Surprise! Another brilliant Momofuku Ko lunch

[ellenost]

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about my visits to Ko, and I know most of you are bored about hearing me extol the brilliance of the cuisine at Ko, but I promised my CH buddy Ray who sat next to me at lunch on Saturday that I would post. (Ray—this is for you).

Peter wasn’t cooking on Saturday, but the rest of the chefs were great. Special thanks to Tyler who was very friendly and informative.

Since I haven’t had lunch at Ko since Christmas day, I was pleased to see a number of new courses/variations of previous courses while some of my favorites continue on the menu.

1) Amuses: Pommes soufflé filled with crème fraiche, hackleback caviar and chive, duck pate square, spoon of homemade ricotta – all very good.

2) Oyster in shell (I prefer this version to the oyster topped with the caviar).

3) Sashimi tasting: madai, fluke, Spanish mackerel and scallop with poppyseed buttermilk dressing. All of the sashimi had wonderful flavors that were unique to each other.

4) Uni/tofu in pineapple dashi that worked brilliantly (sorry for the overuse of wonderful and brilliant). The uni was accompanied by chu toro with hackleback caviar and waygu beef shortrib and onion. This was another winning dish, and one that I hope they keep on the menu for a long time.

5) Sliced beef cheek with charred/pickled jalapeno puree, accompanied by white fungus, maitake mushroom and cilantro. I had this dish in December, and continue to love it.

6) Puffed chicken egg in bacon dashi accompanied by Ko’s version of a bagel stuffed with cream cheese, bacon and scallion – yummy!

7) Ko’s verison of a bento box: curry seasoned lamb rib with kolrabi slaw, pork fat grilled rice cake, mustard greens, broth with clam. The lamb rib replaced my favorite chicken wing, but was excellent. The lamb was so tender that I was able to cut it with a spoon.

8) Orrochiette pasta with cheddar cheese sauce, broccoli puree and dehydrated ham – perfect for a rainy afternoon.

9) Lobster tail served on top of a fried turnip cake, fried cauliflower and lily bulbs.

10) Shaved frozen foie gras with Riesling gelee, pinenut brittle and lychee – well deserved praise.

11) Sliced rolled duck leg accompanied by parsnip ice cream rolled in charred onion – yes, this worked very well. Ko does wonderful things with duck, and this is yet another great dish.

12) Comte cheese sauce with swiss chard and white raising—I like this cheese course better than the slices of cheese previously served.

13) Coconut cream filled toasted black rice cake with passion fruit ice cream, caramel sauce and toasted crunchies (Ray: do you remember what they were?). This was another brilliant creation. The chefs were very excited about this dish. I hope they keep this on the menu permanently.

14) Orange granita with black streusel and thai basil.

I am sorry that I have forgotten a dish or two. Ray: now it’s your turn to fill in the blanks and correct my mistakes.

Staff was very friendly and attentive.

This was a wonderful way to spend a very rainy Saturday afternoon. I look forward to my return visits.

P.S. I don’t mind the wooden stools—I’ve gotten used to them (plus I’ve a bit of “padding”). Music wasn’t too loud—was able to have conversations with my neighbors and the chefs. Ko has increased the parting gifts – jar of pickled veggies and a meat filled rice sandwich wrapped in black seaweed paper.

[foodismylife]

What was the cost and how did you get the reservation?

[ellenost]

The cost is $175; reservations are available on the Momofuku website.

[RayP]

Ellen.. perfectly explained! I know Tyler initially told me there were going to be 16 courses but I cannot remember which ones you may have missed. It doesnt seem like you missed any. The toasted "crunchies" I think were toasted bits of coconut on that dessert dish. I'm going again tomorrow night..i'll let you know if there have been any changes to dinner..(IF I can remember) :-(

[ellenost]

Wow! 4 times to Ko in a very short time. You might be able to help the chefs! Have a great time! I think some of the 16 courses include the amuses counted separately.

[RayP]

now the pressure is on!

[ellenost]

I was able to get a reservation for dinner next week so I look forward to your report about dinner (especially since I haven't been to Ko for dinner since mid-January. I'm curious to see whether they've changed the menu).

[RayP]

Ellen...Great meal tonight..no surprise tho right?
Probably most of what you may have had last time you were there for dinner.
I will give you a run down but I'm sure it won't be as eloquant as your posts... :-(
Fluke in the buttermilk poppyseed sauce
Mackerel
Toasted Brioche in a gruyere soup (this is brand new as of tonight) quite delicious
The softboiled egg with hackelback caviar and pearl onions
Hand town pasta with chicken and snail sausage with those pork cracklings
Almond crusted Skate with the Almond Foam
of course the FOIE GRAS!
The main was the Duck over mustard greens
Then the 2 desserts..
The pear dessert and the root beer sorbet one. Im sure you've had those.
Sean did say the menu was going to be changing in about 2-3 weeks pretty much everything but the Foie Gras of course which will remain a staple.
Although not as good as your post I hope you get the idea of what you'll probably be having next week.

Happy eating and I look forward to your report back.

[ellenost]

Thanks Ray!

Looking forward to the new toasted brioche in gruyere soup. Didn't have the root beer sorbet when I had dinner in January. Glad to hear they still have the duck (one of my favorites, along with the egg and foie gras). You did a great job on your post. Thanks very much. I'll look forward to your Per Se post soon.

[travpard]

i didn't get any gifts when i went for dinner a couple months ago.

[ellenost]

The "gifts" are only at lunch. The jar of pickled veggies was always the parting gift; they now have added the rice sandwich.

[foodismylife]

please take me i am broke, I am good company.

[RayP]

I was looking for a partner tonight..but found one already...sorry food :-(

[travpard]

ah so that is the price difference along with the extra courses.

i think my stomach would explode if i went for lunch.