I thought I would start a thread dedicated to NYC restaurants.
2013 has been the best year for restaurant openings since 2004. And this expansion has spread beyond Brooklyn to many new areas. One area in particular that is thriving is the Lower East Side with Contra, Estela (not technically LES) Fung Tu, NY Sushi Ko, Pearl&Ash and Skal. Also Russ & Daughters will be opening soon.
I hope others will add to this thread and start similar threads for other large cities of interest.
Chef Fabian von Hauske worked at Faviken and Noma. Chef Jeremiah Stone worked at Isa. Sommelier Linda Milagros Violago worked at Mugaritz
Contra features a 5 course tasting menu for $55 and is clearly influence by the Paris scene with similarities to restaurants such as Bones, Le Chateaubriand, and Roseval.
They have a small focused mostly “natural” wine list again similar to the aforementioned Paris restaurants. We drank a fantastic Frank Cornelissen Orange wine that worked wonderfully well with the food.
The music is good and just the right volume.
We like to sit at the Bar because it is no reservations and the bartender who has taken care of us each time is very knowledgeable about food, cocktails and wine.
Course 1 - Scallop/Marrow/Pear - we did not have the marrow since we do not eat meat
Course 2 - Cod/Green/Garlic/Broccoli
Course 3 - Chicken/Mushroom/Almond - we were given an extraordinary tasty dish with Salsify as the main component
Course 4 - Tangerine popcorn - The popcorn was a flavor component and not actually the whole popcorn which worked well with the rest of the dish
Course 5 - Beet/Hazelnut/Yoghurt
We supplemented the tasting menu with Bread (made in house) and cheese.
The food was artfully presented, energetic, lively, thoughtfully composed with some surprising combinations and overall delicous.