{"id":137,"date":"2009-05-18T16:30:00","date_gmt":"2009-05-18T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/endoedibles.ifm.yji.mybluehost.me\/?p=137"},"modified":"2009-05-18T16:30:00","modified_gmt":"2009-05-18T16:30:00","slug":"le-bernardin-new-york-ny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/?p=137","title":{"rendered":"Le Bernardin, New York NY"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><\/p>\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqky73tC8I\/AAAAAAAADCM\/IB5i3F-ZXfI\/s1600-h\/076+-+Le+Bernardin+(2).JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761503172889538\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqky73tC8I\/AAAAAAAADCM\/IB5i3F-ZXfI\/s320\/076+-+Le+Bernardin+(2).JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761503172889538\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqky73tC8I\/AAAAAAAADCM\/IB5i3F-ZXfI\/s320\/076+-+Le+Bernardin+(2).JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<div>Having had my first \u201cMichelin Three Star\u201d experience at the famed French Laundry in February \u2013 further enhanced by a requested extended tasting menu specially prepared by Chef Lee himself \u2013 I was thrilled to find out that reservations at New York\u2019s Three Star Establishments didn\u2019t take 2-months-to-the-date-at-10:00am-reservations to get in\u2026I was further enthralled by the fact that they offered lunch with the same quality service and mostly the exact same menu options.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Knowing that I\u2019d have three lunches available and browsing the museum and gallery schedule I decided Le Bernardin would be optimal for a Monday Lunch after the Guggenheim and Neue \u2013 although I must admit I didn\u2019t quite expect the huge mass of persons I encountered on the way there as Pratt was celebrating graduation at the Radio City Music Hall.<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkzh4nSUI\/AAAAAAAADCk\/FtCEfpUadj8\/s1600-h\/078+-++Le+Bernardin+Seating+(3).JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761513377253698\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkzh4nSUI\/AAAAAAAADCk\/FtCEfpUadj8\/s320\/078+-++Le+Bernardin+Seating+(3).JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761513377253698\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkzh4nSUI\/AAAAAAAADCk\/FtCEfpUadj8\/s320\/078+-++Le+Bernardin+Seating+(3).JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/div>\n<div><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">A great admirer of Chef Ripert\u2019s long-term tenure in the kitchen of Le Bernardin despite his many other ventures \u2013 something a number of other entrepreneur chefs have not managed \u2013 and having recently browsed through On The Line I must say I very much anticipated the visit before even walking through the doors and was particularly impressed by the correspondence via e-mail \u2013 timely, professional, and accommodating to say the least.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Arriving approximately 10 minutes late for my 12:30 reservation I was greeted promptly by the host\/hostess combination at the stand and with my bag checked was told \u201cDr. U, I asked the chef to sign a copy of the menu for you and I\u2019ll place it with your bag if that is okay.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Before even taking my seat I was impressed!<\/span><\/p>\n<div><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkzek6zMI\/AAAAAAAADCc\/fir02I8t5WA\/s1600-h\/078+-++Le+Bernardin+Seating.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761512489340098\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkzek6zMI\/AAAAAAAADCc\/fir02I8t5WA\/s320\/078+-++Le+Bernardin+Seating.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761512489340098\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkzek6zMI\/AAAAAAAADCc\/fir02I8t5WA\/s320\/078+-++Le+Bernardin+Seating.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">Taking a seat in the large and open dining room I have to admit I was a bit surprised \u2013 nothing like the intimacy of The Laundry, but just as professional and fluid in all motions.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>A small bar up front featured a small man dining alone and drinking champagne while the rest of the room was approximately half full \u2013 at least for the first 45 minutes until many of the Pratt graduates began showing up for a celebratory lunch (a very refined and quiet group of individuals, I was duly impressed.)<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Seated at the table next to me \u2013 two well heeled elderly lawyers who, from my unintentional eves dropping, clearly knew the NYC dining scene quite well \u2013 to the extent that the waiters knew them by name and Chef Ripert personally came to their table and had a 5-10 minute conversation later on (more on this interesting bit later.)<\/span><\/div>\n<div><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><\/span> <\/div>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">Greeted pleasantly by my primary server (and later by his 5-6 assistants) I was glad to have a single primary thoughout the meal \u2013 much like TFL (and thankfully nothing like the assembly line at Manresa.)<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Presented with the extensive menu of amazing sounding fishes the lunch format was explained and when I asked if I could order an extra course to replicate dinner I was assured that would be \u201cwonderful.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Having already extensively drooled (I mean read) over the online menu I must admit I still had some trouble deciding on my courses and while I was deciding I was brought a complimentary glass of champagne (-$34 on the bill,) a nice touch even though I know little about wines and champagnes I liked it more than the ones provided at TFL and Trotters.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>After a short while I best assessed how to maximize my experience with tastes and textures and made my order.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqkzExGFsI\/AAAAAAAADCU\/gxGaj40GdhE\/s1600-h\/077+-+Le+Bernardin+Place+Setting.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761505561089730\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqkzExGFsI\/AAAAAAAADCU\/gxGaj40GdhE\/s320\/077+-+Le+Bernardin+Place+Setting.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761505561089730\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqkzExGFsI\/AAAAAAAADCU\/gxGaj40GdhE\/s320\/077+-+Le+Bernardin+Place+Setting.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">Shortly after placing my order I was brought Le Bernardin\u2019s signature \u201camuse\u201d if you will \u2013 toasted country bread with salmon cr\u00e8me spread.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Not typically a fan of salmon (or \u2018spreads\u2019 for that matter) I have to say I was a little hesitant at first and placed only a small amount on the bread \u2013 the smell was clean and un-fishy and the taste \u2013 wow.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Creamy and zesty, meaty yet refined and well seasoned \u2013 every aspect from the cream to the fish simply melted in the mouth while the bread lent appropriate texture.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Having already seen the extensive bread basket walk by once I tried to take it easy on this dish but will admit I finished nearly 3\/4 of the spread between the toasted bread and the basket bread.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkz6H4hQI\/AAAAAAAADCs\/6KjyFsXahew\/s1600-h\/079+-+toasted+country+bread+and+smoked+salmon+spread+(2).JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761519883748610\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkz6H4hQI\/AAAAAAAADCs\/6KjyFsXahew\/s320\/079+-+toasted+country+bread+and+smoked+salmon+spread+(2).JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339761519883748610\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqkz6H4hQI\/AAAAAAAADCs\/6KjyFsXahew\/s320\/079+-+toasted+country+bread+and+smoked+salmon+spread+(2).JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">As if reading my mind, the next person to stop by my table was indeed the bread man \u2013 and oh what a bounty he carried.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Although not all at once, I did manage to sample each of his options throughout the 140 minute meal and each was quite good while two were standouts and one would make my \u201clast meal\u201d bread basket for sure (an ever evolving list with TFLs Pain au Lait, Providence\u2019s Bacon Brioche, Crop\u2019s Cornbread, Alex\u2019s Cranberry Sunflower seed, and Trotter\u2019s Emmenthal Cheese Roll.)<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Each served warm and with a mildly flavorful cow\u2019s-milk butter sans salt the French roll and Whole Wheat were quite good though largely standard while the brioche, multi grain, and fig+date bread were all quite excellent examples of how to make a complex yet complimentary bread.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>The champion of the breads, however, was an extraordinary olive demi-baguette laced with rosemary that was almost \u201cbreadstick-like\u201d in its crust to center ratio and absolutely loaded with flavorful yet sweet olives \u2013 after a year of searching, finally an olive bread better than Gramercy Tavern.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmXRGRFSI\/AAAAAAAADC0\/J48XpLE-EuQ\/s1600-h\/080+-+Brioche+and+Date+and+Fig.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763226858034466\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmXRGRFSI\/AAAAAAAADC0\/J48XpLE-EuQ\/s320\/080+-+Brioche+and+Date+and+Fig.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763226858034466\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmXRGRFSI\/AAAAAAAADC0\/J48XpLE-EuQ\/s320\/080+-+Brioche+and+Date+and+Fig.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmXpiyBuI\/AAAAAAAADC8\/Nd8xII2IFyc\/s1600-h\/082+-+Olive+and+Multi+Grain.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763233420084962\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmXpiyBuI\/AAAAAAAADC8\/Nd8xII2IFyc\/s320\/082+-+Olive+and+Multi+Grain.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763233420084962\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmXpiyBuI\/AAAAAAAADC8\/Nd8xII2IFyc\/s320\/082+-+Olive+and+Multi+Grain.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmX77N84I\/AAAAAAAADDE\/749Kq-ULJb4\/s1600-h\/083+-+French+and+Whole+Wheat.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763238354416514\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmX77N84I\/AAAAAAAADDE\/749Kq-ULJb4\/s320\/083+-+French+and+Whole+Wheat.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763238354416514\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmX77N84I\/AAAAAAAADDE\/749Kq-ULJb4\/s320\/083+-+French+and+Whole+Wheat.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">Approximately 15 minutes after placing my order, my first dish \u2013 from the \u201cRaw\u201d menu was brought \u2013 entitled Tuna &#8211; Layers of thinly pounded yellowfin, foie gras on toasted baguette, shaved chives and Olive Oil I thought I had some clue of what to expect, but what I receive toppled any expectations and set the bar for everything that followed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Quite honestly, to simply call this tuna \u201cthinly pounded yellowfin\u201d is an insult \u2013 what it was, in fact, was as smooth, succulent, and melt-in-your-mouth as good toro and the flavor was peaked yet not at all lost or masked by the wonderful chives.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Contributing to the overall mouth-feel was the complexity of the rich olive oil and beneath the flattened fish, a surprise of sorts \u2013 a small strip of toasted bread topped with a 1\/4 inch thick terrine of foie gras.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>While unnecessary to make the dish great, the mildness of the fish actually allowed the taste and texture of the liver to shine through and the baguette added a bit of nuance and texture \u2013 all told a few simple ingredients in small portions used to their maximum &#8211; a theme I\u2019d seen at The French Laundry and would experience with each subsequent dish at Le Bernardin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmYBWHA9I\/AAAAAAAADDM\/HwsOCqsR_w8\/s1600-h\/085+-+Tuna+-+Layers+of+thinly+pounded+yellowfin,+foie+gras+on+toasted+baguette,+shaved+chives+and+evoo.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763239809385426\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmYBWHA9I\/AAAAAAAADDM\/HwsOCqsR_w8\/s320\/085+-+Tuna+-+Layers+of+thinly+pounded+yellowfin,+foie+gras+on+toasted+baguette,+shaved+chives+and+evoo.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763239809385426\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmYBWHA9I\/AAAAAAAADDM\/HwsOCqsR_w8\/s320\/085+-+Tuna+-+Layers+of+thinly+pounded+yellowfin,+foie+gras+on+toasted+baguette,+shaved+chives+and+evoo.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">Dish two, from the lightly touched portion of the menu, was named Crab- Stuffed Zucchini Flowers with Peekytoe Crab and Black Truffle Sauce.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Like the previous dish, the name tells the story in \u201cwhat\u201d you get, but it does not come close to portraying the miraculous flavor.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Fresh crab, flawlessly prepared Zucchini Flowers, and a sauce poured tableside that tastes largely like truffles dissolved in a buttery seafood stock \u2013 my only complaint would be that if allowed I\u2019d have eaten twenty instead of two.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Not the \u201cmust order\u201d level of the Tuna, but certainly one of the nicest crab presentations I\u2019ve had.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmYedZsfI\/AAAAAAAADDU\/MwGfyaCZooU\/s1600-h\/086+-+Crab-+Stuffed+Zucchini+Flowers+withPeekytoe+Crab,+Black+Truffle+Sauce.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763247624598002\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmYedZsfI\/AAAAAAAADDU\/MwGfyaCZooU\/s320\/086+-+Crab-+Stuffed+Zucchini+Flowers+withPeekytoe+Crab,+Black+Truffle+Sauce.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763247624598002\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqmYedZsfI\/AAAAAAAADDU\/MwGfyaCZooU\/s320\/086+-+Crab-+Stuffed+Zucchini+Flowers+withPeekytoe+Crab,+Black+Truffle+Sauce.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">For my main course I have to admit there were approximately six options that sounded remarkable, but given my love for langoustines I ended up choosing Bass-Langoustine &#8211; Baked Wild Striped Bass and Langoustine; Confit Tomato Agolotti; Bouillabaisse Consomme and Curry Emulsion \u2013 and I couldn\u2019t have been happier with my choice.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Though I cannot be positive as I\u2019ve had some truly remarkable fishes in my time, I can definitely state confidently that this dish was on par with the very best.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Texturally the fish was indeed called baked \u2013 but however it was baked certainly isn\u2019t a result I achieve when baking fish \u2013 this \u201cbaked fish\u201d was on par with the succulent sous-vide options at TFL, Providence, and Manresa \u2013 flavorful, fresh, and perfect.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Complimenting the fish were several small pockets of the most flavorful tomato pasta I\u2019ve ever tasted and a pair of sauces poured tableside \u2013 a bouillabaisse that tasted like the very essence of the sea and a curry emulsion that provided less spice than would be expected, but instead a salty\/savory \u201cthickness\u201d to the broth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Three-Star or not, I asked for an extra piece of brioche to mop the plate clean \u2013 truly a superb dish.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnnwrYS6I\/AAAAAAAADDc\/7DRRAWn_Go4\/s1600-h\/087+-+Bass-Langoustine+-+Baked+Wild+Striped+Bass+and+Langoustine%3B+Confit+Tomato+Agolotti%3B+Bouillabaisse+Consomme+and+Curry+Emulsion.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764609724730274\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnnwrYS6I\/AAAAAAAADDc\/7DRRAWn_Go4\/s320\/087+-+Bass-Langoustine+-+Baked+Wild+Striped+Bass+and+Langoustine%3B+Confit+Tomato+Agolotti%3B+Bouillabaisse+Consomme+and+Curry+Emulsion.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764609724730274\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnnwrYS6I\/AAAAAAAADDc\/7DRRAWn_Go4\/s320\/087+-+Bass-Langoustine+-+Baked+Wild+Striped+Bass+and+Langoustine%3B+Confit+Tomato+Agolotti%3B+Bouillabaisse+Consomme+and+Curry+Emulsion.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">Shortly following the main course my waiter stopped by and smiled \u2013 \u201cwow, you must\u2019ve really loved that\u201d he laughed.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Collecting the plate he said \u201cgive me a moment before dessert, I\u2019ll see if the chef has time to say hello.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Approximately 5 minutes later Chef Ripert made his second appearance in the dining room to say hello and ask how I was <span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin\">enjoying the meal \u2013 pleasant and nonchalant we talked for a few moments, shook hands, and he was off to visit another table in back.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Moments later my waiter appeared again with \u201ca gift from the kitchen\u201d and seeing what he brought I smiled boldly.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Described as Egg &#8211; milk chocolate pot de creme, caramel foam, maple syrup, maldon sea salt the dish was amazing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>The first \u201cDessert egg\u201d I\u2019ve ever received, it is hard to compare to other famous preps, but considering egg dishes are amongst my favorite approaches to haute cuisine I must say this one was amazing.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Layered, textural, creamy, sweet and savory at once \u2013 the most cloudlike egg custard perched beneath carmel foam and atop a creamy chocolate\/syrup layer with crunchy bits of salt \u2013 there was no way dessert could top pre-dessert.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin\"><a href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnoJAsjyI\/AAAAAAAADDk\/3BzD_aGwcd4\/s1600-h\/088+-+%27Egg%27+-+Milk+chocolate+pot+de+creme,+caramelized+egg+foam,+maple+syrup,+maldon+sea+salt++(2).JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764616256589602\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnoJAsjyI\/AAAAAAAADDk\/3BzD_aGwcd4\/s320\/088+-+%27Egg%27+-+Milk+chocolate+pot+de+creme,+caramelized+egg+foam,+maple+syrup,+maldon+sea+salt++(2).JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764616256589602\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnoJAsjyI\/AAAAAAAADDk\/3BzD_aGwcd4\/s320\/088+-+%27Egg%27+-+Milk+chocolate+pot+de+creme,+caramelized+egg+foam,+maple+syrup,+maldon+sea+salt++(2).JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnofN09xI\/AAAAAAAADDs\/6gmOkzFInnE\/s1600-h\/088+-+%27Egg%27+-+Milk+chocolate+pot+de+creme,+caramelized+egg+foam,+maple+syrup,+maldon+sea+salt++(3).JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764622217246482\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnofN09xI\/AAAAAAAADDs\/6gmOkzFInnE\/s320\/088+-+%27Egg%27+-+Milk+chocolate+pot+de+creme,+caramelized+egg+foam,+maple+syrup,+maldon+sea+salt++(3).JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764622217246482\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnofN09xI\/AAAAAAAADDs\/6gmOkzFInnE\/s320\/088+-+%27Egg%27+-+Milk+chocolate+pot+de+creme,+caramelized+egg+foam,+maple+syrup,+maldon+sea+salt++(3).JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin\">S<\/span><\/span><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">till gushing internally about meeting Chef Ripert and eating that sublime Egg I was next brought my real dessert and a basket of mignardises.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Entitled Chocolate-Sweet Potato &#8211; Dark Amedei Chocolate Ganache, Sweet Potato Pearls and Sorbet, Pistachio, Palm Sugar, Vanilla Salt this was my second day in a row of the amazing Tuscan chocolate, albeit this time as a ganache as opposed to a lava cake.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Once again accompanied by ingredients to naturally enhance both the sweets and bitters of this extraordinary chocolate, Le Bernardin took it another step further with the addition of a vanilla salt that brought out the chocolate\u2019s more floral tones beautifully.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>The additional sweet potato components completed the dish with a myriad of textures from the cool and creamy sorbet to the gelatinous pearls and the crunch of the tuille.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>The included basket of mignardises consisted of two types of cookie &#8211; Pistachio financiers and Coconut Madelines both of which were fresh, warm, and melted in the mouth bringing a wonderful meal to an end.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqno2gKBgI\/AAAAAAAADD0\/7LtaTvW1kts\/s1600-h\/089+-+Chocolate-Sweet+Potato+-+Dark+Amedei+Chocolate+Ganache,+Sweet+Potato+Pearls+and+Sorbet,+Pistachio,+Palm+Sugar,+Vanilla+Salt.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764628468139522\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqno2gKBgI\/AAAAAAAADD0\/7LtaTvW1kts\/s320\/089+-+Chocolate-Sweet+Potato+-+Dark+Amedei+Chocolate+Ganache,+Sweet+Potato+Pearls+and+Sorbet,+Pistachio,+Palm+Sugar,+Vanilla+Salt.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764628468139522\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/Shqno2gKBgI\/AAAAAAAADD0\/7LtaTvW1kts\/s320\/089+-+Chocolate-Sweet+Potato+-+Dark+Amedei+Chocolate+Ganache,+Sweet+Potato+Pearls+and+Sorbet,+Pistachio,+Palm+Sugar,+Vanilla+Salt.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnpDx5CVI\/AAAAAAAADD8\/HgGk1kpgpaM\/s1600-h\/090+-+Pistachio+financiers+and+coconut+madelines.JPG\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764632032184658\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grey-opaque\/plugins\/lazy-load\/images\/1x1.trans.gif\" data-lazy-src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnpDx5CVI\/AAAAAAAADD8\/HgGk1kpgpaM\/s320\/090+-+Pistachio+financiers+and+coconut+madelines.JPG\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand\" id=\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764632032184658\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/_xdnxgKcsXfw\/ShqnpDx5CVI\/AAAAAAAADD8\/HgGk1kpgpaM\/s320\/090+-+Pistachio+financiers+and+coconut+madelines.JPG\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin\"><\/span><span style=\"mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin\"><span style=\"font-family:Calibri;\">All told I left Le Bernardin amazed by the food and level of service, but somewhat saddened that seafood of such a caliber simply doesn\u2019t exist in the Midwest \u2013 Chef Ripert\u2019s talents, clearly honed over many years, combined with excellent fresh fish were simply redefining of what can be done with creatures of the sea \u2013 as much so or better than what I experienced at Providence.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Another note of sadness came from the conversation I overheard at the table next to me in which the men asked Chef Ripert if he planned to retire when the lease ran out.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>Chef Ripert responded \u201cwell, certainly not if we renew\u201d to which the man responded \u201cwell, when I talked to Maguy she said that didn\u2019t seem very likely.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>After a short pause the chef stated, \u201cwe\u2019ll, I\u2019m certainly not retiring either way, and who knows \u2013 things could turn around\u201d and the men said \u201cGood \u2013 New York needs you.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>All that noted, if Le Bernardin should close its doors when the lease runs out I will be honored to have had a chance to eat there and would recommend anyone who has not had the privilege to do so soon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  <\/span>If they don\u2019t renew the lease, you\u2019ll be grateful to have had the chance \u2013 if they do, you\u2019ll probably want to go back \u2013 I know I do.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having had my first \u201cMichelin Three Star\u201d experience at the famed French Laundry in February \u2013 further enhanced by a requested extended tasting menu specially prepared by Chef Lee himself \u2013 I was thrilled to find out that reservations at &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/?p=137\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,107,13,45,27,181,24,69,15,83,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bread-basket","category-crab","category-dessert","category-foie","category-food","category-le-bernardin","category-lobster","category-madeline","category-new-york","category-truffle","category-vacation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/endoedibles.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}