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In my admittedly biased opinion, there is no area of the country with better food than the San Francisco Bay Area. But New York? Along with Chicago, it definitely gives the Bay Area a run for its money, and that’s why it’s worth giving some thought now to where to eat during BlogHer ‘10.
In the weeks leading up to next month’s conference, I’ll give you some of my ideas on where you ought to consider eating while you’re visiting the Big Apple, and I hope you’ll share your own ideas (particularly those of you who live in the region!) in the comments. Today, we’ll take a look at worthy splurges: restaurants where you ought to consider making a reservation now so you’re guaranteed a stellar (albeit expensive) dinner in New York during your trip.
Aquavit
I’m going to start with my perennial favorite: Aquavit, which serves up a modern and traditional blend of creative Scandinavian food. Back in a former life, while on a business trip to New York, I had time and budget for an expensive lunch for one, and it remains, to this day, one of the highlights of my dining career. That paced, lovely meal -- marked by gracious service, delicious, creative food and a feeling of peace that carried me through the rest of the trip -- stole my heart away.
Aquavit recently installed executive sous-chef Marcus Jernmark as the head chef, and according to Naomi Shulman of Slashfood, “Jernmark is expected to coax the menu back to the sort of recognizably Scandinavian fare the restaurant was known for when it opened more than twenty years ago.” I am hoping to be able to squeeze in a trip to the dining room while I’m there in August because I’m curious to see how the menu has changed.
Eleven Madison Park
Friends who have recently visited New York have raved about Eleven Madison Park, where 2010 James Beard Award-winner Daniel Humm is at the helm of the kitchen. Julian of Jewelz includes some amazing photos and interesting video in his post about his dinner at Eleven Madison Park.
“There is a precision to the EMP staff that was fun to watch. Whether it was the specific routes they took through the dining room, the table side preparations, or the ironing of the table linens, the movements and actions of the staff were like a carefully choreographed performance.”
Jessica of FoodMayhem experienced the two-course fixe prix lunch menu, which she describes as “an incredible steal.” Perhaps this is a way to get a visit in without breaking the bank?
“Two courses doesn’t sound like that much, but add the gougeres, amuse, fresh breads, and macarons (all complimentary), and you will be full and smiling.”
Le Bernardin
New York’s venerable Le Bernardin is a can’t-miss dining experience that will blow your mind, according to those who have eaten there. In her review of a dinner there on I Flip For Food!, Angela recommends sticking with seafood dishes, which are a specialty of the house.
“While I may have had (one, two) better overall meals food-wise (IN MY ENTIRE LIFE!), dining at Le Bernardin was just a phenomenal and breathtaking experience. If I ever get I chance to dine at the "Temple of Seafood" again, you better believe I will take it.”
Jaded Fork of The Jaded Fork agrees with the evaluation of this stellar restaurant as the place to order fruit of the sea. “To call it a seafood restaurant seems a bit pedestrian, but that’s exactly what it is,” she writes in her photo-laden post. “Except that it’s New York’s finest.”
Molyvos
Molyvos , a nouveau-Greek restaurant in Midtown Manhattan, has long been on my need-to-check-it-out list, and I was reminded by a New York friend that it’s one of her favorite splurges. Though it won’t quite be the Easter season when BlogHer attendees hit the city, check out Stephanie Tefarikis’ write-up on Joonbug’s Cultivated New York about a midnight dinner Molyvos hosted to break the Easter fast -- your
