back to Le Bernadin

Le Bernadin is a NY institution.  Elegant, classic and very adult.  Definitely a place to celebrate something.  They recently renovated and we had something to celebrate so we returned.  When Fred and Brad closed their partnership of Union Square Ventures, we went to Le Bernadin to celebrate.  Recently the partnership has grown into a family and it was fitting that we returned to Le Bernadin to celebrate the new future of Union Square Ventures. 

I did not go around the table taking pictures but stayed to my end and of course my food.  The restaurant was in definite need of a face lift.  They completed the construction project this past August, shutting down only for that month and opening the doors in September.  They did a beautiful job.  Warm soft lighting with light woods and a very chic bar.  The chairs are super comfortable and the colors are all in the brown family. 

I decided to be decadent starting with raw tuna served over a crispy piece of toast lightly slathered with foie gras.  How bad could that be? 

Raw pieces of fluke sitting in a light avacado jalapeno broth with tiny pieces of micro greens spread around the plate. 

Le Bernadin is all about the fish.  If you don't love fish, this is not the place for you.  Although they do have a handful of options which are probably delicious it is not what the chef is all about. 

Hamachi rolled around mint Thai basil sitting on top of a carrot-lime sauce. 

You can do a tasting menu but we opted for the four course which is one choice from the almost raw menu, another choice from barely touched, another choice from just cooked and then dessert.  Here is my barely touched dish.  Poached langoustines served with a warm mushroom salad, shaved foie gras and a white balsamic vinegar.  Wow.

Charred octopus with purple basil, black fermented beans, black ink and a miso vinaigrette.  Looks like thin slices of of Asian apple on top.  I just took a picture of this one.

Lightly cooked on the outside yellowfin tuna with a green peppercorn chutney on top.

Poached cod with thinly sliced white truffles on top over a light truffle butter sauce.  Quite delicious although I have to say I do prefer the appetizers here. 

Salted peanut butter caramel and malted milk crunch ice cream with a milk chocolate sitting over the top.  You really can't go wrong here and the presentation is to beautiful.

LIttle tray of last minute treats to finish off the meal. 

We had such a great time. An incredible group of people who are excited to be united under one roof.  A celebration at Le Bernadin was definitely the right call.