I tend to get very focused, okay, obsessed, when I have a specific goal in mind. It was time to plan our wedding anniversary lunch, and with a thousand of terrific possibilities that are part of the vibrant culinary scene in NYC, I went to work. It would have been too easy to just "settle" for the best - Eleven Madison Park, Per Se, Le Bernardin, etc. I wanted something different and unexpected; I wanted a challenge of finding a place that was unknown to us.
I considered Aska, a spectacular restaurant in Brooklyn, I thought of heading in a whole different direction and going for some mean dumplings in Chinatown, but at the end I chose something that has always intimidated me: CAVIAR.
Caviar Russe (one Michelin star), is located on the second floor of a four story building on Madison Avenue. This beautifully decorated restaurant consists of an open kitchen, a large room with about 8 tables and a smaller private dining room. We were there on a blustery hot summer day, a day when the streets of Manhattan were filled with miserable looking people who happily docked in and out of air conditioned stores and restaurants.
When we got to Caviar Russe, the main dinning room was empty, but there seemed to be a large party in the private room. I took the waiter up on his offer of taking my bottle of water that accompanied me for the past couple of hours, and put it on ice. That was a lovely touch, and a pleasure to walk out of the restaurant with a cold drink.
The restaurant is nicely decorated with pretty glass lights that hang down from the paneled ceiling, and Russian themed paintings on the walls.
I wanted to take baby steps with caviar since I have always found it kind of gross, my appologies. The waiter suggester the classic Osetra caviar, and we chose the smoked salmon with blinis and creme fraiche as our appetizer. The caviar and salmon came with toast, blinis, and potato slices.
To my great surprise, I loved the caviar! The Osetra caviar was a perfect introduction; mild, a bit sweet, with a slightly nutty flavor. I loved it on the blini and the toast.
The smoked salmon with capers tasted great on a piece of toast with some creme fraiche and finely chopped chives.
The warm bread and two kinds of butter were fresh and delicious.
My outstanding foie gras terrine had a wonderfully silky texture, it was rich and buttery, and came with cherries, black truffle and a couple of pieces of brioche toast.
There were halved cherries on my plate, cherry jam, and a jellied cherry that sat on top of the foie gras. I have eaten my share of foie gras all over the world and can confidently say that this one was the absolute best.
My husband's seared scallops were very tender and had a lovely golden crust. There were paired with peach, heart of palm, and lime.
My halibut was also seared, and came accompanied by bell peppers, morel mushrooms, and relish.
The fish was super fresh and delicious.
There were two desserts to chose from so naturally we got both of them!
I loved my strawberry tart with hyssop (plant used to produce honey, hyssop herb is used in making za'atar), lavender, long pepper.
My husband felt that he did better ordering the chocolate clafoutis, with cherries and ricotta.
Along with our tea we were given two glasses of mousse with diced fruit and a basket of piping hot Madeleines.
The Madeleines were so delightfully exquisite; I couldn't help myself and ate them all. I'll diet when I'm dead.
We decided that this was one of the best lunches we've ever had in NYC; the service was perfect, the atmosphere calm and relaxing, and the food absolutely outstanding. I cannot wait to go back.
Caviar Russe
538 Madison Avenue
Monday-Saturday - 12-10
Sunday - 12-4
Joanna
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