patrick and i have been so busy going here and there, we decided that this weekend was to be devoted to our beloved manhattan. it all began on friday night, and work was done for the week. there was an excitement in the air! patrick had received a bonus from his job, and so we wanted to celebrate in style! we were able to get reservations at tom colicchio's restaurant, craft, but i couldn't show up to a top chef's eatery looking like i just babysat all day. so, as patrick was walking his way to me, i stopped by anthropologie in rockefeller plaza to fin a new shirt and hair accessory (unfortunately i did not have time to get new shoes, and so i was left to wear my beat up converse all stars...oh well).
we set off from there in a cab, and when we arrived it was like a dream come true! the decor inside was cool, industrial, sexy, yet comfortable all at the same time. patrick convinced me to order the tasting menu (we both had to get it in order to try it), and thus we commenced on a culinary adventure, trying new things and divulging in delicious flavors. this is what we had.
course 1- raw tuna with cured lemon, field greens and wasabi salt. this is the first time i have ever had tuna sashimi style in my life, and being a big texture person (eww to the mushy, slimy things out there) i was a little hesitant to try this. however, the texture was rather tender like meat, not slimy like i had imagined. i learned my lesson right then and there that i cannot judge a food until i have given it a go. that way i could truly enjoy the rest of the menu.
course 2- crab and sea urchin fondue. this was rich in flavor and smooth in texture. it was sheer heaven on earth! it was my second time tasting sea urchin, and the second time i did not like it. but the crab and cheesy sauce i inhaled!
course 3- a white fish (i totally forget the name of it) with crispy fried skin, with a lovely sauce of snails and cockles. for those of you who have never had the pleasure of eating snails before, please do not stick your nose up at the idea. try it! you might like what you taste. the texture is meaty, not chewy, and snail has an earthy flavor. it was so amazing with all the flavors that was put together in that dish, and i am glad i tried it.
course 4- blue footed chicken with black truffle shavings the chicken was complemented with root vegetables and a flavorful stock. this was a tasty course and was much more in my comfort zone.
course 5- beef cheek and 30 day aged sirloin sided by bone marrow. the cheek was tender and fell apart then melted in your mouth. the sirloin was perfectly crusted on the outside in buttery goodness, and perfectly pink on the inside. the sauce brought out the flavors of the beef very well. the marrow, on the other hand, was not my favorite. where the flavor was tasty, the texture left little to desire for me. patrick did not seem to mind and gobbled his up. it is just a matter of preference, really.
course 6- a vanilla bean panna cotta topped with kumquats paired with blood orange sorbet. this was a perfect course to cleanse the palette. the panna cotta was velvety and not too sweet. so good!!!
course 7- our final tasting! chocolate tart with cheesecake ice cream, candied cashews, and a cinnamon sauce. this was my favorite of the night! it was rich, satisfying, and chocolate!
so the meal was FANTASTIC, and the service was impeccable, so much so that i would say that this is my second favorite restaurant in the city (the first is blue hill...but this is a close second). and that was how our weekend began! more to come next blog around.
this is beth signing off.
mission accomplished.
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