NYC Tastes

Restaurant Week is upon us once again and this year we kicked it off at Park Avenue Summer, the gorgeous NoMad spot known for it's fantastic RW options and seasonal decor.   Even knowing this was such a popular place we forgot to make a lunch reservation and were relegated to dining at the bar.  This was a fine excuse to indulge in one of their delightful cocktails the Papa's Pineapple Sumaquiri made with Bacardi Ocho and sumac. Their signature cornbread arrived first, piping hot and served with spicy jalapeno butter.  I usually try not to fill up on bread but these were too delicious to resist.  1st Course- Tuna Tartare with champagne mango and avocado.  A classic preparation of light, cooling ingredients perfect for these soaring temperatures. 2nd Course- Green Circle Chicken with roasted summer squash and grilled lemon.  I honestly forgot grilled lemon was listed as an ingredient, so my first bite of that sharp citrus fruit hidde...

I love Park Avenue Winter; the concept of changing not only the menu, but the entire decor of a restaurant for each season is just amazing.  Bright rays of yellow dot the ceiling in the summer, brown and gold leaves in fall, and in winter an elegant sheath of white sprinkled with sparkling glass globes.  It's simply stunning.  Now they've introduced a nightly wine dinner where guests can chose any appetizer, entree and dessert with unlimited tastings of four different wines for just $69. Our meal began with glasses of Prosecco as we mulled over the extensive choices for dinner.  Then it was onto a bright, grassy Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, which paired perfectly with my blood orange & chili Hamchi Curdo. Next a lovely Pinot Noir from California poured alongside a Roasted Halibut dressed with earthy black truffles...  ...and to finish a hearty Antinori Sangiovese with dessert. Once we tasted our way through all four wines we were free...

I have always wanted to try Park Avenue (any season all seasons) but it always seemed so pricey. So when I noticed it on the Restaurant Week List this year I jumped on the reservation. Unfortunately they only offer a lunch so I had to take a half day of work. Luckily Mr. T's office is nearby so he was able to meet me for lunch and still bring home the bacon:) I walked inside about 20 minutes early and was greeted warmly by the maître d' and receptionist. Since Mr. T wasn't there yet I grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered a beer from their summer beer list. This is the first "summer" thing I noticed. They had 3 beers, all wheat, listed for summer beer enjoyment. I thought this was kind of neat- wheat beer is great in the summer because it has that lemony thirst quenching ability- so why not highlight it? They also had a very nice white wine sangria special which many people were drinking. It came with some blueberries and raspberries floating in the bottom. It...