NYC Tastes

Mr. T and I were two of only eight lucky people to score opening night reservations for Dominique Ansel's dessert only tasting menu Unlimited Possibilities (aka U.P.).  The tiny space above Dominique Ansel Kitchen was transformed into a cozy candlelit space with jazz music playing overhead and table that descended from the ceiling for us to dine (check out his table descending video  here ). The meal began with an array of fresh veggies, a little something raw to cleanse the palate for the desserts to come. The eight course tasting menu was designed around the "first" of everything in life.  Dominique explained that he not only wanted to focus on the flavors but also recreate the emotions that went along with each of these experiences.  A week before dining each guest received an email asking to reply with his/her first word and course number one was designed around each response. First Word - sweet pea, rice milk, gin, carrot cake, yogur...

I've always admired restaurants that change their menu based on the farmers market, but I've never had a meal that truly showcased the season with such artfulness as Juni.   My aptly named appetizer the Spring Inspiration arrived in a cloud of smoke that hung suspended in air like dense fog rolling across the grass on a chilly April morning.  Once the smoke cleared a stunning field of snow peas, asparagus and microgreens appeared; like budding flowers arising from their winter slumber. A gorgeous Nova Scotia Halibut studded with lush greens and chickpeas evoked visions of a secluded koi pond just basking in the rays of the early season sun. Of course these are only my interpretations of the food, perhaps Chef Hergatt had a completely different vision when creating these gorgeous plates.  But one thing is certain...this man is a master at his craft and I can't think of a more incredible way to celebrate Spring. Juni 12 East 31st Street betwe...

Looking to have a five star meal in NYC without the hefty price tag? The answer is lunch.  Many of the city's best restaurants offer prix-fix deals during the week so you get the same amazing food and atmosphere at a fraction of the cost.  Here's my picks for the best: Juni The quiet sophistication of the room and innovative menu creations by Chef Shawn Hergatt always make for a delightful afternoon.  The food is absolutely stunning and with two different pricing options and a vegetarian tasting menu just about anyone can find something to love.  The Deal- Two Courses $34, Three Courses $39 or Five Course Vegetarian Tasting for $55 Pro Tip- Don't overlook the tiny silver bowl on the table filled with olive tapanade The Nomad Good luck scoring a dinner reservation at the perennially packed Nomad.  Reservations fill up 30 days in advance and the trendy scene can feel a bit overwhelming.  Opt instead for lunch when the crowds are qu...

Restaurant Week is a great excuse to meet up with old friends, try out a brand new place and share a little bit of everything OR you could go to an old favorite, order the same exact thing as your dining mate and still have an incredible time, which is basically what Carrie and I did at Park Avenue Winter. We both began with the Peekytoe Crabcake, a crisp buttery mound of fresh crab meat with hearts of palm and citrus... ...followed by the Lobster Salad, a $10 supplement on the RW menu but totally worth it for the huge hunks of lobster meat, ripe avocado and fennel.  Both of these dishes were just so fresh and light, a fantastic departure from the usual winter menus filled with root vegetables and beef.  Oh and don't forget about those wonderful Parker House rolls with butter and rosemary. The only time we ordered different items was dessert.  For some reason I just couldn't pass up the Sticky Toffee Pudding. This was a standard Pudding with sliced banana on ...

Monday was such an awesome day.  I got a text from my brother Mike saying he was stuck at LaGuardia Airport. Since I already had the day off from work I suggested we meet up for lunch so he cabbed it into the city and headed to The Nomad for their new $29 two course lunch menu.  Meals at The Nomad always begin with a beautiful fresh baked loaf of bread that fills the room with the sweet aroma of rosemary, dill and yeast. This bread has the perfect texture, crispy on top but chewy in the middle with sliced potatoes and rye seeds scattering the outside.  It would be have been easy to demolish this entire thing and ask for more but somehow we showed some restraint until the appetizers arrived. The same Carrot Tartare from the Nomad Bar makes an appearance on the menu here; plated simply with winter greens and rye chips.  This is easily one of my favorite dishes in the city right now and my brother agreed.  There's just something about that nut...

Benchmark is a cozy little place in Park Slope  just off the main drag of 4th Avenue.  The restaurant has a gorgeous canopy out front and a tiny but cute bar inside, not to mention one of the best prix-fix deals in town. Benchmark offers a three course lunch with options like Lobster Bisque, Braised Beef Short Rib and Pan Seared Crab Cakes for the incredible price of $18. I was eyeing the Lobster Bisque but then I read the full description of the salad and was completely won over.  Organic Seasonal Lettuces with crisp yuca, radish confit, goat cheese and truffle vinaigrette. I can't pass up anything with truffle these days and this dressing was just what I love... strong earthy truffles mixed with big dollops of creamy goat cheese...the perfect pairing.  Onto entree the Benchmark Burger with hand cut fries and homemade fixins. The burger comes with your choice of cheese and they place it directly on the bottom bun of the burger rather than on top of ...

If food is art then Shawn Hergatt may be the Picasso of our time.  The most recent lunch with my friend Carrie was a breathtaking display of colors and textures that just seemed to dance across the plate. Haas Avocado- Spot prawn- Cucumber Blossom Tapioca-Local Black Bass- Iberico Chocolate- Lovage- Oats Everything from start to finish was exquisite.  There were multiple times throughout the meal where we would both go silent, as if our taste buds were commanding us to focus solely on the incredible flavors in each dish; like the delicate sweetness of the tapioca pearls elevating a simple fish to extraordinary levels.  For $35 this 3 course meal is an absolute steal. Sweet Corn Beignets drizzled with honey and Green Tea Macadamia were a parting gift from the chef....just a small delicious reminder of the amazing meal....