First time to wd-50... what to order?

[m de p]

Four of us are going to wd-50 on Saturday for the first time. Any must-have dishes? How much does their menu change from season to season? Any thoughts on the nine-course tasting menu?

Thanks for the advice!

[Dining Dish]

The food is molecular, avantegard so don't expect a regular food experience. I went a number of years ago and the raw oyster that was flattened out to be paper thin and a square is something I still don't get. I have done the Mini Bar at Cafe Atlantico and I looked at the 33 to 34 taste as dinner and entertainment. So if you want a 'meal' that might not be the place to go. Consider it an experiment in gastronomy. A poor man's El Bulli

[fosh]

Got to do the tasting menu. And do it with the wine pairings. They sent us some wines with really imaginative tastes. Also hearing a trained pro just articulate the tastes is invaluable.

I think its 105 + 65.

[eatfood]

It's 115 now I think. Not sure what the wine pairing prices are though.

[EJC]

price of tasting menu?

[eatfood]

Kanger, do you remember your impressions on the foie gras / beet juice dish?

[Melanie]

That dish was truly amazing. I think this was my dad's favorite, thought I couldn't finish mine. It was INCREDIBLY rich, but absolutely beautiful (the color of the beet juice is just gorgeous). The freeze dried olives really added to the dish as well.

[Kanger]

Do I ever!

I agree with Melanie--the dish was absolutely beautiful, not to mention interactive: when you slice the foie open, the beet puree spills out and sauces the plate. The pea soil and candied olives had a lovely saltiness that really complimented the foie.

Here's a photo-heavy summary of the tasting menu when I had it back in September:

http://www.billkang.com/article/887/

[Melanie]

Kanger, what a GREAT set of photos! Thank you!!!

[Kanger]

Agreed as well on the tasting menu--it's the only way to go. And yes, it does include dessert courses (I think we were served two, if I recall correctly.)

[jdmetz]

Agreed - the tasting menu is a lot of fun and a great way to sample many of the inventive dishes.

[eatfood]

Does the tasting menu include dessert dishes also?

Their website doesn't mention or give any clues as to what's on the tasting menu.

[Melanie]

If this is your first time at WD~50, I would definitely suggest that you go with the tasting menu. This restaurant is so fun because it's so odd. In order to get the fullest experience, you will want to try as many different things as you can, therefore the tasting menu is the way to go!