Daily Archives: December 29, 2015

NYC – 11/14/15 – Bruno

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I went into Bruno frankly not expecting to like it very much.  I am very particular about pizza crust and from all accounts this wasn’t of the type that I favored.  Perhaps because I had such low expectations I actually did enjoy this pizza.  The toppings were delicious and while not my preference, the crust was a very good version of what it was aiming to be.  But reference to Bruno as a pizzeria is somewhat misleading in that it takes away from the rest of the menu.  And it was the other dishes that I was very impressed by.  On my next visit I will likely skip the pizza altogether as there are just too many other good dishes.  My only criticism is that the very bright lighting may be great for food photography but creates a very harsh ambience. And I must agree with Pete Wells that the seating is beyond uncomfortable.

Celery root – cured salmon, autumn olives, lovage, skyr, rye Duck liver mousse – quinoa, quince, kamut crackers

‘Nduja pizza – spicy pork, cauliflower, Dorset, tomato
 Local squid – hatch chile, charred onion, wild sumac

NYC – 11/12/15 – Momofuku Ko

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While I probably will not make a list of my favorite dining experiences of 2015, if I were to do so this dinner would easily be in my top 5.  This was my first time sitting at one of the two tables instead of the counter and certainly some of the presentations are just far more impressive for a larger group.  There was not one course which I did not absolutely love which is consistent with previous visits.  Our essentially second course could have been a meal in itself and if it had ended at that point I would have gone home very happy.  If there were not any witnesses I probably would have eaten the guinea hen to the point of making myself sick.  Food aside I just love the entire environment of Ko 2.0.  I am often down on friendliness of service in New York restaurants but Ko embodies the concept of hospitality.  Now that I am somewhat thinking about my favorite experiences of this past year, the stand outs are the ones that not only have amazing food and impeccable service but also have figured out, for lack of a better description, the ‘it’ factor in hospitality.  I am definitely looking forward to many more visits in 2016.

a blank canvas
 vegetable roll.  pommel soufflés.  lobster paloise.  millefeuille.
  black bass, madai, uni, mackerel, chickpea, finger lime, bonji, shiso, sudachi
   razor clam – apple, basil
 siberian sturgeon caviar – radish, potato
 sourdough bread & radish butter
 halibut – cauliflower, hungarian pepper
guinea hen – matsutake, black vinegar
   celery root – white truffle, tandoori
 beef – daikon, scallion
 foie gras – lychee, pine nut, riesling jelly
 carrot cardamom – meringue
 pistachio – apricot
chocolate – fernet branca
  

NYC – 11/11/15 – Gabriel Kreuther

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I had been meaning to get to Gabriel Kreuther since it opened but too often when I am in midtown and able to dine out for lunch I default to Le Bernardin.  But upon finding myself 2 blocks away with a lunch break it seemed like the perfect opportunity.  The autumn salad was beautiful and I’ve since tried to replicate the aesthetic at home.  As they always are, the tart flambeé was very tasty (although it admittedly did not sit very well in my stomach).  The space is more beautiful in person than it appeared in photos and its great to have another option in an area of the city that I find myself in often.

Autumn salad – sunflower seeds, pomegranate vinaigrette
 Tarte flambee – hen of the woods mushrooms, comte cheese, chive, nutmeg, onion

NYC – 11/9/15 – Gotham Bar and Grill

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It has been an embarrassingly long time since I have been to Gotham Bar & Grill and I need to make much more of an effort to visit my old favorites and New York classics in 2016.  I went for the burger which was perfect and one of the few where I actually ate the entire bun and didn’t feel like it was too much.  But as good as the burger was, it may have been overshadowed by the seafood salad.  It is not even something I would typically order and I can’t recall why I did this particular day.  The seafood was cooked perfectly and the portion size was substantial.  The refreshing vinaigrette perhaps made it seem to be more of a ceviche than what I traditionally think of when I hear ‘seafood salad’ and was probably why I loved it so much.  Definitely a dish I will be returning for very soon.

Cider tree- mount gay black barrel rum, calvados, apple butter, allspice dram, cinnamon Seafood salad – scallops, squid, spanish octopus, lobster, sweet shrimp, avocado and lemon vinaigrette
 Gotham burger – plymouth tomme cheddar, vermont bacon-onion jam, lemon aioli, kennebec french fries

NYC – 11/6/15 – Lupulo

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Lupulo has quickly become one of my favorite new places.  Proximity to where I often workout does not hurt as I am typically starving when I walk by.  But everything on the menu is fantastic and the red snapper I could easily eat everyday (and if it were less expensive I would double order).  My only criticism is that I don’t really love anything on the wine’s by the glass list and think the selections could be improved.  Nonetheless Lupulo will remain in heavy rotation!

Red snapper cru – red snapper, coconut milk, kaffir-lime broth, fermented serrano, benne seeds
 Pato coracoes – grilled duck hearts with pickled mango, shishito peppers, pimenton
 Beterrabas com hortela e coco – roasted and smoked beets with mint, coconut

NYC – 11/5/15 – Barbuto

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What a completely amazing day to be dining outdoors in November in NYC.  Barbuto truly is a classic that never disappoints and still the chicken by which all others are still measured.

gin martini and negroni
 pollo al forno – jw chicken & salsa verde
 pizza stagionale – dates, speck, balsamic, trevisano & point reyes blue
 bucatini alla carbonara – pancetta, farm egg & black pepper
 manhattan

NYC – 11/2/15 – Le Bernardin

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There is no better way to forget about an unpleasant morning doctor’s appointment than to stop at Le Bernardin for lunch. Consistently impeccable and always my favorite lunch in NYC. As an added bonus I made two new friends sitting at the bar, something that rarely ever happens in a city where everybody tends to keep their heads down.

Aristocrat – Ransom Old Tom Gin, La Quintinye Vermouth Royal, Le Bernardin Grapefruit Cordial, Ginger Basil Reduction   
 Yellowfin Tuna – ultra rare seared tuna, spiced herb salad, citrus-soy-ginger dressing 
 Striped Bass – black striped bass, fennel and leek compote, bouillabaisse broth 
 Sorbets 
 

Lisbon – 10/31/15 – Cantinho do Avillez

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Ending my weekend of Jose Avillez restaurants was Cantinho do Avillez and not to take anything away from Belcanto but this may have been my favorite.  I can’t recall the name of my first cocktail or the ingredients but it was essentially an adult Orange Julius which remains my favorite part of going to the mall to this day.  The head cheese was hands down my favorite head cheese dish ever.  I wasn’t so sure when I ordered about the mustard and pickles sauce but it was completely fantastic and the most memorable dish of this trip.  And surprisingly the black pork one of the best pork dishes I have had in ages.


Head cheese, mustard and pickles sauce, capers and shredded egg
 Baked ‘Nisa’ cheese with ham and rosemary honey

Alentejo black pork, French fries, coriander and garlic ‘farofa’ with black beans
   Fruit salad with mojito foam