NYC: wd~50

I was lucky enough to spend several days in Manhattan and Williamsburg a few weekends ago. I spent my first night there at WD50 - owned by renowned chef Wylie Dufresne. Widely known as one of the best restaurants around, but it's unassuming and cozy in appearance. Our reservation was at 10:30 on a Thursday - it was all they had over a week in advance. We had a drink at the bar - J Rose and a "Kum all Ye" kumquat infused cocktail.

Our server was amazing - very funny, knowledgeable and even gave us several ideas of other places to visit to eat. We lingered and ordered appetizers, entrees and he allowed us a dessert of the tasting menu - which I regret not having in the first place....

SO the food.

Aerated foie, pickled beet, mashad plum, brioche

The lightest best texture for the flavor of fois gras EVER. Beets were amazing, plum was amazing - best bite ever as far as I am concerned. I could have eaten 3 times the amount. It was so rich and velvety and delicious.

Cold fried chicken, buttermilk-ricotta, Tabasco, caviar  

Such a refined take on traditional Southern fare. Not my favorite dish of the night, but inspired nonetheless.

Duck breast, apple, cheddar, kimchee-cous cous  

Melt in your mouth delicious comfort food - I love how every dish has something familiar but is so unique at the same time. The ideas from WD are like a kick in the pants to any aspiring chef - or diner - to go outside the box but always respect flavors that we know mesh.

Pork loin, smoked paprika spaetzle, peach, marcona almond  

I am so glad I ordered this. It was cooked perfectly and had just the right amount of each component for each bite. Good amount of fat in the pork but the flavor was perfect.

I apologize for the camera pics - they're from my iPhone as my regular camera was dead.

The food was impeccable, as was the service. I only wish I lived closer and had unending supplies of cash to visit time and time again.

More to come!