Here we go! Another episode of dinners from my beloved Top Chef contestants! I have safely landed on 95 dinners, even though it is probably more than that. I only count the first dinner of each contestant, so being that I dined at more than one restaurant of some contestants, it’s probably a little bit more, but who’s counting…. I have had the following dinners in New York City, so please do yourself a favor, look them up and go. All of them were outstanding. Just really, really awesome.
Maison Passerelle
Wow, wow, wow. Absolutely amazing. Stephen King said we’re overusing the word “amazing”, but sometimes it’s the only word that fits. Gregory Gourdet hails from Portland, Oregon, and I’ve been wanting to go to his restaurant Kann there, but I always hesitated to take that long flight from New York. No need to worry, Chef Gregory camped out in the Wall Street area, and I finally got to try his food. Gregory Gourdet appeared on Top Chef season 12, and was a semi-finalist, only to to be second to Mei Lin. All I have to say is: if this was second place, then holy smokes. The restaurant itself it gorgeous, the service impeccable, the food simply a dream.
I actually went twice! Once by myself, because I just couldn’t wait, and then again for a birthday dinner with a longtime friend. I tried so much good stuff! Salt Cod Fritters: a Caribbean delicacy paired with fermented chili remoulade. Citrus Cured Kampachi with smoked coconut milk, peach and ginger pickled Jicama, which was so, so beautiful. Crispy Skin Ocean Trout with plantain puree, exceptional. Slow Cooked Grouper with pepper confit, heavenly. Roasted Farm Chicken with preserved lemon, green olives, soubise, and a hefty dose of OMG. All of these dishes were not only plated absolutely beautiful, but it was without question some of the best food I ever had. Hurry up and go.
Chef Lana Lagomarsini Popup
Chef Lana was a semi finalist on the latest Top Chef season, number 22. She is a little power house, that packs a mighty flavor punch. Just a couple of weeks ago, she took residency at Fulgurances Laundromat, a Brooklyn restaurant that features chefs during a residency for a few weeks, or even months. Love that place. When I heard that Chef Lana took residency, I was there in a heartbeat.
Her dinner was an 8 course tasting menu, with some dishes that she featured on the Top Chef show. Dishes were (besides a snack in the beginning), Cured Trout with sorrel, Charred Okra salad with tomato and vinaigrette, Corn Gazpacho with Suya Salsa Macha, Oxtail Paté with pickled peppers and cilantro mustard, River Trout with Potlikker Consommé (from the show’s finale, amazing), Lamb with Tamarind BBQ and plantain. I got to try a new dessert she tried out, a caramelized banana with goodies that I unfortunately forgot the names of, but it was the best sweet treat ever. My favorite? The soup. I did lick the plate. I didn’t care. It was so good that caution was thrown to the wind. Absolutely everything was pure joy, edible joy, I hope she opens a restaurant here in NYC soon.
Paros
I am frequently in the mood for Happy Hour, I feel it’s the perfect time of day, not too late, not too early, and you get to try a bunch of goodies, that usually probably would be too much food. So where to go when in Tribeca? Paros of course. The owner is Chef George Pagonis, who also appeared on season 12, and made it to an impressive 5th place. His restaurant Paros is a sprawling bright restaurant, spacious and with the most authentic Greek food. Truly a gem.
Happy Hour here was the real deal. The cocktails were great, but the star of the show was the food. I treated myself to some Crispy Calamari (super fresh with a great tomato dip) and Spanakopita (sooooo authentic!). I have been hearing about their crab cakes, that they were the best in the city, which is not an easy feat. Of course I had to order them. They were two smaller ones, as opposed to one larger one, and I liked it, because you get more of the crust. Call me greedy. Overall, it was very nice. I will be back for a whole dinner, I imagine it will be awesome!
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