Thursday, July 24, 2014

#NewYorkRestaurantWeek - CLEMENT

There is a new Chef at The Peninsula Hotel's restaurant Clement.  This week is New York's Summer Restaurant Week and I have just had lunch at this wonderful special place.

Of course as it is in The Peninsula Hotel, expect the best decor and ambience.
You ascend the dramatic staircase from the entrance to Clement.
Above, a room where you can wait at the top if the staircase.
Or wait at the bar area with some drinks 
The dining area is large with a semi-private area at the end if one were to hold an initimate private gathering.  But to come right down what they have to offer for Restaurant Week:
Above is the warm corn salad with blueberries which I ordered ...
But the peakey toe crab in watermelon gazpacho looked so good when it came; that I would like to return to try.
The main dish I ordered was the seabass perfectly fried then served with a very light broth they poured in.
Above is the braised short ribs that our friend raved about which melted in her mouth.  That makes it two reasons for me to return!
There is a choice of 2 desserts.  Mine was their interpretation of the S'Mores.  The graham cracker is the wafer you see with some chocolate and the marshmallow is under that's been flames to melt and brown on top if a rich chocolate fudgy base. This is served with a mini scoop of vanilla ice cream. (Tastes like vanilla to me)
Or you can choose their light version of a strawberry shortcake pictured above.

They have other main course options including a vegetarian dish made with pasta.  This wonderful lunch at $25 plus tax and tip was a steal by any standard even abroad - and I have traveled!

But a good information to know is that they offer a Pre-Theater $43 prix-fixed 3-course menu plus shuttle service to the theater district; but reservations for the shuttle must be made by 12PM the day of the show.
THE CLEMENT
The Peninsula Hotel
700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street,
New York, NY 10019

#NewThaiRestaurant PEAK THAI

This restaurant opened a few months ago.  I finally tried it for lunch today.
This a small neighborhood restaurant that offers authentic Thai food.  Their menue has some additional choice that I have not had from previous Thai restaurant.  I like their take on the duck with spicy basil sauce which offers a healthy lunch with enough protein and vegetables:
The above duck dish was sautéed with onions and green beans.  I detect a bit of salty fish mixed in - sort of an anchovy taste.  I happen to like it. 

The order comes with a small salad and a fried Spring roll.
The place is open 7 days a week. Lucky for those who live within 3 blocks, they have another take out place in the neighborhood.  Good thing they also accept credit cards but with a minimum of $15 and they deliver for a minimum of $10.  Not only are they reasonably priced for everyday meals,  it's also clean.

PEAK THAI RESTAURANT
301 E 49th St., NYC, NY 10017

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

SHRIMP ROLL DEMO



Guacamole Demo.MP4