New Year's Eve at Fish

[JanR]

Mike Stollenwerk orchestrated a wonderful eight course black and white truffle-themed New Year's Eve dinner last night. Before getting into the food, I want to say that the place is very attractive. Very nice granite bar in the front room with an open kitchen. The dining room isn't visible from the bar and -- with the open kitchen -- it almost felt like sitting in a bigger, much more elegant Littlefish. I'm a big fan of Littlefish, and was concerned that the new place would not match the charm of the cozy Littlefish. Not the case at all. I want to note that the music was hip and played at the right volume. After drinks at the bar, we were escorted to the main dining room and a great table next to a window overlooking a tree adorned with little white lights on Lombard St. I must say the scene outside was quite amusing at times. Haven't been to center city for NYE for awhile and forgot how exuberant people can get. It was fun.

We had a leisurely 3-1/2 hour meal. It was eight courses, each one to die for. Starting with a wonderful amuse (already forget what but it included osetra caviar), we went on to a tall shot glass filled with a potato bisque, black truffle and an oyster. My favorite of the night. Good things kept coming: maine scallop in a poached egg vinagrette, lobster risotto with celery leaf and black truffles, a small cheese course, skate wing with truffled spaetzle, wagyu ribeye with truffled celeriac, royal trumped bordelaise sauce, ... There was a grapefruit sorbet midway through the meal, and the meal ended with a chocalate truffle torte with white truffle ice cream. Every dish incorporated truffle, and the chef was very generous with the truffles. Even the bread was delicious (served with truffle butter). BTW, the wine list is extensive, very well chosen and reasonably priced.

Great service and all in all a very enjoyable night. Certainly worth the trek downtown on a rainy night. The chef came out after midnight and greeted everyone. As usual, he was very gracious and unassuming. All four of us (and apparently everyone else in the room) were delighted with our evening. Now that I know how good Fish is, I will have a difficult decision between it and Littlefish.