Hakkasan NYC

Close your eyes.  Drum up the tune of "True" by Spandeau Ballet in your mind.  Do you hear it?  Good. Now drop a techno beat on it  (sounds a little more like this, but without words).  Got it? Ok - now you're ready.

You inhale the spicy smoke of burning incense as you walk (slow motion, runway style) through a long, narrow corridor of sleek white marble, lit only by candles and a blue glow descending from the upscale Chinese dining heavens.  

Photo credit: pstandsfor.blogspot.com

At the end of the corridor you exchange knowing smiles with beautiful hosts who escort you to the bar area (fortunately, your table is not yet ready) which is filled with even more beautiful people. The volume of the music increases 10-fold.  But no matter. You are no longer in a bar or restaurant. You are transported.  You didn't really come here to eat, did you? No, no, silly you. You came to experience the sexy dining nightclub that is Hakkasan NYC. Sparkly dresses and smiles wink at you from all directions. Shiny locks of perfectly coiffed (and perhaps falsely extended) hair waft the warm, pheremone-filled breeze in your direction (still in slow motion, of course).  Clean-smelling men with crisp collars, appropriately oiled hair, and designer glasses glance in your direction as you make your way through the crowd to the bar. But only for a fleeting moment.  They can't appear too interested. They are just scoping the scene like you.  

Photo credit: 

You order your Classic Bellini (or if you are a man, the Long Dragon, naturally) from the chic bartender with the puffy bang.

Photo credit: New York Times (though this was actually our bartender as well).

A few sips and $40 later, your ever attentive (male model) host comes to whisk you and your cocktails away to your table for two seated across from a semi-celebrity who you are hardly recognize because she is enjoying herself so naturally and unselfconsciously in the restaurant where you, too, are dining just a month after its grand opening. Yes, you move in the food circles of such celebrities.  You savor your surroundings of beautiful people and famous friends when... "JENNY! Jenny!?  Are you ready to order??" 

Blast! I am awakened and interrupted from my living fantasy by Boyfriend Matt.  That's okay -- the reality is actually quite nice :) (see stud below).

Boyfriend Matt. Long Dragon. Peach Bellini.

Hot setting.

Such was my state of atmospheric euphoria Saturday night when Matt and I dined at Hakkasan NYC, New York's latest upscale Chinese cuisine establishment.  Preceded by locations in London, Miami, Dubai and Mumbai, Hakkasan has finally made its way to Hell's Kitchen (8th Ave. between 43rd and 44th Streets) a little over one month ago.  It is set in an unlikely but lucky location -- just a few steps from icky Times Square and ironically around the bend from Shake Shack, yet very fortunately just a few blocks from my apartment. 

Unsuspecting exterior of Hakkasan. View from south side of 43rd Street. 

I would say, "to make a long story short," but I've already made this story a bit long for the sake of incorporating music-induced visualization into my post.  Now I'll cut to the chase. The point is, Hakkasan NYC was wonderful.  Why?

THE FOOD & DRINK

AH-mazing.  We shared everything ordered, which was the intention of the restaurant according to our server Jake (who let me affectionately refer to him as Jakey... see more below on the great service).  To start we ordered Hakka steamed dim sum platter (prawn and chinese chive dumpling, black pepper duck dumpling, har gau, scallop shumai) and crispy duck rolls.  I loved all the dumplings in the dim sum except for one of them (though I can't remember which), and I was not a crazy fan of the duck rolls.  

Hakka steamed dim sum, and crispy duck rolls.

The entree: Grilled chilean sea bass with Chinese honey, with a side of some rice (I forget what kind). The sea bass was fantastic: smooth and buttery, perfectly prepared.  Also according to our server, Chinese honey is more potent and rich than the clover honey to which we're accustomed.  I couldn't really tell a difference.  All my stomach could discern was awesomeness.  We could have done without the rice. The flavor wasn't notable, and most of it went to waste.

Remnants of the devoured sea bass.

Side of forgettable rice.  

The grand finale: Assorted macaroons for desert, paired with the warm and creamy Tuscan Coffee desert cocktail.  Sadly we didn't take a photo of the macarons because we were too busy inhaling them.  I would have liked the server to identify the flavors because they were a bit hard to decipher apart from one which was definitely some sort of white chocolate.  Either way, delicious.

My adult coffee beverage.

THE SERVICE

Surprisingly great.  Jake was our server. He was fantastic, which I hadn't expected because I had read several reviews that the service was lacking. Jakey tolerated my questions about the difference between Chinese honey and regular honey, and he even humored me with a response when I asked why some female servers were wearing red dresses while others were wearing black.  I was sure it had something to do with the status of guests they were serving, but not according to Jake.  Apparently there was no real reason other than to just mix it up a bit.

The hosts were also extremely attentive.  After I came out of the restroom and began making my way back to our table, one of the hosts' ran after me, and asked me if I needed help finding my way to the table.  Royal treatment!  The bartender was great.  Though a bit slow, she was very personable and laughed with us when she accidentally broke the lemon rind garnish for Matt's Long Dragon drink.  All in all, terrific service.

THE ATMOSPHERE 


You've already spent enough time visualizing the atmosphere.  Needless to say it's sleek and sexy, though a little loud.  If the bar and dining area feel like a nightclub, the restroom certainly feels like a spa (the picture below doesn't capture it fully) with candles burning on the ground, dark slate walls, and heavy wooden doors.

Spa-like restroom.  I would have liked to hang out here a bit longer.

THE PRICE TAG  (the least amazing part)

Matt guessed the bill would be $150.  I guessed $225.  The actual bill was somewhere in the middle.  Though this is definitely more than we spend on a typical dinner out, it was not terrible considering we each had more than one cocktail, and we ordered desert.  Plus, I got my fair share of people watching in, so it was worthy of the price.   There were a few select menu items, however, that were out of our price range.... 

Yes you are seeing correctly. $888.  

THE LAST WORD

Overall, Hakkasan definitely lived up to my expectation of being a fun night out on the town without having to travel far from home.  I highly recommend it if you're not looking for a quiet dinner, but more for a place to people watch and enjoy the sleek club-like atmosphere. 

Enjoying life  :)

The B-List: Lincoln Ristorante

Matt did well last Saturday.  He surprised me by treating me to perfect evening at Lincoln Ristorante for Valentines Day per my special requests in "Intro" and "We Eat."  I was not expecting it at all, since we had been lounging most of the day when Matt casually suggested we go out for dinner.  I heartily agreed, not suspecting a thing until I saw him unpack his fancy pants and collared shirt, and take out the ironing board.  Still, I didn't think it was for any special reason.  Little did I know, this was the very night we would celebrate the day 'o Love, and we would be doing so at the recent object of my appetite's desire: Lincoln.

Pre-Lincoln

We entered Lincoln from the lower level entrance on 65th Street between Columbus and 10th Avenues (the alternate entrance is on the main/upper level in the interior of Lincoln Center).  We walked into a small foyer with nothing but a stairwell and an abandoned host's podium.  We weren't quite sure we were in the right place until we heard a high-pitched "Welcome! Do you have a reservation?" from the coat check room hidden off to our right. We didn't initially see the woman, so we were caught of guard and began laughing in surprise. She laughed with us, making us feel at once comfortable in this fancy establishment.  

We checked our coats and received a second greeting from another hostess who mysteriously appeared, and escorted us up a beautiful stairway (how can a stairway be beautiful, you ask? It had sparkly tiles which caught my eye -- I'm a sucker for sparkles). The stairway brought us into the main dining room where we were greeted again by three different hosts and led to our table.  Lincoln certainly does not skimp on attentive service.

The dining room was beautiful: dark wooden beams ran the full length of the high ceilings, and seamless glass panes enclosed the perimeter of the restaurant, granting us a clear view of Lincoln Center.  Dim lighting kept the room romantic, yet laughter and conversation at most tables made for an inviting atmosphere.  Immediately we noted the impeccable service: the staff staff were quiet and nonintrusive, yet knowledgeable, courteous and attentive.  

As for the main attraction, the food was delectable.  We began with bread service followed by mini bruschetta topped with herbed goat cheese, compliments of the chef. To drink we ordered from the Prosecco Bar. I chose Prosseco with peach puree and a strawberry liquor.  Matt picked a lime puree with a ginger liquor.  Tasty and bubbly, and lasted us through the entire meal.

For the appetizer, we chose the procsiutto di san daniele e focaccette: sliced prosciutto with cheese fritters and pepper relish.  The salty meat mixed with the cheese fritters (crispy on the outside, melty on the inside) was unbelievable (my mouth is watering now thinking about it). I've always loved prosciutto in red sauce, but only had it as an appetizer for the first time at Macelleria, an Italian steakhouse in the Meatpacking District where it was delicious.  Here at Lincoln, it also did not disappoint.

The main course for me was the capesante e biroldo: diver scallops with blood sausage, lentils and braised celery.  The scallops were so tender and almost buttery.  Matt ordered a pasta dish with lobster, mezzi rigatoni all'astice.  I liked mine better.

Although we were pleasantly full from the first two courses, we couldn't pass up a sweet treat so we ordered for dessert the affogoto -- gelato with espresso poured over it, paired with a zeppole.  Simply amazing.  

To top off the night, Raquel Welch was seated just two tables over from us.  Hearing her tell her eager table of listeners a few stories was quite entertaining and gave the restaurant a unique energy.  I particularly enjoyed watching the server attempt to politely interrupt Raquel to take her order.  He ended up waiting several minutes unnoticed. 

Tasting such delicious cuisine made me even more excited to one day dine at Per Se, since Jonathan Benno, the Chef of Lincoln, previously served as the Chef de Cuisine of Per Se. But until then, I have Lincoln in my mind:  Delicious meal, beautiful atmosphere and wonderful company. Thank you, Matt!

We EAT.

New Yorkers like to eat.  We take pride in it; not just in the act of eating itself, but in the feat of finding a restaurant that our friends haven't heard of or been to before.  A place we can write about on Facebook or take pictures of and post to our blogs (ummm what? who, me? nooo) or tell our non-New York family members/friends about.  Ok, maybe I'm just speaking for myself, but I really do think this desire to discover something cool/novel/exclusive is something most New Yorkers have in common (from my statistical studies, of course).  Like a bragging right of sorts.

Let me just try to describe this feeling to you: a few weeks ago when I purchased the Jan. 2-9th edition of New York magazine, I got a slight high when I saw it contained a list of the top 101 restaurants (according to Adam Platt). I literally took out my highlighter and permanent marker and began circling places I wanted to eat and jotting down the dates or occasions next to restaurants I had visited. It was like I was literally devouring the list.  I then texted anyone I had ever mentioned any of these restaurants to (prior to seeing them on the Platt list) to let them know I called it.  Funny, right? A little sad, you say? (please, don't judge). 

Perhaps I'm making myself out to sound a little more superficial and food-snobbish than I actually am. Truth be told, I've only been to 2 of the restaurants currently on the list (A Voce - #27, and The Four Seasons - #52), and 2 of the ones on the 2006 list (Tia Pol - #80 in '06, and August - #91 in '06).  Before seeing the list I had determined to go to Per Se (#3),  Eataly (#40), and Lincoln (#88) as seen on my Bucket List in my first post.  That means I was in the know on a total of 7 restaurants of the top  101... a whopping 7%! Are you impressed yet??

My point in all this is that it makes total sense that New Yorkers would thrive on on testing out unique eateries.  This city isn't filled with the chain restaurants that plague the 'burbs (with the exception of Ruby Tuesdays, Applebees, and Hardrock in Times Square).  There are tons of unique hole-in-the-wall places where we meet our friends and laugh and have wine and food and live.  Hence eating is one of my favorite things to do in the city. Yea, hence.

My all-time favorite restaurant that I have been to in New York is The Four Seasons (#52). Matt, my love, took me here for our first Valentine's Day dinner in February 2010. Sadly I don't have a picture of it, but it was truly the best dining experience.  The chairs at each table were placed adjacent to one another so I could snuggle up to my honey while eating. There wasn't even any music playing, which made it all the more romantic hearing the murmur of conversation throughout the dining room.  Matt and I also received a special treat here, but that's a story for another post :)  And of course the food was delicious.  If you are in the city and have the pleasure of eating here, I would highly recommend it:  http://www.fourseasonsrestaurant.com/index2.htm

The same quietness and sophistication that I love about The Four Seasons is what draws me to the new Lincoln Restaurant (#88) at Lincoln Center (http://www.lincolnristorante.com/).  I'm secretly hoping I get to go there this Valentines Day (wink wink Matty Boy).  This picture doesn't do it justice, but I try to make a habit of snapping photos of restaurants I hope to visit just so I don't forget. I highly suggest this practice if you're forgetful like me.

A couple others I've captured on the ole iPhone for future reference: Beauty & Essex (I keep getting rave reviews but have yet to go) and Pink Pony (just looked cute)...

 

Ahhh, ok now that we are done with all those words, here is a pictorial of some of my favorite moments over good eats with great people.

Gallo Nero - One of the best Italian joints in Hells Kitchen. This was my 25th birthday dinner in 2009, when I was just falling in love with this place. 

And here it is again, over 2 years later...just as good :)  Beware though, sometimes the scented candles are a little overpowering and give it a funny smell. 

Cafeteria - It took me forever to get here, but I finally did this past summer, 2011. The mac 'n cheese platter was delish, but not better than the raspberry lemonade. (Lindsay, how was the pickle?)

Caliente Cab - Per Jeff's insistence, we all had a blast here. The margs were spot-on, the guac was just right, and the company was perfecto (that's Spanish for perfect, right?).  CAUTION: do not go if you have motion sickness...you can feel the subway rumble beneath you while you eat. It makes for an authentic experience, though :)

                                        

                                          

                                                     

Rosa Mexicano (Lincoln Center) - This has been my favorite place for guacamole for a long time, though I think they are starting to slack a little. Nonetheless, it's still a classic and their pomegranate margaritas are amAzing. Matt and I went here for a casual 2nd anniversary celebration in August 2011. <3  We were brave and tried bone marrow for the first time. I was not a fan (I'm sure that disqualifies me from receiving any food connoisseur honors).

                   

Pepe Giallo - Jill and Lindsay's date restaurant.  A tiny little Italian spot. Quite scrumptious. Heather enjoying some wine. Ty, Jill and Heather. Me, Matt and Lindsay. 

∫BIlly's Bakery - Not a restaurant. Banana cupcakes. The end. (Sister Meg, me, Lauren S., Jillian, Jaclyn)

Claudio's (Greenport, Long Island) - So this one is cheating since it's not in Manhattan, but it was a quaint nautical restaurant with the best New England clam chowder I've ever had.  Matt liked it too.

Adjisai - Local sushi joint in Hell's Kitchen. One of Jill's summer fun birthdays :) 

A nameless Tapas place - The name escapes me but it was an awesome tapas place (any help with the name, Ty?) for Jill's birthday this year :)

Southern Hospitality, Hell's Kitchen - This one is more restaurant-y than the UES version, but downstairs was practically a nightclub! We went here in December 2011 for Ty's birthday. We got hit on by a table of Europeans.. it was a strange but fun dinner.

Hell's Kitchen Mexican - One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in, you guessed it, Hells Kitchen.  Short commute, good food, tasty margs.  What more could you ask for?!  My 27th birthday, Sept. 2011 pictured below.

Nameless Vegan spot, the Village - Jill what's the name?? I can't remember, but what I do remember is the vegan cheesesticks and the cupcake....mmmm.

Phewww! Well that was a long one folks.  What are your favorite eateries (in NYC or elsewhere)?  Goodnight!