Per Se

Ok, so the previous post (now removed) was a tease to say that we did also get to Thomas Keller's Per Se when we were in NY (as we little by little try to work our way through this list).

Suffice it to say that we had a terrific meal without flaw, no surprise there. But we were surprised by how warm and open the service was. In most of my (admittedly somewhat limited) experience with restaurants of this calibre (and there aren't many) service was professional and proficient but at the cost of individual personality and charm - making the whole experience a bit stiff.

The case here was the opposite and despite the fact that we were overlooking Columbus Circle there was an intimacy to the whole experience that we genuinely enjoyed.

(the photos are a bit ordinary, apologies we were too focussed on the eating)

Amuse

"Oysters and Pearls" - "sabayon" of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and Russian Sevruga Caviar

"Torchon" of Moulard Duck Foie Gras - Pickled Bing Cherries, Pistachio "crumble", "Sylvetta," Balsamic reduction and toasted brioche

Pan Seared Fillet of Sturgeon - Smoked Sturgeon "Rillettes" Roasted Beets, "Melted" Leeks with Horseradish-Golden Beet Emulsion

(Photo MIA is Minestrone - Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster, Spiring Pole Beans, Hand Rolled "Trizzi," Lobster "Consomme" and Armando Manni "Per Me" Olive Oil 2002)

All-day Braised Four Story Hill Farm's Pork Shoulder - Braised Collard Greens, Tokyo turnips

Rib-Eye of Nature Fed Veal 'Roti a la brioche" - "Ragout" of "Ris de Veau," Greenmarket carrots, Bluefoot Mountain Mushrooms and English Peas with Anson Mills White Corn Polenta "Croutons" and Veal Jus

Burrata - "Pain de Campagne," Sweet 100 Tomatoes and "Petites" Basil Leaves with Garden Basil Syrup and Tomato oil

Tarte au Chocolate Noir Acidule - Yuzu-scented Chocolate Ganache Grahma cracker dust and Lemon-Verbena Infused Lemon Curd Ice Cream

(Photo MIA is Strawberry Sorbet - Vanilla "Chiboust," Strawberry "Jam" and "Coulis de Creme Fraiche")

Mignardises

Take home Macrons

Comments

[YL]

Looks fabulous. I'm jealous :)
I noticed that your pictures get darker as the dishes progress. Did they turn the lights down over the course of the evening, or did you guys just have a really long lunch?

[Sean]

Ha. Very Observant.

Actually they only have two sittings each night at PerSe a 5:30 start or a 10pm start (we had to book two months in advance to get a 5:30)

Because it was summer it was light for the first few hours and then eventually, the sun went down over our terrific view across Columbus Circle and into Central Park.