Daniel – A Simply Sublime Dining Experience

If anyone here is expecting some DSLR food porn, I’m sorry. The ambiance of this place makes it impossible even for the most shameless of food photographers (me) to take out the camera. You’re going to have to take my word for it.

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Chef Boulud has been on a roll this year, obtaining the much coveted 3rd Michelin Star at his flagship restaurant, moving up a whopping 33 places to number 9 on the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. In May, he won Restaurant of the Year at the James Beard Awards. If there ever was a grand slam in the culinary world, you’re looking at it.

We had the honor of interviewing Chef Boulud late last year, and the man is a total class act. Not only did he endorse my mother’s Eat Big Apple Restaurant Guide (published in Chinese), he also allowed us to tour his kitchen and office. To thank him for all the effort, we purchased a few gift cards that evening, promising to return on a later date, properly dressed for a Daniel dinner.

A few months later, here I was. The room looked the same as when I last came, but I could feel the energy of its recent James Beard Award. It felt like a celebrity was in the room, everyone knows, but nobody wants to make a scene and acknowledge it.

Daniel’s layout is like a classical garden, or that of a converted dance floor. The central area slightly lower then the rim. We were seated in the outer rim of the restaurant, facing towards the center. Regardless of where you sit, this is not about your view (there’s none, except for wealthy looking people), it’s about soaking up the dining experience of Daniel.

As soon as we were seated, complimentary champagne was offered to “ease our minds off the traffic on the way”. Service was impeccable. Here are some of the lines we heard through the evening.

• “Pardon me but as I was approaching, I noticed that the lady has left the table. When she returns I will come by again to also offer some champagne.”
• “Pardon my reach sir” – as his hand entered my field of vision to put down a fork.
• “I have informed the sommelier that you shall be making a selection, he will be with you shortly”

The 2nd most memorable “event” of the evening, is the sommelier. After making a selection with his knowledgeable advise, he returned with a hand cart carrying a bottle, a decanter, a glass, and a candle. The following 5 minutes was so full of passion and artistry, you must go experience it yourself. This is a meal when you don’t skimp on wine. Order a bottle, and witness the romance between wine and artist.

The food. Was it good? Very. However is it brilliant to the point where I will be able to recite every bite months after? not quite. My appetizer of scallops was phenomenal, but the main course of bone-marrow crusted fish didn’t taste quite right. Desserts were solid, but again, no lasting impression on my mind and taste-buds.

With that said, this is still a Must Go for anyone with the means. There are so many choices on the menu, covering so many diverse ingredients that lets me believe there’s much more magic to be discovered. On top of that, the service and atmosphere makes this one of the most enjoyable dining location in NYC. You will be talking about it to your friends, your colleagues, your family. I rate it a tiny notch below Jean Georges, but still in the realm of perfection. (which doesn’t make much sense, but I struggled much over this decision)

I shall go again, and so should everyone who reads this. Remember, order a bottle of red.

CS

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Daniel (Make a Reservation)
60 East 65th Street, New York
(212) 288-0033