Per Se (French)

Michelin 3 stars, Thomas Keller's very 1st restaurant in New York

Located on 4th fl in Time Warner building, currently Per Se has just add lunch menu to their service, only open on Fri, Sat and Sunday.. 5 courses for $175 prix fixe (gratitude is included)
Friend Jany came visit and has requested to go back again... this is probably the most expensive lunch I ever spent so far.. 

This classic french restaurant, oversee the entire Columbus Circle and Central Park South, a perfect place for our girls' luncheon gathering on sunday noon..
dinner prix fixe $275

here is what I had on 10/31/2010

Amuse Bouche

• Salmon Rillette  

• puff bakery

1st Course

• Tartar of Atlantic Fluke w cauliflower, green pistachios and apricots "en Vierge" (sauce made from olive oil, lemon juice etc)

2st Course

• Maine Sea Urchin w buckwheat capellini, matsutake mushrooms and black winter truffle emulsion

3nd Course

• Columbia River Sturgeon " Schnitzle", this might sounds weird to have fish prepped in german way... but it taste quit good.. crispy Spatzle,  caramelized savoy cabbage, macoun apples and caper brown butter

4rd Course

• Degustation of Broken Arrow Ranch's Venison w sweet potato confit, honey poached cranberries and "Sauce Poivrade" (A sauce made of beef stock, vinegar, onions, & carrots)

5th Course DESSERT!!!! so nice of them to give each of us different dessert to try out instead of only one on the prix fixe

• "M&M'S" pretzel chips, candied peanuts, madagascar vanilla mousse and mast brother's chocolate ice cream

• "Tropical Tea" passionfruit-chocolate cremeux, earl grey genoise, passionfruit mousse and earl grey ice cream (this got our best vote!!!1)
• "Toffee Apple" apple "creme patissiere, caramel jelly, poached snow apples, root beer soda and caramel ice cream
• "PB & J" peanut parfait, crystallized lemon verbena, toasted virginia peanuts and concord grape sherbet

and FINAL... tons tons of Mignardises....

note: we are also very impressed with its service would definitely give extra tips to the server even the price is including gratitude already... also, feel free to order wide selection of tea and coffee.. it's also including in the price..

good to have you back Jany..... :)

Category: French 

10 Columbus Cir
(between Broadway & W Central Park)
New York, NY 10019
Neighborhoods: Hell's Kitchen, Midtown West

(212) 823-9335

www.perseny.com

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Russel Wright Center

Russel Wright, the industrial designer who brought hight-style dinnerware to the postwar masses, was so tuned in to nature's palette, he transformed the color scheme of the rooms in Manitoga, his private house and studio, to match the change of season all the way down to draperies.
A faithful restoration of this mid-century studio, an hour north of New York City in the river town of Garrison, has been completed. Boulders, birch bark, and other natural accents once again harmonize with surrounding woods and waterfall of the renowned artist's 75 acre spread.


Manitoga, Rte 9D
Garrison, NY
tel: 845 424 3812
http://www.russelwrightcenter.org/redesign/index.html

Brussels Sprouts

• For Brussels sprouts
• 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• For dressing
• 1/4 cup Asian fish sauce (preferably Tiparos brand)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped mint
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro stems
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 (1 1/2-inch) fresh red Thai chile, thinly sliced crosswise, including seeds. (I used dried and halved the amount.)

1. Preheat oven to 450°F with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts, toss with oil, and roast, cut side down on baking sheet, for 20-35 minutes, depending on size and desired taste. They should brown but remain somewhat firm.
2. Meanwhile, stir together the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl.
3. When sprouts are done, transfer to a serving bowl and add just enough dressing to coat. Top with more chopped mint or cilantro

The Adore (French/ Japanese Cafe)

This Japanese/ French tea house has been my favorite since school time.. always sneak down for a cup of coffee and croissant during class break...
In a sunny afternoon, got a table next to the window, heart warming sun shine lightly touching your face. It has been more than 12 years.. still loving this intimate setting cafe, which consistently serving quality sandwiches and pastries... good place to get away from noisy city life and find yourself a peaceful mind here...

Categories: French, Japanese, Bakeries 

17 E 13th St
(between 5th Ave & University Pl)
New York, NY 10003

(212) 243-8742

Eataly (Italian)

spotted.... MB in the store

wow wow wow... this is a mega food court/ supermarket/ cafe all in one store... co-owner Mario Batali brought this Italian market in to New York... it's a fantastic concept for the big apple..

when you first walk in from 5ave entrance, you will find gelato stand, coffee bar, dessert bar and some imported snack stuffs and further in will see few food court sections which are specialized in fish, pasta/ pizza, vegetable and meat, each one occupied its own corner... and.... you can't leave out the salumi/ prosciutto/ cheese bar, enjoy the fresh cut meats and pair with imported wine for a quick meal, like how Italian do...

besides the eating sections, there are also supermarket/ bookstore/ supplies area which are featuring italian specialty and design for customer to purchase.

with all the fancy ideas, the food itself also have "fancy price".. it's pretty much the same price tag as regular restaurants.. so far, i had their fish and pasta.. do sustain MB standard, but i would still prefer to pay that price in a good service 

restaurants....what do you think?

ps. suggest to give yourself  1/2 or an hr table waiting time.. go early to put your name down and walk around the market while you are waiting..

Category: Italian

200 5th Ave
New York, NY 10010
Neighborhood: Flatiron

www.newyork.eataly.it/

Sushi of Gari (Japanese)

This is my #1 sushi/ sashimi restaurant in New York... of course there are other good ones, but Gari is always my first choice when it comes to sushi under higher budget condition...:p

If you are looking for ordinary sushi/sashimi don't come to this place.. check out my other posting for better reference. I would totally recommend their Omakase, with fresh daily catch, each pieces are specially prepared or paired with different ingredient/ sauce, really enhance the taste flavor.

staff services are very friendly, not like some japanese restaurants wouldn't let customer substitute things you don't like.. 

currently they have 3 locations, would not suggest to go UWS, stick with original store on UES. Reservation recommend.

Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese

402 E 78th St
(between 1st Ave & York Ave)
New York, NY 10021

(212) 517-5340

London Trip Fall 2010

This is my 2nd time within 5 years visited London... still love it.. great weather and great food... yea.. don't doubt with what i just said.. that was what i exactly experienced... london is amazing... and i am lucky to enjoy the best part of it...

Summary of my 4 days trip

9/18 day 1

Arrived Heathrow around 11am.. glad we are no longer need visa to go london.. easy passed thru the custom. Thought i should watch my budget and decided to take tube to the hotel... Piccadilly blue line to Piccadilly and transfer Central red line to Oxford Circus (ps. i regret it afterwards... too heavy to carry my big luggage ups and downs, only suggest ppl do it if have "man"power or with small carry-on)... as for tube fare, suggest to get day trip ticket it's GBP 5.60 for unlimited bus and tube till 4:30 am everyday.
Finally, after half an hr of tube ride, i arrived my hotel, No.5 Maddox St , i would say it's more like a service apt than a hotel, with nice size kitchen...

After checked in, tried to catch Portobello saturday market (central line to Notting Hill Gate), browsing along the street, went into a random fish n' chip shop, George and realized it's also a well known fav. shop for Jamie Oliver~~~delicious ~~~ the crispy skin with  amount of flour and the fish is super fresh... after satisfied my tummy... took a detour to Westbourne St and Ledburry St, where has brand name boutiques.. love one of the organic lifestyle store, daylesford, if have some free time, could take a break from long walking and sip a cup of english tea at the shop, on the way home, purchase some organic bread and dinning accessories for souvenir.. :) after some contemporary market shopping, went back to Portobello, got spotted as designer when i was bargaining for 2 vintage bags... end up.. the merchant, Dimasi is a big vintage bag whole-seller, who provide inspiration bags for Chloe, Lanvin, D&G etc... we exchanged contact and made an appt the next day to visit the showroom...
Tube back to Bond st. and check out Selfridges and Browns ... ahhhhh GBP is too strong.. i can't even afford anything i want there.... :(
ps. on New Bond St. right across Browns, they also have Browns outlet..



9/19 day 2

Concierge sent a giant basket of bakery for breakfast, after a quick bite, get ready for the day....
Took Central Line to Liverpool and visit funky market at Brick Lane on the way to brick lane will pass thru another small market Spitalfield market for local designer stuff. Lunch time head over to Covent Garden/ Jubilee Market (central line to Covent Garden), a semi indoor market hall with bunch of restaurants and craft shops. Still have time before my appt w Dimasi, head over to another market Camden (northern line to Camden Town), it's really not my type of market, too much like 西門町 but it's fun to walk around... 
at 3:30 pm, went back to Portobello to Dimasi's office... he brought out at least 10 boxes of vintage bags for me to pick.. too bad it was end of his selling, didn't get to see the best of best... but still, i bought about 15 bags from him for work (please stay tune with my future design collection...:p)
After 2 days of walking, my legs feels no longer mine... craving for hot asian food, luckily, our hotel is not too far from C-town. went have some light food at this Taiwanese stall forgot the name (4 macclesfield street)
That night, since i had unlimited pass, decided to take bus for a Tower Bridge nite tour (London seems doesn't have bus map, better check before go) end my day wandering in a quite nite at Tower Bridge


9/20 day 3


Pretty much used up my london shopping budget yesterday for all the vintage bags. Trying to figure out what should do today... chat online w friend and decided to go for high tea in the afternoon and visit London Design Festival sites.. first went to Knightsbridge area, where Harrods, Harvey Nicole located.. the most fun site i visited was a food lab, by using cooking food to interact w audience.. when we got there, was still too early so didn't really get a chance to experience it.. like the concept tho.. after couples of visit.. got email confirmation from concierge about our afternoon tea reservation at Hotel Claridges ( at the corner of Brook St. same hotel where Gordon Ramsy restaurant is) it's probably the #1 high tea place in London (tks Chi Wai's recommendation).. the savory, the dessert, the tea... it's unbelievable... and it's all you can eat, whatever u want more they will bring it to you... by end of the meal they even give you a box of tea as gift... for the side note, if went to gift shop, they give out small bottle of jam for tasting, take as many as you want...>,< soo touristy today...

Friend and I were very cautious with the portion we ate at the high-tea, saving some room for dinner at Ledbury (127 Ledbury Rd, London - 020 7792 9090) michelin 2 stars restaurant, GBP 75 for prix fixe dinner, end up spending abt GBP 100 with wine. I would give it 4 stars, as i said earlier, i think London has the best and consistent food than New York, every dishes they have is remarkable, i almost licked all over each plates before they took it off from me... also glad to meet some local friends...

9/21 day 4
  
Too exhausted... stayed in till noon for lunch at Hibiscus (29 maddox st), just right next to my hotel, a michelin 1 star jewel box like restaurant, 3 courses lunch GBP 29, the dishes has very complex mixture taste, with its modern cooking technique brings out ingredient's original flavor... quite a striking dinning experience.. 4 stars rating from me...

the last full half day in london, continued my LDF visit to Tom Dixon's workshop at Portobello Dock
it was quite an adventure to get there (central line to white city, transfer Hammersmith line to Wood Land and get off at Ladbroke Grove and transfer #70 bus to the destination), the neighborhood is a little bit rough to me, but once you get into the dock it's a design happy land... 
Thought i was smart enough to know how to take bus back to central, end up...... #@!%^& anyway, i have deiced i have to have duck dinner tonite... finally found my way to get off at Bayswater and bought yummy BBQ duck at Four Season for take out..


9/22 last day
learned my 1st day lesson, didn't dare to take tube to St. Pancras Station, took a cab cost only GBP 10... not too bad... Eurostar to Paris.....


*markets map
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/markets.htm

*restaurant lists to be added
- Bellocq Tea Atelier (try noble savage) -kings road
- The Corner Room (@town hall hotel) good affordable food


*where to stay
- The town hall hotel and apartment
   8 patriot sq, london (www,townhallhotel.com)