Thursday, May 29, 2008

Benoit

Celebrity chef, Alain Ducasse opened 2 new restaurants on the same streets.
One is Adour at St. Regis Hotel. The other one is Benoit. French Bistro from Paris.
Benoit in Paris opened in 1912, and received 1 star from Michelin for the first time as a bistro.
in 2005, Alain Ducasse acquired Benoit from owner.

First, Alain opened Benoit Tokyo in Japan in 2005, then Benoit came to NY this year.

Benoit Tokyo has a great interior design, and it looks more like high end place... but Benoit NY is more like classic french bistro.... similar atmosphere as Balthazar, Pastis...



















Menu is pretty simple bistro menu.


French Onion Soup


















I always like when Onion soup comes to the table... smells great with cheese flavor.
This is very simple dish, but I can taste a lot of Sherry. Need a little salt, but I liked a taste over all.


Duck Foie Gras Confit with Parisienne Brioche


















As you can see, there were so much fat, and taste was a little too greasy.
I am not sure they did this on purpose, but I think this is a way too over powering to your mouth for appertizer.


I actually did not order any main dish, so I ordered 2 above apps.
I did not feel for any of main dish unfortunately..


By having only 2 dishes above, I rather go to Balthazar, Pastis...
But I definitely would like to come back and try some main dish before I say anything further..


Benoit NY
66 West 55th Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
New York, New York
646-943-7373

Sunday, May 18, 2008

15 East

15 East is one of my favorite Sushi restaurants in NY.

There are only about 9 seats at sushi counter, so you must make reservation in advance.


Interior is very simple yet modern.


I always order "omakase" which is chef tasting menu.
Sushi chef is Makoto Shimizu from Japan. He used to work at Jewel Bako.
His sushi creation is very beautiful, and most of fish are imported from Japan.


Tuna (Maguro)


















Sea urchin (Uni) is always good here...melting in your mouth. Very sweet.
15 East also serves great handmade soba noodle (see above picture). They are delicious.


$150-$200 per person. But I think it is definitely worth paying that much.
I go there every month, as I always crave their sushi.


15 East
15 E 15th St
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 647-0015