My lunch at Aquavit

[guttergourmet]

Embarrassed to admit that I hadn't been since they moved to 55th street (across the street from my office). great space, especially if you're in to mid-20th century Scandinavian design. The foie gras ganache was fanatastic with a smoked quail leg to start. I sampled some of the herring platter too-almost Japanese in presentation. The smorgasbord tasting plate was fun- the usual suspects-meatball and lingonberries, gravlax, salmon, boiled potato, smoked cheese and of course, more herrings. desserts were also impressive including a pear tart with a slice of forme d'ambert. Also had a nice gewurtztraminer from California-Navarro vineyard. Very nice meal and for me a rarity in that someone else picked up the tab ;)

[guttergourmet]

Just went back for the foie gras ganache this time served with some smoked duck tartare and also had the duck as a main dish. Ducklicious!.

[financialdistrictresident]

guttergourmet, is there a bar where you can just get a cocktail and have the foie gras ganache? I have not been to Aquavit in the new location and the last time I went it was for lunch and it was too much herring for me. I may want to have one last taste of foie gras before a shortage kicks in from the Hudson Valley Foie Gras fire that killed 15,000 breeding ducks.

[MMRuth]

Great question! There is a bar - but look forward to hearing guttergourmet's reply.

Edit - just looked at the small lounge menu on the website - no foie gras, but herring tacos (grin). But maybe they would be accomodating ....

[financialdistrictresident]

Thanks, mmruth. :) We have found Picayo, Danube and others to be very flexible and accomodating in this regard. However, in those situations we were also having dinner. Maybe I'll give them a call. No harm in trying.

[guttergourmet]

I don't know but they do have people eating at the long bar between the lounge and the dining room so why not? On the foie gras issue at Hudson Valley, I actually posted on Ruhlman's blog where they interviewed Ginot, the owner of Hudson Valley, about the fire. The comments raise issues about animal rights activists and the morality of goose fattening. I'm currently reading Ginot's book-"Foie Gras-A Passion" which is terrific. My position of course is that I'd rather be a Hudson Valley duck than a Perdue chicken any day. Be thankful foie gras is not illegal here like Chicago and soon California. We'll all be eating in gourmet speakeasies.

[financialdistrictresident]

Thanks, guttergourmet. Had my last foie gras fixes at The Modern and the River Cafe. For those of us that love eating (and shopping for/preparing food) there are many issues. Don't get me started on endangered fish. I have never been to Le Bernardin but hear they have a disclaimer re: fish and sustainability on their menu (a good thing IMO). I'll be eating my SO's organic chicken again soon :). It was the best roast chicken I ever had. Too bad I don't eat pork because their organic pigs must be amazing. Raised on an organic farm co-op, killed humanely (an oxymoron?). But I digress. I knew foie gras was controversial but didn't realize it was illegal in Chicago now. I will report back re: foie gras at Aquavit's bar.

[MMRuth]

We stopped by the Cafe the other night for dinner - I'd been wanting to make Swedish Meatballs at home and serve herring etc. that night, but got out of our engagement too late to start that process. I have to say, we were a bit disappointed, though we've loved it before. The meatballs were a bit tough and underseasoned. The herring sampler was good, but a lot of food - I guess we've only ordered it for lunch before, when it was part of the prix fixe, which our server said was had smaller portions. Our problem of course, not theirs. My husband had the "Gentleman's Delight" - sweet anchovy and egg, which I enjoyed but he did not - said it was too mild for him. He had the beef tartare as a main course, which he said was pretty good. I was also a bit disappointed that their aquavit selection seems to have changed, with more sweet than straight herbal/savory selections, though I enjoyed my horse radish one. Our conclusion was that next time we have such a craving, we'll be more organized so that we cook at home. We did have a nice bottle of Sancerre to accompany this, and the service was good.

I do want to try that foie gras granache in the Dining Room though.

[BW212]

That foie gras ganache is probably my favorite dish in the city. Unreal it's so delicious!

I'm glad to know they still have it on the menu!

[sam1]

i had lunch for the first time here as well this week and was pleasantly impressed. beautiful back room, great service that was professional yet friendly and my food was good.

i had the lobster roll which id probably skip next time for the foie gras though. it almost tasted like it was mixed with apples and mayo. the duck entree was quite good though.

for a business lunch, the place works well. id be hard pressed to try it for other occasions.

[sukmon]

Was it expensive? What is the price range? I have been wanting to go but not sure about pricing? Thanks!

[MMRuth]

http://www.aquavit.org/flash.html

They have the menus on the website.

[MMRuth]

So glad you enjoyed - did you eat in the main dining room (sounds like it) or the Cafe? We've only eaten in the Cafe and I love going there. I only wish they had a somewhat more modestly priced wine list for the Cafe area.

[guttergourmet]

Ate in the main dining room in the back-lovely room though tight-we were 4 and they gave us one of the 2 large tables at the back of the room. The booths are quite cozy. For once- I happily didn't see the bill.