Quick Trip Report - Ma Peche and Minetta Tavern
Had a fantastic Saturday lunch at Ma Peche this weekend. Had not realized the menu would be so limited, and was disappointed that the duck ramen was not available. But my goodness did we love the pork buns...and couldn't decide so we tried the fish buns as well. Never experienced anything like that bread, and the fried fish was so light and crisp it was just amazing. We split the brussel sprouts, hands down the best preparation of my favorite veggie. Couldn't get over all the fantastic flavors mingled throughout. The beef ramen was delicious, not much more to say about that. But that crack pie!!! Everything it's hyped-up to be. We all enjoyed various cocktails (set us up nicely for Avenue Q!), but I think my favorite was the seven spice sour...loved how it had a kick but was so subtle. We all commented on the sporadic whiff of wonderful scents and aromas that would fly by our noses at various times. Service was outstanding and we had a lovely time.
Quick round of cocktails at the Pegu Club, was a little slow at 7pm but I could definitely see the appeal. Not sure I really needed genius approaches to cocktails again so soon after our lunch, but now I've been there and I can say so.
Minetta Tavern. How do I love thee? First meal there did not disappoint. Must skip a bit and start with my rave for the Cote de Boeuff. Unlike any other steak I've had in my lifetime, and worth the price tag. The char, the flavor (dry aged!), and the succulent medium rare temperature. Loved the juices that remained on the bottom of the plate, a lovely combination of steak au jus and whatever dripped from those gorgeous marrow bones. Got a side of the potatoes and we all went nuts...love that they got it to that consistency without overdoing it. Delicious.
Insisted my wife order the Black Label Burger and we all agreed it was an extraordinary burger. But not really a burger? If anything it is a delicous "portion" of meat and we all loved the flavor. I'm still reserving my title to the Spotted Pig for best burger though.
We started with the terrine and must say I was disappointed by the minimal presence of the foie. Was decent but nothing extraordinary to me.
Wife loved the mesclun salad and another had the special - duck egg omelette with crab. Simply exquisite and we all loved it.
Overwhelmed by all the meat choices by the three of us, our friend ordered the ZaZa Pasta (sp?). They were underwhelmed and unimpressed...but of course you knew that would happen. Besides, there was plenty to devour and savor all around.
Just wanted to share my experience after soliciting advise a while back. Yet another amazing food trip to NYC.
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Thanks for the trip report!
The Seven Spice Sour is one of my favorite drinks of all time and is pretty easy to make at home. The sake infusion only takes 5 minutes.
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Seven Spice Sour, Don Lee, Momofuku, 2009.
Sake infusion
* 7g shichimi togarashi spice
* 500mL Junmai Honjozo sakeInfuse for 5 minutes. Strain with cheese cloth. Make sure to strain completely.
Cocktail
* 2 oz Seven Spice infused Sake
* ½ oz simple syrup (1:1 proportions water to granulated sugar, shaken briskly until dissolved, no heat needed)
* ½ oz fresh lime juice (must be fresh, don't use Rose's)
* ½ oz yuzu juice (bottled, often available at Asian grocery stores)Shake with ice, strain, serve up.
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