The first time I tried to visit Flora Bar was unfortunately Super Bowl sunday and it was closed. It obviously took me a long time to make a second attempt but was certainly worth the effort.
snow crab with miso mayonnaise
tuna tartare, sunflower, and hijiki
sea bream crudo with pomelo and chrysanthemum
chicories with pears, hazelnuts and Bayley Hazen Blue
potato and raclette croquettes
Futsu squash and black truffle tart
lobster and crab dumplings in yuzu broth
Cafe Boulud seems to have become the place for the most frequent family dinners on the UES. It was one of the first places I dined when I moved to NYC longer ago than I care to admit, and is just as solid as it was back then.
seafood ceviche – shrimp, scallop, tomato, yucca
beef duo “makgalbijjim” – braised shortrib, wagyu bavette, housemade kimchee
Running right off of the plate….
madelines
I was going to pretend this whole experience did not happen and not include it on this blog at all. But the show I went to see was fantastic, so thankfully there was something redeeming about Cafe Carlyle other than the entertainment and company. My pre-show cocktail in Bemelmans was perfect, albeit it overpriced. There was a $75 minimum for the show and in retrospect I should have just spent it all on drinks. The shrimp cocktail I ordered was an insulting $28, or $5.60 per shrimp. Yet it seemed a better option than the salads which were nearly as expensive and looked pitiful. My steak frites was overcooked and was an even more insulting $59. At Minetta Tavern the excellent steak frites is currently $36. And even at Balthazar which is too touristy but more classic, the steak frites only comes in at $41. I clearly have no problem spending a lot of money on food but when the price is so completely unjustified based on the food quality and service (which frankly sucked) I can’t help but think of the things I would have rather spent this money on. Its really sad that a NY classic is not even trying.
Sidecar
Jumbo shrimp cocktail
Steak frites – grilled 12 oz. rib eye, julienne fries, chimichurri
If only I did not have to work I could easily slip into a ladies who lunch upper east side lifestyle and Vaucluse is a perfect spot. The poireaux vinaigrette completely lived up to my very high expectations after reading several rave reviews of this dish. I’m not sure that I could order anything else from the hors d’oeuvres section of the menu when I return. The Vaucluse version of the white label burger is actually a perfect French take on the original white label burger. But I must admit that I love the original white label burger much more so it looks like a lunch visit to Ai Fiori is in the cards very soon. Apologies but bacon marmalade beats tomato jam every time. 🙂
Poireaux Vinaigrette – grilled leeks, toasted almonds, mustard seed vinaigrette
White Label Burger – aged beef blend, fontine cheese, tomato jam, dijonnaise, frites
One of my earliest NYC restaurant memories is a trip to Cafe Boulud with my aunt & uncle who were visiting from out of town well over a decade ago. That of course was the Andrew Carmellini era and while I don’t remember anything that I ate, I must have loved it as I followed Chef Carmellini when he left to open A Voce. For no reason other the UES seems so far away I hadn’t been back since. So it was appropriate to finally return with my same relatives so many years later. Still lovely so many years later.
Tai Snapper Tartare, caraway, paddlefish caviar, watermelon radish, cucumber dill broth
Crescent Farms Pekin Duck, lavender honey, kasha, currants, turnip, arugula, jus de canard
Colorado Lamb Loin, fava bean, panisse, spring garlic, morel mushroom, jus
Crêpe Cake, poached rhubarb, thyme diplomat, ricotta sorbet
Marrakesh Delight
iwillmakeualist 