Degustation (dē’gŭ-stā’shən)
noun.

1. The act or function of tasting.
2. The sense of taste.

Make sure you know where you’re going before you reserve your spot at the limited chef’s table at Degustation. The small restaurant is nestled next to Jewel Bako in downtown Manhattan. Space in the restaurant is minimal—which you can consider intimate or suffocating–regardless, don’t let that keep you away.

Their tasting menu, five plates of blissfully arranged tapas, may be a little pricey at $50, but as is often the case, no pain no gain. The mushroom salad, tied together with a pouched egg is enough to win over any carnivore, as is the Berkshire pork belly sandwiched between grilled octopus pieces.

The Wagyu Cheese Steak wasn’t exactly the most delicate use of such tender beef, but the presentation and flavor was still fairly unique.

The meal finished off with Caramalized Torija, simple yet unbelievably delicious—flavorful enough to be memorable, small enough to be relatively guilt free. The waitress even told us how it’s made, but that’s for you to find out

Degustation is a great place to bring your friends or maybe a first date if you’re not a fan of the eye-lock-soul-search. The rectangular table and confined chefs are enough distraction if you let them be, but can easily be ignored if you have a conversation going. Don’t forget to reserve however, or you’ll be forced to sit awkwardly in the narrow hallway that leads into the restaurant.

Jessie

Price: $40+ per person, $65 for tasting menu.

239 E. 5th St., New York, NY 10003
Near Second Ave. (Look for the door below, not too easy to spot)
212-979-1012

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January 9th, 2009 | Tags: 3 Apples, chef's table, degustation, Degustation Review, Tapas, tasting menu | Category: Spanish, Tapas | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL