While traveling in New York, a few coworkers and I had one free night to have a dinner together. They left it up to me to choose a restaurant for the four of us. It didn’t take too much deliberation to pick Per Se. This would be my first time dining here and the first Thomas Keller restaurant for the rest of the party.
While traveling in New York City for business, I took a couple of days off to explore the city. That meant a few open meals to plan in town and a dizzying array of options. After plenty of deliberation, I decided on The NoMad for a solo lunch.
The NoMad, inside the hotel of the same name, is the second restaurant from the Eleven Madison Park team of Daniel Humm and Will Guidara. The food and vibe here is much more casual than its highly-acclaimed sibling, but The NoMad has plenty of accolades in its own right. It currently holds one Michelin star and is ranked #67 on Pellegrino’s world’s best restaurant’s list.
I’ve been to the Beverly Hills and Las Vegas locations of Bouchon numerous times although I had not been to Bouchon’s first location here in Yountville (until now). I’d like to think I’m very familiar with the cuisine here; the menu at all Bouchon locations is pretty much the same serving up Thomas Keller’s interpretation of French bistro food. One thing that does set this location apart is that it’s garnered a Michelin star.
The French Laundry 6640 Washington St Yountville, CA 94599 Dining date: 5/24/15 I’ve been lucky enough to visit The French Laundry a handful of times. It’s always a memorable experience with delicious food, precise execution, and warm service. This most recent visit was thanks to a reservation I was able to obtain when the restaurant’s reservation…
Peter Luger Steak House 178 Broadway Brooklyn, NY 11211 Dining date: 3/2/15 Peter Luger is perhaps the most famous steakhouse in the nation (and the world?), known for consistently serving top-notch steaks since 1887. Every single time I see a list of top steakhouses in the nation, Peter Luger seems to be at or near…
Eleven Madison Park 11 Madison Ave New York, NY 10010 Dining date: 2/28/15 Eleven Madison Park was one of my most anticipated meals in a long time. Since chef Daniel Humm and manager Will Guidara took over the place in 2006, the restaurant has skyrocketed to be regarded as one of the best in the…
L’Astrance 4 rue Beethoven 75016 Paris, France Dining date: 10/28/14 After lunch at l’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, our last meal in Paris was dinner here at l’Astrance. A Michelin three star and currently #38 on the world’s best restaurant list, it was our toughest reservation too as the popular restaurant has 25 tables and is open only…
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon 5 rue de Montalembert 75007 Paris, France Dining date: 10/28/14 This Paris Saint-Germain location was the first of Joel Robuchon’s l’Atelier concepts, which is now a worldwide chain. Holding two Michelin stars and ranked #31 in the latest world’s best restaurant list (and as high as #12 in 2012), it’s oft-regarded…