Luxeat

OAD's Top 100 US restaurants 2012 is out

 

Manresa in Los Gatos is  the number 1!  You can see the whole list here

Shake Shack at Madison square park

 

 

Shake Shack at Madison square park is a New York phenomenon that you should experience at least once. After queuing for one hour and waiting for my order another 15-20 minutes,I thought that Shake Shack  is more about an experience rather than a really  a good burger. The meat was nice and juicy, but the bun was too gummy and you have this greasy aftertaste in your mouth. I did regret waiting so long for a burger, but again, i probably would have regretted if i didn't.

 

 

Sushi Azabu, NY

 

If there is one sushi den in Manhattan that could be easily compared to top sushi restaurants in Tokyo, it would be Sushi Azabu. The location of the restaurant couldn't be more unassuming and is typically Japanese. It is hidden in a basement of Greenwich Grill ( probably owned by the same owners).

Brushstroke

 

 

I  think  that appreciation of Japanese kaiseki art grows with experience. First time  I had a kaiseki meal in Kyoto , i  found it too unusual to enjoy. The flavors of most of the dishes were very mild, kind of "muted" and some of the ingredients were quite bizarre. Then again,for an ignorant foreigner like me the über traditional Kikunoi  (3 Michelin stars) was probably not the best place to start in the first place. ( I liked much more  modern kaiseki at Kanamean Nishitomiya in Kyoto... )

Peter Luger Steakhouse

 

 

No matter what people might have to say about  Peter Luger Steakhouse , the best American steak i've had in my life was there. The place is not only historical,  legendary and has a Michelin star. What really shines there is the food. The quality of the beef is extraordinary , tender,  very tasty  and the pecan pie is to die for.

 

Some more images after the jump...

Roberta's,Brooklyn

During the daytime Roberta's is a pizzeria, at night - together with wood fired pizza more elaborate dishes are served. I was there for lunch, so i didn't have a chance to taste the evening dishes,but the thin crust pizzas were delicious. Great atmosphere, cool, artistic crowd- definitely worth a drive from Manhattan.
P.S. The home made lemonade is highly recommended.

New York..

Steaks are popular in many countries around the world, but only in the USA you get steaks like this

P.S. The spring has been super busy for me, i will be back to blogging shortly

Steak at Wolfgang's steakhouse, Tribeca

Ushiwakamaru New York

 Ushiwakamaru (136 West Houston Street,10012, tel. 212-228-4181, New York) sushi bar on West Houston  is one of my best discoveries  in NY this year.  If you are a sushi purist like me, you will love this simple place run by Japanese chef Hideo Kuribara where product is the king. The best sushi i've had in NY since the heydays of Sushi Yasuda.

Some more pics after the jump...

Eleven Madison Park

Tagliolini with king crab , black pepper and lemon

For me, Eleven Madison Park is one of the most interesting New York's fine restaurants at the moment.First design-wise -  it's vast Art Deco style dinning room with high ceiling opens your mind for new gastronomic adventures as soon as you enter the buiding. Swiss born Daniel Humm is the chef cooking at Eleven Madison Park . In a way his cuisine is quite classical but at the same time he transmits his very special aesthetics.

Momofuku Ssam Bar

Kusshi oysters with plum mignonette and Mattaki oysters with umeboshi

Despite of my sceptical Momofuku Ko review, I do think that it's great what David Chang is doing at the rest of his restaurants (which are more casual Momofuku Ssam Bar, Noodle Bar or ,the latest addition,Ma Pêche).

Where else you will find so many good things at one place? Slowly cooked pork shoulder(which you need to order in advance),fresh kusshi oysters, steamed pork buns and other Asian inspired dishes like spicy rice cakes with pork sausage and Chinese broccoli (or various noodles at the Momofuku Noodle Bar)...