RUSS AND DAUGHTERS (NEW YORK, NY)

Russ and Daughters
179 E Houston St
New York, NY 10002
www.russanddaughters.com
Tel: 212.475.4880 ext 1
Cuisine: Breakfast, Bagels
$ (under $15)
Sun, 09/02/2018, 10:00am walk-in
     (5 Piglets)

There's something to be said about New York bagels: it is simply the best in the world. Could it be from the water? Could it be because they've been dishing it out for years? Regardless, Russ and Daughters is iconic to get your bagel fix whilst in New York City. 

Established in 1914, Joel Russ and his three daughters set up their first brick and mortar spot in the Lower East Side. It is currently in its fourth generation with multiple locations throughout the city. 

Upon entering the original store front in the LES, the place was chaotic. People were everywhere and everyone wanted a taste of their bagels. In order to maintain some type of organization, you grab a number and wait til your number is called. You should know what you want at the time of order..but don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to figure that out. We ended up waiting about a half hour and considering the amount of people there, it wasn't too bad. 

The store doesn't just have bagels. They have an array of menu items that range from matzo ball soup to babkas to salads. Basically you can eat your heart out here and be satisfied. 

People at work...

Look at all the people

Different Fish

Making my bagel

My bagel

Everything bagel toasted with cream cheese and lox 

Overall, Russ and Daughters was everything I hoped for in a New York City bagel shop. I absolutely loved my bagel with cream cheese and lox. They piled on the lox and every bite was simply delicious. The bagel itself was super fresh, slightly chewy interior with a crisp exterior. It's worth a visit, even with the wait. It's a great way to get a good breakfast without making a huge dent in the wallet. 

LE BERNADIN (NEW YORK, NY)

Le Bernadin
155 W 51st Street
New York, NY 10019
www.le-bernadin.com
Tel: 212.554.1515
Cuisine: French
$$$$ ($50+)
Sat, 09/01/2018, 7:45pm reservation
     (4.5 Piglets)


Le Bernadin is Eric Ripert's 3 Michelin Star restaurant located in the Midtown district in the heart of the Big Apple. It has been on my list of restaurants to try for the longest time and thanks to my AMEX Platinum card, I managed to snag a reservation for my time in NYC. 

The restaurant itself is exquisite. The service was impeccable. The decor was sophisticated. And well, the food was a masterpiece. Eric Ripert managed to bring French food to the Americans at its utmost quality. We decided on the Chef's Tasting Menu for $225pp. 

Amuse Bouche

Amuse Bouche-the watermelon

CAVIAR TARTARE: Hamachi Osetra Caviar Tartare; Sea Lettuce; Dashi Gelee

LANGOUSTINE: Seared Langoustine; Foie Gras Crouton; Balsamic-Truffle Vinaigrette

SEA TROUT: Ultra Rare Smoked Sea Trout; Pickled Red Onion; Citrus-Miso Emulsion

HALIBUT: Poached Halibut; Radish Medley; Daikon-Ginger Dashi

DOVER SOLE: Sauteed Dover Sole; Lemon-Potato Mousseline; Shallot Emulsion

HAWAIIAN-WALU -JAPANESE WAGYU: Grilled Walu and Seared Wagyu; Tomato Summer Roll; Spiced Red Wine Sauce

YOGURT: Smoked Yogurt, Maple Macerated Blueberries, Graham Crackers

RHUBARB: Rhubarb Marmalade; Marscapone Cremaeaux; Limoncello Sorbet 

PETIT FOURS

Overall, Le Bernadin truly is a magical place. Everything from the bread and butter to the amuse bouche was made with precision. The food was simple yet elegant. The food was bursting with flavor yet you could taste each and every ingredient. I think that is what makes French cuisine truly special: it doesn't transform its ingredients to something weird like some molecular gastronomy restaurants do...it wants to make the ingredients shine. 

Notable Dishes: Langoustine and Japanese Wagyu