Having just got back from a long vacation, we've been reconnecting with friends for dinner. With Patty, the choice was an NYC tradition, La Grenouille. This is the oldest still standing French restaurant in Manhattan, located at 52nd between Fifth and Madison.
Upon arriving a few minutes early for our reservation, we had drinks at the small but chic bar in the front. Comfortable red cushioned stools and an attentive bartender poured us glasses of Laurent Perrier Rose to start the evening.
A subdued, elegant atmosphere of red and gold gilt with fresh flowers abounding...it felt like we'd walked into a fairly formal dining room of which even in a dress and heels, still made me think I was under dressed. Seated at a lovely table in the middle of the main room with two of us kitty corner on a plush sofa, it was a very comfortable arrangement. And as the room filled up with patrons, it became apparent that we were going to be the youngest diners that evening by a good thirty years or so.
The service was spot on and what you'd expect - heavy French accents with a hint of humor and perfect timing. We ordered off the price fixed menu...three courses, $98 per person. Plus wine, of course.
For appetizers, Patty chose the Beggar's purse with egg and truffle; I opted for the lobster and tarragon ravioli and the winner of the first round was Alan's seared foie gras with fennel and blood orange. Patty's course was so fragrant with the smell of warm, black truffle but the pasta containing the egg overwhelmed the delicateness of rest of the ingredients. My ravioli was good but missing that factor that makes it perfection - it seemed a bit too thick and too hard to taste the actual lobster. Alan's dish was excellent.
For the entree, Patty chose the grilled Dover Sole with mustard sauce. I went with the organic chicken roasted with root vegetables, truffle and foie gras sauce. And Alan selected the special of the evening, pork chop with pork belly. And while Patty's sole was delicately prepared and beautifully presented, it still didn't have that wow factor. My chicken was actually wonderfully prepared and cooked to a juicy happiness...but it's still chicken. Comforting, but not winning any prizes. It was Alan's pork that took the prize...succulent and juicy with the right amount of fat to make it joyful without chewy - fabulous flavor. Great dish!
And finally, dessert. I opted for a cheese platter which they served like an intermezzo course for all of us to share. Nicely presented with five cheeses including a goat, Camembert, a semi-soft, a blue and one more that slips my mind. All served with toasted raisin country bread, almonds and honey. Very nice course.
Then out comes the crown jewel - Alan ordered a chocolate souffle. It was tall, light, fluffy and bursting with chocolate happiness. Easily one of the best souffles I can remember ever tasting. The souffle alone was worth the trip. They had five different ones to choose from but I'm so happy he went with the classic. This was accompanied by Patty's shaved ice and gelato dish and a kitchen gift of a classic apple tart. These were okay...they paled in comparison to the souffle.
With a half bottle of Ruinart Blanc des Blancs NV and and a 2009 Simon Bize Savigny Les Beaune Les Grands Liards, the night was quite nice and about the same price point as the others we've been to lately ($225 a person all in all). Would I go back? Probably not. Would I recommend it to someone else, probably. It's a place that will give you that feeling that you're eating in one of the high end Paris restaurants without breaking the bank. A nice experience overall.
Zagat: 28-28-28
Jenn's Rating: 90
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