The signature dish, Truffle Custard with Chive Potato Chip/Photos by Donna Turner Ruhlman
I hadn’t planned this post but when my wife, Donna, started emailing these iPhone shots of the dishes she was served at per se yesterday at lunch I just had to put them up. First of all, Thomas Keller and his ace staff two years ago began offering dishes a la carte in their salon area, outside the dining room. It’s a fabulous way to taste what the per se chefs, led now by CDC Eli Kaimeh, are up to. (It’s no wonder that Sam Sifton, in his final column as restaurant critic for The New York Times, called it the best restaurant in New York City.) Chef Kaimeh did not work lunch yesterday; in his stead was Chef David Breeden. I once complimented Deborah Jones on her amazing photography in Under Pressure (she’s photographed all of Keller’s books). She said, “Don’t compliment me, compliment the chefs. They make my work easy.”
The meal, as always begins with the salmon cornets, salmon tartare in a tuile cone. Keller has been serving every diner these nifty little cones for nearly twenty years and they never get tired. They are always a pleasure. Gougeres followed, and then the main dishes.
These gougeres, cheese puffs, are now filled with mornay sauce.
Celeriac veloute with marcona almonds and sour cherries.
Osetra caviar with langostine tartare, meyer lemon emulsion and crispy rice
Agnolotti, little Basil ravioli with pea shoots and glazed sunchokes.
Now this is the way to serve lobster!
Butter poached lobster with bell peppers, artichokes and spicy lobster broth.
Brioche, foie, salt
Foie gras terrine with chocolate financier crust, black mission fig marmalade, cipollini onion shoots, little lettuces and a guiness chocolate sauce with brioche and two salts.
Two desserts: Floating island, almond tapioca, creme Anglaise, mandarin confit and black tea ice cream and, below, lime meringue compressed pineapple, hibiscus and coconut sorbets.
What’s amazing to me about this is that the salon was meant only as an elegant waiting area and a bulwark separating the dining area from people entering the restaurant, diners using the restroom, hostesses taking coats; but what Keller has done is turn it into its own kind of restaurant. The dishes are still fabulously expensive (and the photos here show why), but it’s a way to have a taste of what Chef Kaimeh and his staff are doing without having to spend many hundreds of dollars on a full tasting menu.
Donna and I just talked about it again. She said, “You know what was so wonderful about it? The service. It’s just so elegant and you feel so well taken care of.”
The food’s not bad either.
If you liked this post on Per Se, check out these other links:
- My post on the start of the Bouchon Bakery cookbook.
- 2011 list of the World’s 50 best restaurants, Per Se is number 10.
- Thomas Keller’s master chef series from the LA Times.
- London Foodie in New York is a food blog written by Anna Helm-Baxter.
© 2011 Michael Ruhlman. Photo © 2012 Donna Turner-Ruhlman. All rights reserved
Per Se is my favourite restaurant hands down. Must try it for lunch next time I’m in NY.
The best service I’ve ever had was at Per Se. I’ve been lucky to eat many extraordinary meals and it’s hard to compare them. But when the service is so thoughtful it raises the experience as a whole.
Very nice job, I wouldn’t have any idea those were from a phone. Insane food, I’m so hungry now.
He’s a genius and it’s kind of a bucket goal for me….
Are those gougeres resting on a spoon?! How do they get them so tiny?!
I just made my first recipe from the French Laundry cookbook and I was so proud of myself. I’ve only eaten at Bouchon, but all of his restaurants are on my bucket list.
Great Site and I like your color coded lists but I thought you might want to look at my lyuaot for the lists and maybe combine the ideas to a make a calendar to see the year at a glance. I would love to send you my file so you can use it.Thor’s Gal
I’ve been to Per Se several times, but never the salon – my husband and I were just talking about making a mid-winter visit there, and this post just convinced me to go.
Although, a question for you: the salon menu has not had any desserts listed on it for a short while now – is there a separate menu for that or did your wife get them on request?
holy crap! thomas keller is kinda an idol of mine. I can’t wait to finally eat at per se, though I’d prefer the french laundry as it’s more in my neck of the woods and one of my favorite places in the country. wonderful post and thanks for it.
Everything looks amazing and each dish looks almost like a work of art. When I was in New York last year on holiday I desperately wanted to visit Per Se, but I’d left it too late to book. A visit to Per Se is definitely on my must do list next time I am in New York.
Beautiful….. I’ll be heading to New York in May to celebrate my hmmm 60th birthday. I was planning on Le Bernardin which is delicious, but now I thinking I should branch out and explore some other options…hmmm
Awesome! its really look so delicious. I really like the style of it so creative. hope your havin fun always.
looking forward for the next post. Thanks!
Great Post!! Michael, or anyone else reading this, can you give us some advice on getting a booking at FL or Per Se? My wife and I are looking at visiting the U.S in September from Australia, and their booking time lead in makes planning that around the rest of our trip difficult to say the least. Any thoughts? I’m not holding my breath for an easy solution.
Thank you Donna, that butter poached lobster could not possibly taste as good as it looks!
“can you give us some advice on getting a booking at FL or Per Se?” You can get reservations online through their web page or opentable.com, 30 days before your planned meal. Plan on Calling or logging on first thing, they sell out in minutes. Well worth it though
This is not related to the current subject matter but love your book Charcuterie. Tried making some sausage that had to cure for two days in the fridge after grinding and mixing. Should one add water to make the sausage more pliable before stuffing? It was really difficult stuffing the casings with a vertical stuffer.
Next time I get photographed for my driver’s license, I’m bringing Donna – money is no object!
Been eating out in Mannattan for 25 years. Did not like Per Se one bit and neither did my dining buddies. Just across the street Nougatine (attached to Jean George) kills it. So does Blue Ribbon across the street to the South. Well the list will go on and on. I didn’t like the Per Se room either. That awful, formal, hotel feeling.
My parents lived in Manhattan from 2000-2009, and frequently went to Per Se, amoug other super fine restaurants. They were friends with the Roux family, Albert and Michelle.
My parents own a property in Lake Conroe Texas called La Torretta which my Dad and Albert collaborated on CHEZ ROUX. THe food is imaculate. Wine is heart pounding. Head of House Garrett Donovon makes sure of that.
I had the privilage a few years ago to eat at the CHef’s table. And it was magic. They even sent us off with a lovely bottle of their best bubbly to enjoy on our balcony with a sweeping view of the infinity pool. Just beautiful.
So to recap what made this place special? The staff tending to all 6 other restaurants on property. The staff taking care of the world class Spa and wellness center. The staff at the kids hut entertaining the owners kids. The pool side bartender who poured us our morning cocktails the night after my Dad passed away. Whether is a special restaurant, a hotel or resort. Or even a hospital. People rise to give comfort where it’s needed most. THat’s the point of hospitality.
Work of Art. What else can be said about those dishes. It’s amazing, the more sites I explore, the more I am amazed by the artistry in food.
Good post right here. One thing I would like to say is that often most professional areas consider the Bachelors Degree like thejust like the entry level standard for an online degree. While Associate Certifications are a great way to begin, completing your own Bachelors presents you with many opportunities to various jobs, there are numerous on-line Bachelor Course Programs available from institutions like The University of Phoenix, Intercontinental University Online and Kaplan. Another thing is that many brick and mortar institutions provide Online variants of their certifications but usually for a extensively higher price than the institutions that specialize in online college diploma plans.
I’ve said that least 1157220 times. SCK was here
From the United states of america, the corporation has emerged being an association of owners, known as stockholders, who kind a company business ruled by a fancy set of guidelines and customs. Brought on because of the means of mass production, organizations, like Normal Electric, are instrumental in shaping the usa. Through the inventory sector, American finance institutions and investors have developed their financial system by investing and withdrawing funds from rewarding businesses. Nowadays while in the period of globalization, American buyers and organizations have influence all over the planet. The American government is in addition bundled one of the big buyers from the American financial state. Federal government investments are actually directed towards community will work of scale (including from your Hoover Dam), military-industrial contracts, and the economic marketplace.
But a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style and design .
Hi, I just found your weblog via google. Your article is truly applicable to my life at this moment, and I’m really happy I found your website.
Unquestionably believe what we said. Your preferred justification looked like there was on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I surely get frustrated while people take into consideration worries they just don’t know about. You were able to hit the actual nail upon the superior and also defined out everything without having unwanted effect, people usually takes a transmission. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
This is awesome write-up to pick up a domain name. Anyway, for me pick up a domain name is just not quick, I even used helped of a world wide web web page like namestation[dot]com to pick up one for me at the firt time. Domain name with a superior keyword does truly help to acquire indexed extremely well by search engine. It is suitable especial for E-business market,
In these days you are able to obtain good homepage if you desire to find out how to clean suede inside your home, we have got a few lessons which could coach you what precisely you need to be ready to expertly clean up your individual suede come check out http://howto-cleansuede.info
Hi, I just ran across your website via Bing. Your viewpoint is truly pertinent to my life currently, and I’m really happy I discovered your website.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you’re but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger in case you aren’t already Cheers!… Heya i’m for the very first time here. I located this board and I discover It truly helpful & it helped me out a great deal. I hope to give something back and aid other people like you aided me….
This gets more subjective, but I much choose the Zune Industry. The user interface is vibrant, has more flair, and a few cool characteristics like Mixview’ that enable you to quickly observe related cds, songs, or additional users linked to what you’re listening to. Clicking on one of those will concentrate on that object, and another set of neighbors should come into see, allowing that you navigate close to exploring simply by similar designers, songs, or people. Speaking regarding users, the Zune Social is usually great entertaining, letting you will find others with shared preferences and turning out to be friends with them. You and then can pay attention to a playlist created depending on an amalgamation of what all of your friends are playing, which is usually enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will probably be relieved to find out you can stop the public coming from seeing your own listening habits should you so choose.
What’s Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I am hoping to contribute & assist other customers like its aided me. Great job.
Sweet, thx!
The following time My partner and i learn a weblog, I hope which it doesnt let down me because considerably while this 1. I necessarily mean, I know it turned out my choice you just read, nevertheless I seriously thought youd get something fascinating to say. All I hear is actually a bunch regarding whining regarding thing that you might possibly fix for individuals who werent also busy on the lookout for attention.
An grasping communicating is actually couturier observe. I judge that you ought to correspond solon about this message, it strength not certainly be a inhibition personal but normally grouping are certainly not sufficiency for you to utter about specified subjects. To the actual succeeding. Cheers like your Khmer Karaoke Superstars .
You lost me, buddy. I mean, I suppose I get what youre saying. I get where youre coming from. But you just seem to have forgotten that there are people out there who can see this issue for what it really is and may not agree with you. You seem to alienate a whole bunch of people who might have been fans of your blog.
actually fantastic factors right here, just thanks
Thanks
Hey We simply enjoy your nice editorial many thanks and please follow it
You have brought up a very good details , thanks for the post. “There’s two heads to every coin.” by Jerry Coleman.
2EMxom this is what i needed man
Hey, I found this touching story about a man who rebuilt his broken relationship with his son… A must read for any parent! Click on my name and take a look!
Very interesting info! Perfect precisely what I was seeking! It is actually our choices… that show might know about truly are usually, far more than our capabilities. by M. K. Rowling.
I believe this is one of the such a lot important information for me. And i’m happy studying your article. But should observation on few common things, The web site taste is wonderful, the articles is really nice : D. Excellent task, cheers
Hey, very nice blog! Beautiful and also Amazing. I may bookmark your website and consider the bottles also
I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were very helpful extremely helpful
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!
Hello our family simply adore your splendid editorial thanx and also pls carry on it
Nice information, many thanks to the author. It is incomprehensible to me now, but in general, the usefulness and significance is overwhelming. Thanks again and good luck!
Wohh exactly what I was looking for, thankyou for posting .
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile Thus let me rephrase that: Thanks for lunch! “No one can wear a mask for very long.” by Seneca.
My idea of a blog post definitely, good work on the fantastic piece you did on breaking the topic down into solid data.
you are truly a just right webmaster. The website loading velocity is amazing. It sort of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a fantastic task in this subject!
My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I’m not super familiar with that area , but it looks to me like the clseost location listed on the chart is Farmington, with a date of May 1. If you tend to have similar weather to Farmington, I would use that date. You’re right on the edge of the two groups. If it is a mild winter/spring and you are excited, I would follow the yellow schedule. If it is a cold winter-spring and you are more relaxed, I would use the green schedule.
Hi Generally there! our family members loves your own gorgeous internet site thanks along with pls don’t stop!
Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
Really outstanding info can be found on website.
Looking for wedded hunting single web-site, you’ve get to where. go here and then sign up for completely free.
Woah! I’m genuinely loving the actual template/theme with this blog. It’s basic, yet powerful. A large amount of times it is quite hard to get that perfect balance among usability and also appearance. I should say you might have done a awesome job using this type of. In inclusion, the web site loads very intense for me on Stainless. Excellent Web site!
J1A1vw nysiyvtaccxd
How can I transfer firefox settings from one computer to another?
Keep up the superb piece of work, I read few content on this site and I conceive that your weblog is very interesting and contains lots of great information.
Excellent Submit, but it has nothing regarding SEO.
naturally like your site however you will need to test the actual spelling on a few of your blogposts. Several of these are rife using spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to see the actuality however I’ll surely revisit again.
I honestly cannot think this case like this kind of. I find myself you have a reason for this. Thrilled to offer the capacity to play a part. Wish anyone luck.
I have learned result-oriented things as a result of your blog. One other thing I would like to say is the fact that newer personal computer os’s usually allow additional memory to be played with, but they likewise demand more memory space simply to function. If your computer can not handle extra memory as well as newest software package requires that memory space increase, it can be the time to shop for a new Personal computer. Thanks
Thisis a seriously cool web site that I found online.
Hi there, I found your web site by way of Google even as searching for a comparable topic, your web site came up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
I just want to say I am new to blogging and seriously liked you’re web-site. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You really come with incredible article content. Cheers for revealing your web-site.
GApfCn , [url=http://myzwhefwxcqp.com/]myzwhefwxcqp[/url], [link=http://glpbrlyzjwia.com/]glpbrlyzjwia[/link], http://hpcuylybocgg.com/
yC0VGK , [url=http://afrlmeweqrno.com/]afrlmeweqrno[/url], [link=http://fcixoykgxipq.com/]fcixoykgxipq[/link], http://kblhnlnowbyo.com/
XfgB0Q , [url=http://gapyqtmvfzum.com/]gapyqtmvfzum[/url], [link=http://ivqbtctetkkg.com/]ivqbtctetkkg[/link], http://avzewhjkfpnd.com/
Lulz.
cltkgL , [url=http://xjjgemuuhiqk.com/]xjjgemuuhiqk[/url], [link=http://aecmesytwvst.com/]aecmesytwvst[/link], http://tcywjyaceuez.com/
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn something like this before. So good to search out any person with some distinctive thoughts on this subject. realy thank you for starting this up. this internet website is 1 thing that’s required on the net, someone with a bit of originality. useful job for bringing something new towards the internet!
I needed to compose you a little observation just to say thank you again considering the extraordinary opinions you’ve contributed in this case. It was so pretty generous with you to make openly all that a lot of people could possibly have marketed as an e book to get some money for themselves, most notably considering that you could have done it in the event you decided. Those strategies likewise served to become a fantastic way to comprehend other individuals have similar passion really like my own to know the truth way more pertaining to this issue. I think there are several more enjoyable instances up front for individuals who check out your blog.
Ub0DK0 , [url=http://aijjhhocjspp.com/]aijjhhocjspp[/url], [link=http://wddxvkbwpeze.com/]wddxvkbwpeze[/link], http://xkkeisuqlnat.com/
qZvAHv , [url=http://zhmwyylwmrri.com/]zhmwyylwmrri[/url], [link=http://uhzddjjbitfu.com/]uhzddjjbitfu[/link], http://lkfrtcmyzlcp.com/
miOsI3 , [url=http://eretrdruvrdl.com/]eretrdruvrdl[/url], [link=http://wdpsliaepiwf.com/]wdpsliaepiwf[/link], http://ikgxsnruckcp.com/
Lsvs5A , [url=http://wmmmdexdszlv.com/]wmmmdexdszlv[/url], [link=http://iglytqewkozh.com/]iglytqewkozh[/link], http://bdjwmimkghhk.com/
I believe this internet site has got some real wonderful info for everyone : D.
Thanks after the writeup. I assuredly approve with what you are saying. I influence been talking with this event a lot lately with my mam so it is hoped this temper enhance him to foretell my show off of view.
8KQcOk , [url=http://ygkwtysybkgi.com/]ygkwtysybkgi[/url], [link=http://hrrnfktsktaf.com/]hrrnfktsktaf[/link], http://kenorxugxqxf.com/
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait ..