NYC Tasting Menus?

[peacepug]

DH's bday is coming up and I wanted to know which restaurants offer tasting menus these days, and which are actually worth it. Thanks for any reviews/suggestions.

[DebbyT]

I've had the tasting menu at Mike's and it was outstanding. Never would've believed I would like beets! He serves his "standards." Beet salad, duck gnocchi, short-ribs...so it's great if you haven't eaten there before.
I'm told that Solo and Abigaels' do tasting menus as well.
Enjoy!!

[zsero]

Me too. When they asked about things I disliked, I didn't think of beets, so they gave me the beet salad and I was surprised to find I liked it.

[brooklynkoshereater]

I've been to solo many times and, I've got to tell you, it's one of my favorite places in the city. I love the food - the mushroom veloute is to die for - and I don't consider the portions small at all. They do have a tasting menu, but you should call to find out.

[Chairman Mao]

There's a small place in Great Neck called Tel Aviv that has a great $40 tasting menu. I thought it was superior to Mike's tasting menu.

[MartyB]

I never went to a tasting menu, is that like an all you can eat buffet but with a fancier name?

[DeisCane]

No, it's more like a prix fixe with a less fancy name. :-)

It's typically 5 or more courses, defined by the chef, often around a theme (seasonal ingredients, for example).

[koshercamembert]

I recently wrote up Mike's on my blog. My family didn't get the tasting menu (which they do have), but we had an amazing though pricey meal. If you want to check out some pics of the food, you can go to my blog post (sorry for gratuitous self promotion) -- http://koshercamembert.wordpress.com/...

[peacepug]

For those who have had the tasting menu, do you recommend the wine pairings?

[zsero]

I do.

[GilaB]

Mosaica had an excellent 7-course tasting menu the last time we were there, which I grant was about six months ago. It's in Union County NJ, which is quick to get to from NYC if you have a car, but not easily doable via mass transit. I prefer the food there to that at Mike's Bistro, which I find overrated, but I haven't tried Mike's tasting menu.

[DeisCane]

FWIW, taking the NJT to Maplewood and then a $12 cab will get you to Mosaica in about 45 minutes.

[GilaB]

Thanks!

If you are still interested in the Mike's tasting menu, do note that you have to call ahead to order it a day in advance.

[ciamx]

Mike's is great. I went there with 7 other people for their tasting menu. I was the only vegetarian in the group, and for every meat dish that was being served, Mike prepared an equivalent vegetarian dish. It was FANTASTIC!

[DeisCane]

I think Mike's is the only place.

[cheesecake17]

I've heard that the tasting menu at Mike's in excellent, and they'll work with you if you're really picky about an item or two. When I looked into it, they told me it's no problem to substitute something for the fish course, as long as they know in advance. The food at Mike's is excellent.. so I would think that the tasting menu would be great.

[peacepug]

hmmm I see Solo has one, anyone ever been ?

[cheesecake17]

My parents have been to solo, not for the tasting, and said it wasn't good. Too loud, rude waiter, food was eh, portions were small and not worth the price.

[tleah]

The tasting menu at Mikes is in fact incredible! the ambiance there was really nice also.. we sat upstairs. the gnocci was my favorite-