Per Se

Yesterday I went to Thomas Keller's masterful New York City restaurant, Per Se.  Owner of the enouned French Laundry over in Napa Valley, Per Se will provide you not only with the most amazing food and service in New York, but an unforgettable dining experience.

The decor is elegant and modern.  On the 4th floor of the Time Warner Building, with a terrific view overlooking Columbus circle, in a sleek, spacious, and trendy environment that fits the whole nouveau french/american theme.  The service is impeccable. With 8 people we had about 5 different types of servers, and all courses coordinated for all the guests.  And of course, the food.  With a prix fixe meal of $275 per person (which can easily climb to $450 depending on some of the choices you make), it does not come cheap.  Somewhere to go for occasions, or on an expense account. (Luckily I wasn't paying) The menu changes daily, with a few signature dishes that are always there.  A 7 course meal (plus some extra complimentary treats) that will take your palate to amazing places! 

We chose a lovely bottle of Pinot Noir from the Russain River Valley (in Napa), the name I am forgetting (Chibo? something like that), but it was great.  The first course was their signature  "oysters and pearls", greek island oysters w/ tapioca and sturgeon caviar.  Simply marvelous, and is always the first course on the daily changing menu.  A few small complements followed including an amazing little salmon tartar cone, and a gruyere cheese ball that was an explosin of flavor in my mouth!  Next was a risotto, with fresh black Perigord truffles shaved on at tableside. Then came a seared scallop.  This was probably my least favorite of the dishes (but in itself so good), only because it was nothing more exciting than a scallop, yet cooked to perfection.   This was followed by another complimentary dish served in an egg shell, that was some mix of egg, truffles and somethin else. Never tasted anything like that! Smooth texture with such a unique taste!  Next came the foie. gras. tAhhhh the foie!! Even if you are not a fan of foie, I think you would become one.  A thin crisp surface, with a rich, flavorful chunk of foie gras that just melted in your mouth. YUM!  After that was the choice of lamb chop or the weygu steak.  My friend and I got one of each.  The lamb was tender, juicy, and not a hint of the harsh lamb odor, only rich in flavors.  The weygu steak as out of this world!  A type of Kobe, it was a sirloin cut of steak, and it melted in my mouth almost like the foie!  I wanted to run in the back, steal the steak, and run!  The tail end was a cheese plate, followed by the freshest guava sorbet, and my dessert was a divine banana pudding cake.

What is amazing to me is that the menu changes DAILY.  And it is always amazing dishes, with beautiful presentations as well.  The service I re-iterate, the best I've had.  The bill for 8 people (i snuck a peek) came out to about 2500 or something like that. Not bad eh?

On another note, I screwed up my back again.  Yes, the gimp is back.  I was good for 2 months, but of course didn't start my second course of physical therapy, or start my Yoga.  Ugh.  Now I threw it out again, and my lower back is in severe spasm.  I been lying at home for 3 days, missing work, and hobbling around with a cane.  Popping muscle relaxants and pain killers with a heating pad and back brace to deal.  When the fuck will this end?? I guess its partly my fault for not getting into a proper exercise program for my back.  Doctors are the worst patients.. Enough is a enough, I need to get my ass into gear before fellowship....