A couple of weeks ago, I had the awesome opportunity of going State-side and, naturally, I answered with a 'hell yes, when and what do I need to pack?'. Soon enough we were headed across the pond and landed in a sunny New York just shy of midday.
After a bit of a disorientating time (still being up at 11pm EST when your body knows it's 4am is murder!) I'd soon settled in and with a cup of Earl Grey and a bagel, I was a New Yorker by 8am the next day and looking forward to dinner by that night. Brasserie was the destination we had in mind and after a short cab ride, we were soon at the rather understated entrance.
It's like a big white cave, that's the only way to describe it. You're underneath a building and it's a huge space yet it still feels cosy and achingly chic with white chairs, very suave waiters and a long white bar filled with glamorous folks sipping at their Cosmopolitans. Way to feel like a hick! The restaurant has been there since 1959 and I'd love to see past decors to see how it's changed over the last fifty years.
Luckily I soon got over it and settled down with my fellow diners to peruse the French-fusion menu which offered a hell of a lot of choice ... Fantastic! I opted for the Foie Gras au Torchon followed by a 10oz Filet Mignon with chips (sorry, fries!) and a red wine jus. The Foie Gras was pretty vile; whatever they had done to it had diluted the taste completely and made it taste like putty. I didn't enjoy it at all and the waiters, noticing this, took it away and brought me a gazpacho soup instead which was delicious if a little strange as gazpacho isn't for everybody!
My steak was one of the best I've ever eaten. The knife slid through it like butter, the fries were super crispy and the sauce was smooth, rich and a perfect accompaniment. Especially with the garlic undertaste which complemented the steak and how it had been cooked (medium-rare). Everybody else at the table seemed to have a great main course too; there was tuna, branzino, chicken paillard and mountains of chips and a lot of 'mmm' and 'delicious!' from our table.
The experience was great and for those who had dessert, it didn't end at the main course. The sorbets were fantastic, deemed 'perfect' by somebody if I recall correctly. All in all, the meal was great, the experience was brilliant and the staff should be commended for their attentiveness. Neither wine nor water glass ever reached empty until we reached the end of our meal. They also didn't rush us so we had plenty of time to talk and catch-up, something I wasn't expecting in the Big Apple.
If I was going there again, I don't know if I'd go again but merely because I want to experience as much of New York as possible. I'd like to go to all of the hot spots and the known classics because when it comes to food, variety is the key. A favourite restaurant is all well and good but why not branch out and go elsewhere every once in a while?
Brasserie is a great place for a date or a group catch-up, however, and therefore if you head NY-way, stop by and have a great meal. I didn't pay so I don't know what the damage was but I'm guessing about $80/head including the tip.
Vitals
Brasserie
100 East 53rd St, New York 10022
Tel: +00 1 212 751 4840
Website: http://www.patinagroup.com/restaurant.php?restaurants_id=55
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