Decisions, decisions . . . #1 most important Corton or Jungsik?

[msruckus]

DH and I have carved out 2 complete child free days in NYC on our 2 week whirlwind trip to visit family over the holidays. We are staying at The Greenwich Hotel (after changing from the London) from 12/18-12/20 because I realized that all of the eating that I want to do on this trip is downtown, and pretty close to that hotel. New York is my heart, and I am so glad that I will be back to do my favorite things there, run, shop and eat!

We have reservations on Sunday night to eat at Kajitsu. This appeals to me immensely since I adore cooking all kinds of vegetables and they make up the majority of my diet, though am an omnivore who loves fine dining. So, I am debating if we should eat at The Modern instead or try to get into Kyo Ya as have never done any Kaisiki. Most importantly. I am trying to decide if we want to eat on Monday night (12/19) at Corton or at Jungsik. Both appeal to me immensely. I am also on the waiting list at EMP and have never been. (On other recent trips, we have done Degustation, Le Bernadin, Per Se and Blue HIll at Stone Barns twice. Of those, Le Bernadin was my least favorite, though still exquisite, just boring.) I have never eaten at WD-50, but . . . Am also holding lunch reservations at Gramercy Tavern (never been) and at Jean Georges. I don't think that we will do all of these, especially since Locanda Verde is in our hotel, but . . .

Anyways, I have been pouring over this board and Open Table all week and cannot decide. Please help!

[kathryn]

The formal dining room at The Modern is closed Sundays; if you wish to dine there, you'd need to choose another day to visit.

You may also wish to consider squeezing in Locanda Verde for brunch or lunch, perhaps?

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The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

[Cheeryvisage]

I had recently had dinners at both Corton and Jung Sik. I personally enjoyed Jungsik more. I thought the flavors there were more interesting and had more wow factor. I also preferred Jungsik's dining room over Corton's.

For reference, my meal at Jungsik: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwJgohL , report: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/815513

And at Corton: http://flic.kr/s/aHsjwG6Ewe

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Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Jung Sik
2 Harrison St, New York, NY 10013

[msruckus]

It is largely because of your review that Jungsik moved to the top of my short list!

[RGR]

Like Cheeryvisage, we recently had dinner at both Junk Sik and Corton. Honestly, I'd be exceedingly hard-pressed to choose between the two as each was stunning in its own way. The only major difference for me was that the lighting at Corton was far superior for my camera.

Note: There are a few differences in the dishes we had and those Cheeryvisage had in both meals.

Jung Sik photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157627995415217/

Corton photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11863391@N03/sets/72157628170337735/

http://thewizardofroz.wordpress.com

[msruckus]

Original plan was 12/18 brunch at Locanda Verde, dinner at Kajitsu. 12/19 lunch at Gramercy Tavern, dinner at Jung Sik. 12/20 lunch at Jean Georges

But, we got 10 p.m. reservations for Ko on Sunday night, which means that we can fit in a fun "snack" in the late afternoon on Sunday. But, i am now thinking that Jung Sik might be too similar in flavor profile to Ko. Should we do Corton or maybe 15 East (sushi being my number one favorite type of food). Open to other ideas too.

Thanks in advance!

[sgordon]

They won't be similar at all. Don't let the fact that the owner's name is "Chang" or the occasional Asian ingredient fool you, Momofuku Ko is a "New American" restaurant first and foremost, many dishes won't be remotely Asian. It's about as Asian as Jean Georges or Le Bernardin.

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Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023

Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019

Momofuku Ko
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

[Cheeryvisage]

I don't think Jungsik is similar to Ko in flavor profile. I find that Ko draws influences from more cuisines around the world and is more... "global". In one meal, it may jump from Japanese to Italian to Chinese to American to Greek to "I don't know what this is, but it sure is tasty". On the other hand, Jungsik is French-American with Korean touches.

If you're thinking about going to Corton, Jungsik, or 15 East on Sunday afternoon... I don't believe any of them will be open on Sunday. But if it were up to me, I'd pick between Jungsik and 15 East. Jungsik because it's a unique restaurant that you won't easily find outside of Korea, and 15 East because Chef Masa is awesome and the chef's omakase (the $140 one) is sublime. If you go to 15 East though, make sure that you sit at the sushi bar, preferably in front of Chef Masa, otherwise it's probably not worth it. You must call to reserve at the sushi bar. Sushi bar or bust. :)

[msruckus]

Staying with Jungsik for Monday night. Thank you everyone. I think we will do 15 East for lunch on MOnday instead of GT.

[Cheeryvisage]

Your new plan sounds great. Have a wonderful time in NYC.

[msruckus]

Just back from dinner at Jungsik. It was exquisite, delicious, and impeccable. We were astounded! Thank you fo leading me there; I was blown away. We always eat well and this trip we stepped it up. Adara in Montclair, NJ on Saturday night was delicious and fun to see molecular gastronomy in action. Locanda Verde for lunch yesterday was decadent. Momofuku Ko last night was superb. Gramarcy Tavern today was delightful. But Jungsik was perfect. I was in ecstasy.

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Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003

Momofuku Ko
163 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

Locanda Verde
377 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10013

Jung Sik
2 Harrison St, New York, NY 10013

[Cheeryvisage]

I'm really glad you enjoyed your meal at Jungsik. It's really a fantastic restaurant serving some of the best food in the city. It's great to see another diner turned into a fan. :)

[Monica]

Can you tell us what you had at Jung Sik?