneau "Côtes Premières" rôti à la fleur de thym for my main course with a glass of red wine from the region. For dessert I had Oeufs à la neige Grand-Mère Bocuse. I was in epicurean heaven!
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