GOING FOR GOLD

In light of the recent Olympics, I began thinking about which fine dining restaurants would win medals in an official competition. To be fair, I can only consider places I’ve actually been to, but I believe I have a relatively large selection to choose from. After carefully evaluating each restaurant’s cuisine, service, and ambiance, as well as my experiences there, I’ve decided which, in my book, earn the bronze, silver, and gold. Here are the award winners.

BRONZE

The Modern

Sturgeon & Sauerkraut Tart

Taking home the bronze is this contemporary French eatery situated within MoMA. The Modern is a restaurant I find myself returning to again and again, and with one exception, every time has been wonderful.

 

I always dine in the Main Dining Room and order the tasting menu, which is delicious, and switches seasonally. I only wish the menu changed more often—it was the same in February as it was the previous September. Despite this, the dishes are delicious and their presentation beautiful and creative. The wine pairings are well tailored to the food, and the portion sizes are appropriate as is the timing of each course.

Overall the service is fantastic. The friendly and professional staff takes great care of guests, but there are occasional hiccups that prevent The Modern from moving into second place. For example, a dish was served when I was away from the table (a big pet peeve) and another time I wasn’t charged for my wine pairings (I informed the server).

The décor is spectacular, and, unsurprisingly, quite modern. The large and bustling Bar Room gives way to an intimate dining room in the rear. High ceilings open the space and a wall of windows overlooks the museum’s sculpture garden, while classic white linens and slim black chairs reflect the minimalist design. I’m just not a fan of the unisex washroom.

My few complaints about the service are, admittedly, nitpicky, so I don’t want them to deter you from a really great restaurant. Dining at The Modern is an absolute must for all, and I can’t wait to return.

SILVER

Daniel

Duo of Beef

Just barely edged out for first place, Daniel Boulud’s classic French restaurant is top-notch every time I dine. Daniel is the epitome of class, unpretentious, and a place where every diner is treated like royalty. The food and beverage service functions like a well-oiled machine, and the front-of-house staff is always professional without being stuffy.

In addition to a three-course prix-fixe dinner, Daniel offers two always-delicious seven-course tasting menus, Le Menu Bellecour and Le Menu Mayfair. My only (very minor) complaint is that the tasting portions are a bit larger than I prefer, although historically the tastings were properly portioned. Particularly when including the wine pairings I struggle to finish my latter courses. However, too much food is not what most would consider a problem!

The experience will cost you a pretty penny, but it is 100% worth it. I highly recommend Daniel whether it’s a date night or an evening out with friends. It’s also the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or to wine-and-dine an important client.

GOLD

Jean-Georges

Egg Caviar
Signature Dish

Winning the gold is Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s flagship restaurant Jean-Georges. (Have you noticed yet that I love French food?) I quite literally don’t have a single complaint from the numerous times I’ve dined there – the experience is always magnificent and flawless. The service is impeccable and the food is innovative and delicious. I love the ambiance, where high ceilings meet walls of oversized windows, and sheer white curtains and fine linens give the dining room a clean, open, and sophisticated feel.

Dinner options consist of a three-course prix-fixe meal and two reasonably priced seven-course tastings: Jean-Georges’ Menu and one featuring seasonal ingredients. Jean-Georges' Menu is comprised of the restaurant's signature dishes including Egg Caviar and Young Garlic Soup with frog legs. The seasonal menu, however, often highlights one or two ingredients and carries them over through several of the courses. The dishes are carefully thought out and always perfectly prepared. Wine pairings are well chosen, and the wine and food portion sizes just right. I can’t seem to get enough of this restaurant, so I dine here as much as my pocketbook will allow!

Disclaimer: I have only been to Per Se for lunch, and it was a very long time ago, so I'm not in a position to properly evaluate it for inclusion on this list. Le Bernardin, despite its 3-Michelin-Star status and my good experience there, does not make the list.

#michelinguide  #tastingmenus  #themodernnyc  #danielnyc  #jeangeorges  #tastingnewyork