per se
Under: Desserts,Dinner,Drinks,French,Grace's Picks,Michelin 2010 Guide,Michelin 2011 Guide,Midtown West,My Life,Prix-fixe,seafood
For Valentine’s day, Ken surprised me with tickets to Book of Mormon and then a dinner at per se. When we first met, Ken asked me about restaurants and I told him my favorite restaurant in New York was per se. He said he wanted to take me there for our first date (big talker, right?) and I explained that it was a really long meal and that it would be way too much for a first date. We did eventually go there for Valentine’s day for lunch once we had officially started dating and had a great meal there. (in case you’re wondering, our first date was at Corton).
The meal at per se started a bit late since we were rushing from Book of Mormon – we started with champagne and salmon coronets:
I started with the vegetarian meal – after all, Frank Bruni loved the vegetarian tasting when he was a food critic for the NYTimes – but I switched to the chef’s tasting menu after three or four courses because I wasn’t enjoying the vegetarian choices. Photos from the evening:
The “milee crepes” presentation of foie gras (my favorite supplement):
My favorite dish of the evening, sauteed atlantic cod:
The most tender butter poached nova scotia lobster:
When I interviewed at per se, I went through an evening of service and watched the chef throw away a preparation of the lobster because it was overcooked (I would have eaten it!)
Another supplement, the papardelle pasta covered with black truffles:
The blue gin dragonfruit dessert with violet gin granite:
An amazing bottle of wine that’s older than me:
The dessert spread:
Macarons, truffles and chocolates:
My favorite part of the meal is when the server comes and explains all of the chocolates. I was *stuffed* and told Ken I wasn’t going to ask for too many chocolates, but here’s my plate:
And here’s Ken’s plate:
Another great meal at per se; we were the last ones to leave (just like when we first started dating – we always have so much to talk about!) and since we’ve gone two years in a row right by Valentine’s day, it sounds like it’s becoming a tradition!
Reader Comments
We’ve never been to per se in Midtown West. It looks very intriguing and like something we must try. Especially if it’s your favorite in NYC!