651210 Wed Sep 09 12:45:35 -0700 2009 10 18 Manhattan 0 5016903 I despair of finding one restaurant that offers everything I want in a meal on the one night we're not going to the theatre during our next visit to NY (First weekend in October). We've decided we're willing to spend up to the amount we would otherwise put into two good seats for a Broadway musical, but even so it isn't easy. I have a hankering for foie gras -- nicely seared, with some sort of fruit accompaniment. I've found a few places that offer it, but then their entree selection (or the reviews about it) leaves something to be desired. And in my religion, if it ain't chocolate, it ain't dessert. (And if it ain't dark, it ain't chocolate.) Shoot me if I'm not into foams and air and gelee, but that's how I roll. So I'm thinking, why limit ourselves to one restaurant? Let's have a moveable feast! We'll have our unlimited MetroCards and are willing to go uptown, downtown, crosstown and even to Brooklyn (staying in Park Slope), so have at it! If the experiment is a success, I'll post an account, maybe with pictures. Thanks! Wed Sep 09 12:45:35 -0700 2009 1108016 ffranny 1 5017022 I had two really excellent foie gras preparations last time I was in Manhattan. One was for lunch at Jean Georges: lightly bruleed on top with a crackly sugar crust, and little tiny pieces of strawberries. The other was at L'Atelier du Robuchon, and it was much more complicated and layered but also delicious. It was too dark at Robuchon for photos, but here's the foie gras from JG: http://www.chezpei.com/uploaded_images/DSCN7273-769780.JPG Wed Sep 09 13:15:26 -0700 2009 5016903 11577 Pei 2 5017088 ...JG also makes the world's best chocolate cake. Yes, it's a glorified molten-lava-cake, but DAMN, is it good. www.thelunchbelle.com Wed Sep 09 13:31:47 -0700 2009 5017022 110996 LeahBaila 3 5017150 I would hope he could make a good rendition of molten lava cake since Chef Vongerichten invented that recipe. Wed Sep 09 13:46:01 -0700 2009 5017088 68363 JungMann 1 5017185 Graffiti might be worth a stop for you with foie and chocolate on the menu, at times in combination. The Indian-inflected food can be a bit on the sweet side, though. Wed Sep 09 13:54:25 -0700 2009 5016903 68363 JungMann 2 5030745 Thanks for all the responses! We've decided the logistics for the progressive idea are just too daunting, so we're going to pick one place and stay there. (I think.) Here's what we've narrowed it down to: Gramercy Tavern Bar Boulud Nougatine at Jean-George Gascogne I know this is bad form, but as of now I have reservations at all four. I *promise* to cancel three of them in plenty of time to allow others to take those times. The only time I could get at Gramercy was 5:30, which is early even for us -- especially given the amount of activity we pack into any day we're in New York. The others are for 7:00 or 7:30. So of the four, any distinguishing characteristics that would help me choose? Thanks again for your help! Tue Sep 15 04:49:25 -0700 2009 5017185 1108016 ffranny 3 5031372 I think you'll love the foie gras at Gascogne, and if the evening is lovely, you can dine in their romantic garden. I love GramTav, but I wouldn't want to dine at 5:30 on an evening when dining is going to be the "entertainment." Tue Sep 15 09:17:01 -0700 2009 5030745 52499 ChefJune 1 5031911 I'd go for the great prix fixe lunch deal at Jean Georges, and go see an affordable concert or show at night. Or if you can snag reservations at Momofuku KO, you'll get the incredible signature (if unorthodox) foie dish, provided you're willing to sacrifice the chocolate. You'll get great theater too, as you watch them prepare your food. Tue Sep 15 12:09:44 -0700 2009 5016903 132418 hungrycomposer 2 5035018 Thanks, ChefJune, hungrycomposer! I appreciate the lunch J-G suggestion and might try that another time, but since this is the first time in years we've been in the city during the appropriate season, we're doing the Red Hook ballfields for lunch that day -- and the reason the dinner is our entertainment is we could only find two shows we wanted to see and we're seeing them the other two nights we're in town. Oh, and sacrifice chocolate? Really? I mean, really? ;-} Wed Sep 16 14:20:41 -0700 2009 5031911 1108016 ffranny 3 5035029 OK, no argument there. Have a great time at the ballfields! I start every day with a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate, but I would happily sacrifice the chocolate (or eat it another time) for a meal at Ko. Wed Sep 16 14:25:10 -0700 2009 5035018 132418 hungrycomposer 4 5040622 Looked at all the menus again, decided on Gascogne. I will try to remember to take some photos and post a report. We shoot everything we see when we travel, but I usually dive into my food before even thinking about capturing it in pixels. Fri Sep 18 14:53:51 -0700 2009 5035029 1108016 ffranny