Cherche Midi

Cherche Midi is the newest French brasserie (opened in June) from restauranteur Keith McNally and since I love his other restaurants (Balthazar and Minetta Tavern), I had certain expectations for this restaurant. Unfortunately I was not impressed with my meal and will definitely stick to the my usual two in the future.

Steak Tartare - Toasted Baguette and Market Greens 
I liked how the tartare was not too minced and it was nicely seasoned. However, it's better at Balthazar. 

Pot de Fromage - Parmesan Custard with Anchovy Butter Toast 
I really liked the cheesiness of the custard but it was a bit too eggy and the texture got a bit weird after a few bites. I loved the anchovy butter toast though. 

Steak Frites with Béarnaise Sauce
The fries were good but the steak was incredibly mediocre. Just a very meh piece of steak... quite chewy. 

Roasted Cauliflower with Sauce Gribiche
I was really excited for this dish because I heard so many great things on the Yelp reviews but once again while the flavors were delicious... there was also an issue with the texture with this dish. The cauliflower was way overcooked and very mushy. I get that cauliflower is in general a soft vegetable but it was just much too soft. I loved the sauce gribiche though, it was tangy and very yummy. 

Bone-in Skate Wing Meuniere with an Onion Fennel Soubise
This may have been the best dish of the night.  The skate was seasoned perfectly and had a perfectly crispy exterior while maintaining a wonderfully delicate interior. 

It is a shame that I was not too pleased with my meal as I love discovering new delicious french brasseries (hello Lafayette!). I hear that their prime rib is actually a big hit but I probably will not be back to try it out!

Cherche Midi

282 Bowery

10012

Les Halles

Les Halles is a french restaurant that is famous for their steak frites and for having Anthony Bourdain as its former executive chef.

Escargots - Snails Roasted in Garlic Butter 
The snails were plumb and I loved soaking up the garlic butter with my bread. I also enjoyed how the snails were already out of the shell because sometimes I have difficulty extracting it and almost have a Pretty Woman moment. Having the snails out of the shell also allows the garlic butter to seep into the snails and result in a stronger flavor. 

Salade d’Auvergne arugula, endive, bleu d’Auvergne, roasted walnuts and apples with walnut vinaigrette
I loved this flavor combination and this salad was definitely needed as we had a lot of meat and fries.

Steak Tartare - Lean Top Round, Ground to Order
I really liked how this was ground to order and made table side, that was definitely a nice touch. The meat was a little too minced for my liking but the taste was on point. 

Foie Gras Poëlé aux Pommes - Foie Gras Sautéed with Apple, Walnuts, and Calvados Sauce
Guhhh this was delicious. The foie was smooth and fragrant and the apple's sweetness balanced that richness of the foie perfectly. 

Coq au Vin - Rooster Braised in Red Wine, Bacon, Button Mushrooms and Pearl Onion
This dish was incredibly well done and I was very impressed with the complexity and richness of the flavors. It tasted like how red velvet feels if that makes any sense. The pearl onions were very sweet and the chicken was juicy and tender. 

Noix de St. Jacques Poêléesaux Champagne - Pan Seared Scallops with Artichoke Barigoule and Champagne Cream Sauce
The scallops were seared perfectly and were plump and juicy. The artichokes were also able a great accompaniment to the scallops. 

Confit de Canard - Crispy Duck Leg Confit, Frisée Salad, and Truffled Potatoes
The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was juicy. I still think Balthazar's duck confit is still #1 as it is just so incredibly flavorful and delicious but this is also well done. 

Overall I enjoyed the meal and think that this is a nice option when you want well executed French Brasserie fare. Balthazar is still my favorite but it is usually more difficult to get reservations so this would be a nice second choice. I also did not get the steak frites so I would definitely be happy to come back to try their iconic dish.

Les Halles 

411 Park Avenue South

New York

NY 10016

Lafayette

I have a soft spot for French Bistros and spotted Lafayette which is right next to the Noho SoulCycle location. The space looked lovely with large windows and warm lights inside. The menu also looked very appetizing and I am happy to say that the food was also delicious! I had a great catch up dinner with K and we loved every bite! They also make a mean vesper which is a big plus in my book. Our server was also very friendly and professional. I will definitely be back.

Prime Beef Tartare “New Orleans,” Tabasco Aioli, Quail Egg
This was perfectly seasoned and also cut up to the ideal consistency, not too chunky and not too minced. The bread was also amazing with its perfect grill marks and tangy flavor.

Duck au Poivre, Organic Grains, Radish, Smoked Bacon
K and I both widened our eyes when we bite into this. It was absolutely delicious! The duck was incredibly tender and just full of flavor. The organic grains had so much texture and the sauce was very complex and smokey. A must order! 

Roasted Pork Chop, Wild Mushrooms, Brussels Sprouts
While we enjoyed the duck more, this dish was also expertly made. The brussels sprouts were roasted to perfection and the pork chop was juicy and had a great crust on the outside. The apple slices also added the ideal crunch and freshness to this dish. 

I had such a great meal here and will definitely be back! I hear that they do a great brunch also so I am looking forward to trying that. 

Lafayette

390 Lafayette Street 

New York 

NY 10003

Minetta Tavern

While I'm sure you've all heard about me saying "I've been waiting to try this restaurant for a long time", I think Minetta Tavern really takes the cake here. I've been hearing about this burger for SO LONG and every time I try to book it on OpenTable the times are abysmal. While my eyes have been set on the burger for some, when M the steak eater extraordinaire declared that Minetta has one of the best Côte de Boeuf in town, I knew it was finally time for me to take the plunge and eat there. Thankfully W was able to get us a reservation for a decent time (calling is much better than OpenTable). Service was very friendly and I also loved the atmosphere. The steak was seriously AMAZING, the burger was delicious but the steak was really what blew me away. Everything was cooked well and I definitely look forward to returning. Definitely make sure you come with a decent sized group so that you can order the steak along with other dishes!

Pasta Za Za - Fresh Pasta with Pancetta, Sage, Parmesan, and a Fried Egg
This was very creamy and well made, the pasta was nice and chewy and the bacon was yummy and crispy. However, I did not think the flavors were very outstanding or memorable. Perhaps an extra kick of sage would make it more interesting. 

Special of the Day - Grilled Octopus 
Perfectly grilled octopus on top of a bed of assorted greens and beans. This was very fresh and flavorful and a great lighter dish before our gluttonous dishes came

Black Label Burger - Selection of Prime Dry-aged Beef Cuts with Caramelized Onions and Pomme Frites 
The famous famous burger. The patty was melt in your mouth and had a great beefy flavor but I didn't have a life changing moment when I bit into it. I know that many of my friends who swear by this burger love it for the patty but I do put a lot of emphasis on the add ons to my burger (cheese, onions, bacon, mushrooms, you get it) so maybe that's why it wasn't that mind-blowing for me. However I do think that this is definitely worth a try and it was an extremely solid burger.

YASSSSSS (this is two orders) 

Dry-aged Côte de Boeuf with Roasted Marrow Bones and Gem Lettuce Salad 
M was right when he said this was amazing. The meat was so incredibly tender and juicy and the char was just out of this world. The steak was cooked so perfectly and the flavor of the meat was also on point. It is definitely a fatty cut but the fat was not overwhelming and was just incredibly rich and flavorful. I had a couple bites with the marrow but it did get a bit too intense after a while The jus is so complex in flavor and takes the steak to the next level. I could not stop shoving my face and I think I shocked my male companions with my black hole consumption. 

What a beautyyyy 

Chocolate Souffle 
I smelt a strong scent of chocolate throughout the meal and I knew that this had to be something that I had to get at the end no matter how full I was. This was whatever you expect a perfect chocolate souffle to be, extremely rich, chocolately, and piping hot. This was the perfect end to the meal and I could not be more pleased. 

Minetta Tavern absolutely did not disappoint. The food was all delicious and I had a great night of food and drink with old and new friends. This is definitely not something I can eat all the time if I plan to fit into my apartment but an absolutely worthy indulgent meal!

Minetta Tavern

113 Macdougal Street

New York

NY 10012

Balthazar

W and I were in Soho on a Friday or Saturday night and was looking for a place for dinner, Balthazar is always extremely packed so we totally did not expect to be able to grab a table at such a prime time but we were pleasantly surprised! I love the atmosphere there and service was very friendly. As always the food was top notch.

Duck Confit - Yukon Gold Potatoes, Cipollini Onions, Wild Mushrooms, and Frisée 
The ultimate duck confit. The skin was so incredibly crispy and the flavor was rich and deep. The meat was also incredibly juicy and the onions and mushrooms were cooked perfectly. The frisée added the perfect crunch and freshness to this incredibly decadent dish. A must order if you are ever here!

Lobster Agnolotti 
Mmmm this was another amazing dish. The filling had a lovely sweet flavor and went very well with the plump pieces of lobster. The flavor was extremely tasty but also had a subtlety about it.

Balthazar 

80 Spring Street

New York

NY 10012

La Vache

Steak, bearnaise sauce, and unlimited fries?! Sounds like heaven to me. La Vache has been super hot since opening 1-2? years ago and I've been DYING to try this place. They only take reservations for 5+ people and I tried to go once for dinner with 4 people but the wait was ridiculous so I had to sadly wait for another time. This time we went for lunch and although we did make a reservation I think it is much easier to get a table during lunch time. The tables were half filled when I first arrived at 12:30 and the place slowly filled up but it did not seem like there would be difficulty in getting a table if you just walked in. La Vache pays homage to the famous Relais de Venise in Paris which serves just one menu of salad, steak, and fries (with their special sauce). The atmosphere was cute and you will be greeted with a large red neon sign as you walk in. I liked the cute little drawings on the menu and the paintings on the walls with the wine bottles in front. Service was also friendly and prompt.

I got a drink since the rest of my lunch party was not here yet... although it's not like I ever really need an excuse to get a drink :p 

Salad with Walnuts
The salad was fine, nothing special but the dressing was tangy and was a nice start to the meal. The addition of walnuts also gave it a nice crunch.

Entrecote Steak - Medium Rare and Rare
The steak was very tender and quite fatty - just how I like it. I usually prefer fatter cuts such as ribeye so this was perfect. Entrecote is approximately the ribeye section and I got it rare because it sits on a metal plate with a candle under. I loved the char on the outside and the bearnaise sauce was also yummy. One piece of steak was leaner than the others so perhaps if you prefer that you can tell the server. 

DROOL

Unlimited Fries 
The fries were SO good. They are on the crispier side and they were so delicious and I inhaled my first pile in a heartbeat. The second serving of fries was less fresh which was unfortunate but they were still very good. I loved dipping them in the bernaise sauce, ultimate fatty indulgence (apart from my usual fries and mayo)

Profiteroles with Ice Cream
I heard that there is a dessert cart during dinner service but we were given these profiteroles during lunch. It was a rather large dessert but a nice end to our meal. I think maybe one profiterole would have been enough as a small sweet treat to finish off the meal. 

Overall I loved La Vache!! The food was delicious and it was a really enjoyable lunch! I would love to come again for dinner with a group and indulge in wine and cocktails. Unfortunately it was a weekday lunch so we kept the alcohol level low. I will definitely be returning!

La Vache

48 Peel Street

Central

Hong Kong

Balthazar

Balthazar has been a favorite of mine since my college days (which is not too long ago...) and is known to have one of the best steak tartars in New York. Since T has a obsession with steak tartar I definitely wanted to bring him here to taste it. I have actually never dined at Balthazar at night and I actually prefer visiting in the daytime. It is a little bit too dark for my tastes in the evening and it is much more bright and lively for lunch. T thought the steak tartar was quite good but it did not seem to blow his mind. My steak was overcooked initially but once I told our server they instantly offered to change it and was extremely polite and apologetic. They also made sure to ask if the replacement was acceptable therefore it was not a big deal apart from the fact that I had to wait a little longer for the replacement.

Steak Tartare
This was a decent rendition of T's favorite dish but I don't think it is the best steak tartare we've ever had. It was seasoned well but perhaps a bit too oversauced.

French Onion Soup
This was very rich and the perfect indulgence. The layer of bread and cheese was very thick and the soup was full of oniony flavor.

Steak Au Poivre
This steak was recommended by the waitress and the sauce was very robust and bold. The steak as I mentioned earlier was overcooked but was fixed swiftly. The fries were perfect but I doubt I would order this again as this was not a preparation of steak that I favor but this is a personal preference. 

Oops I actually forgot what this was... but T really enjoyed this! 

Balthazar

80 Spring Street

New York

NY 10012

USA

Chez Patrick Deli

I have been to Chez Patrick in Star Street before with T and A before a 007 movie and we all agreed that the food was decent and of high standards. The atmosphere was also welcoming and prices reasonable. I would not say it's an all time favorite but it is definitely a solid choice for quality casual french cuisine. C was visiting me from Bombay and I decided to take her to Stanley. I haven't been to Stanley in AGES and it was crazy to see how different it looks! I still remember going to the Mcdonalds there as a high schooler and just laying down by the rocks during my free periods... really insane to think that that was over 5 years ago.

Stanley Plaza has been revamped and has a much more decent selection of cafes and restaurants now. Chez Patrick was one of them and we decided to have lunch here. The open front restaurant was perfect for the sunny day and the decor was very cute and comfortable. The french manager was friendly and professional and service was swift and attentive.

The bread was not warm but was very yummy. The crust was crunchy and the inside was very soft and chewy. The butter was also well salted and creamy.

Quiche of the Day - Spinach and Potato Quiche
The other classic quiche that was available was quiche with bacon and cream which sounded quite good too but since C didn't eat meat we opted for the quiche of the day. This quiche was also very delicious and probably much lighter than the previous choice. The amount of spinach was quite impressive but the quiche still maintained a lovely level of eggyness and richness. The potato slices were not too heavy either and the crust was flaky and buttery. The salad on the side was also fresh and well dressed in a tangy and sweet balsamic dressing. 

Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Emmental Cheese
This was a special lunch main of the day and it was absolutely luscious. The gnocchi was as fluffy and light as pillows and the mushroom sauce was flavorsome and earthy. We were suspecting that perhaps some sweet potato was used to make the gnocchi as there was a lovely sweetness to the dish that we could not quite put our finger on. The entire pot of goodness was kept steaming hot and each fluffy morsel covered with the mushroom and cheese sauce. This was seriously a dream in a pot. The sweetness was a bit surprising at first but was actually the highlight of the dish which made it shine. 

Steak Tartare with Fries and Side Salad
Mmmm one of my favorite things. I thought it was cute how I got to mix it all up myself much to the dismay of C (she used to be a vegan and now eating seafood and sometimes sausages haha). The fries were done very well and the salad was also a nice refreshing side. I felt that the tartare lacked a kick of flavor but the meat was fresh and of good quality. The presentation was also very appetizing (at least to me and those who love raw meat). Overall this was a decent tartare but maybe a bit more condiments would have made it even better.

YUMMMAYYY

Lunch was delicious and very enjoyable. The Stanley location is much more roomier as compared to the one in Wanchai but I am pleased to know that both restaurants are able to maintain the same high level of quality in food and service. Be sure to check out Chez Patrick!

Chez Patrick Deli

G/F

Shop 05-06

Stanley Plaza

Stanley

Hong Kong