Category: restaurant

Eleven Madison Park

with grated gruyere – 2006
Cappuccino with peektoe crab and cauliflower – 2006
Clambake with veloute and parker house rolls – 2011
Clambake with veloute and parker house rolls – 2011
Clambake with veloute and parker house rolls – 2011
Roulade with Avocado And Yogurt – 2007
Torchon with Maple Syrup and Pain D’Epice – 2004
Torchon with Maple Syrup and Pain D’Epice – 2004
Tartare with rye toast and condiments – 2012
Poached Zucchini and Squash Blossom – 2007
Black Truffle celery root, potato, and chevre frais – 2009
Confit with Rhubarb, leeks, and cipollini onion
with dehydrated milk foam and bee pollen – 2010
Palette with Peanut Butter and Popcorn Ice Cream

Fortunately, I was able to come to Eleven Madison Park before it shut down for the summer for renovations. It was a very lovely (late, as in 9.45pm reservations!) evening of ridiculously good food. The menu consisted of 11 dishes from 11 years that the restaurant was open that were crowd favorites. The service was impeccable and it was very enjoyable to be seated facing the room. It made people watching much more fun while eating perfectly flavored and beautifully plated food.

I was very full afterwards (so not sure what yelpers are talking about with the tiny amounts of food..) and the plate of dessert and apple brandy for the last course was a very nice touch. Definitely a once in a lifetime meal!

P.S. They gift you a jar of granola for breakfast. I may be eating some of it right now.

Eleven Madison Park
11 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Brasserie 8 1/2

Long Island Duck Breast, Red Cabbage, Pumpkin Flan, Roasted Apples, Black Currant Gastrique
Golden Beets, Fromage Blanc, Salmon Pearls, Horseradish
Braised Beef Short Ribs Whipped Parsnips, Apple Smoked Bacon, Brussels Sprouts
Lemon Cake, Raspberry Frangipane, Crème Anglaise

I have never been a big fan of NYC Restaurant Week but it is great for discovering restaurants. I have passed by this building many times and never thought there was a restaurant downstairs. It is a very beautiful venue where you enter the bar and lounge area after the winding stairs. The seating in the dining room is spread out, very atypical of a New York City restaurant establishment!

Though the food is not really worth writing home about (other than the perfectly cooked medium rare duck!), it is a great place to have a nice, quiet dinner. No obnoxiously loud music and the waiters are very attentive. Come here and  enjoy the ambience.

Tip: This place has 1 dollar oysters during Happy Hour in the bar and lounge area. Perfect for midtown slurping after work!

Brasserie 8 1/2
9 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019

Taste Good

naan with curry

The service is quick, food is cheap, and all the sauces are on point at this Elmhurst located restaurant. The satay is okay but you can make it better by dipping it in the sweet chili sauce next to the hainanese rice. This totally satisfied my craving for roti canai!

Tip: Bring CASH and order all the things. I certainly did!

Taste Good
82-18 45th Ave, Elmhurst, NY 11373

Union Square Cafe

Duck Confit & Chanterelle Sugo, Brussels Sprouts, Honeynut Squash
Grilled Avocado, Crispy Olives, Orange
Salsa Verde, Roasted Potatoes, Arugula
White Chocolate-Almond Clusters, Concord Grape Sorbet

Union Square Cafe reopens in Gramercy/Flatiron district and it looks brand spanking new and classy as hell! There are two bars, downstairs and upstairs and two levels of table seating area.

Tip: The Lamb Shank is a great dish to share. It is this humongous piece of meat on bone with a side of perfectly cooked fingerling potatoes and arugula.

Union Square Cafe
101 E 19th St, New York, NY 10003

Paowalla

Wild Mushrooms
Apple, Peanuts, Mint & Tamarind
Served with Chickpeas, Steamed Rice, Coconut-Fingerling Potatoes-Shishito

I have never been to a modern Indian restaurant until this one. I really enjoyed every dish but the portions are a bit small. It is probably a good idea to order a few appetizers and and a main course per person. You will be able to try out different things this way.

Drinks wise, I really like the double insulated cups! The cocktails are good but the mixes are a bit inconsistent.

Tip: Try to arrive before 1pm on the weekend. It gets pretty busy!

Paowalla
195 Spring St., New York, NY 10012

The Modern Dining Room Take 2!

coconut ice cream with mango
Elderflower Yogurt and White Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
Macerated Strawberry and Anise Hyssop Ice Cream

I came back for dinner with a few friends as there was some celebrations to be had! Apologies for the dimly lited photos as this was a bit hurried.

This 2 Michelin starred place is still as good as ever. It is the perfect place to indulge, especially if you have a seafood preference. They have meat options as well so that satisfies certain individuals who may be allergic! The desserts, which are made in house, creates a perfect end to the evening.

Hint: Hospitality is included so you do not have to tip on top of the total bill.

Izakaya NoMad

jp pepper
beef tongue

Feel like having a variety of foods grilled for you Japanese style? This is the place to be if you are around the NoMad/Flatiron area. Definitely get the mochi wrapped in smoked bacon (for that difference in texture) and beef tongue. I know, I know, beef tongue sounds gross but it’s good. Just think of it as regular beef and your stomach will thank your brain.

Hint: Bring a friend so you can share more different types of dishes!

izakaya NoMad
13 W 26th St, New York, NY 10010

Uncle Boons

Spicy Tamarind Margarita, Chili Sugar RIm
Thai Style blood sausage, kaffir lime and herbs wrapped in banana leaf
Boneless Beef Ribs with Massaman Curry, Potato, Red Onion, Peanut and Green Peppercorn
whole charcoal roasted dorade with charred leeks and nam prik diping sauces
Pea shoots with garlic, chiles
champagne mango, condensed milk, sticky rice, coconut

Favs: everything! I don’t think there was anything I do not like here. What’s not to like? Fish? Gooood. Blood sausage? Gooood. Mango with sticky rice? Goood.

I don’t think you can go wrong with picking any of the dishes here. Come early as they get busy real quick.

Warning for the people with seafood allergies: they put it in just about everything, even if it’s not labelled. Shrimp paste/flavoring is a common ingredient, even in the vegetables. Be careful!

Uncle Boons
7 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

NoMad

sheep’s milk cheese & lamb sausage
sheep’s milk cheese & lamb sausage
With braised short rib, rosemary & cabbage
with frisée, pickles & pommery mustard
with ricotta, quail egg & salsa verde
with ricotta, quail egg and salsa verde
brioche, foie gras, black truffle mayonnaise with pickles and fries
brioche, foie gras, black truffle mayonnaise with pickles and fries
salt-baked with parmesan and black truffles
shortbread, brittle and ice cream
ice cream with chocolate crunch

This place is huge. There must be at least 4 areas where you can get seated. To begin, the Parlour room is an excellent choice. The ambience is very soft and so is the chairs. It is just bright enough where you don’t have to squint at your menu or pull out your flashlight. Then, have your dessert in the beautifully decorated library where you can sip cocktails and chat away.

Tip: Come here for lunch and splurged on the $34 two course prix-fixe menu. You avoid the crowd and get to eat to your heart’s content.

Favorite Dishes: tete de cochon, scotch olives, and milk and honey ice cream dessert

Cha-An Teahouse

This place ended up being a great second choice to Boise Tea Parlor when it’s closed for a private party (boo!). You can get your craving of tea, have a decently priced lunch, and indulge on the desserts at Cha-An.

Lunch Set:

Now I am on the search for 7 grain rice to make on my own since the one that comes with the lunch set is so delicious.

Individual Desserts:

Closer look at the Chef Dessert Sampler:

from Chef Sampler
from Chef Sampler
from Chef Sampler

The desserts are not overly sweet and the chef sampler allows you try many different things. If I have to pick a favorite? Anything with mochi is a good choice. But only if you like mochi!

Cha-an Teahouse
230 East 9th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10003