A great tasting menu format suits me: 3 courses, amuses in between, multiple wine pairings... and the chance to try something unexpected. In this case, it was New Zealand Venison - with Nebula Carrot, Bacon & Cranberry Bean Cocotte - as anchor for another fabulous meal at @701west! . . Other highlights: . - Broiled Live Sea Scallop, Carolina Shrimp, Charred Fennel Butter . - Roasted Pecan Crémeux, Opalys Chocolate Ganache, Mandarin Sorbet . . @chefjfraser now operates a bunch of restaurants in NYC - including @theloyal and @nixny - and he has more coming. Lucky us! . . . . . . #venison #newzealandeats #finedining #finedininglovers #tastingmenu #michelinstars #michelinstarchef #filetmignon #meateater #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #鹿肉 #eaternyc #bonappetit #saveur #diningnyc #eeeeeats #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #newforkcity (at 701West) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Jo_2IlgZv/?igshid=fpcdyn6d8is9

Peruvian chicken & rice is special: crispy, juicy thighs, served with rice cooked in a rich green broth... and now @chefpjcalapa is serving his great version at his Pan-Latin restaurant in midtown. . . @paloma.nyc also has good tacos & ceviche, lots of other Central & South American dishes, plus a full cocktail menu & lively music. Fun! . . . . . . . . . #friedchicken #chickenandrice #chickenthighs #arrozconpollo #peruvianfood #polloalhorno #comidaperuana #comidalatina #latinfood #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #diningnyc #eeeeeatsnyc #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #newforkcity (at Paloma Restaurant NYC) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8G_-3pFQa9/?igshid=1kya7xhscsgvx

Spicy breakfast sausage, gigante beans, kale & a fried egg: more hearty brunching at @romansnyc. . . This great Fort Greene spot has managed to serve what I want at the moment for a decade now. That’s an amazing accomplishment. We all need to cherish these classics. . . . . . . . #friedegg #breakfastsausage #sausageandeggs #nycbrunch #brunches #brunching #brooklynbrunch #prospectheights #sundriedtomatoes #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #brooklynfood #brooklyneats #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #eggsnthings #diningnyc #eeeeeats #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #foodnation #newforkcity #zagat #topnycrestaurants (at Romans) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Eg9ujlxZq/?igshid=3tlygpupd2d8

Scallop, truffle, mushroom, roe in broth: a fabulous special at the delightful @aifiori. . . From the regular menu, more deliciousness: . . Gnocchi di Zucca- kabocha squash gnocchi, brown butter sage, pumpkin seeds, apple balsamic . . Spallina - short rib & boschetto cheese ravioli, black truffle, beef jus . . Crudo e Caviale - fluke crudo, american sturgeon caviar, crème fraîche, meyer lemon . . This is an elegant room, a short walk from the Empire State Building. I’m a fan. Thanks @007louiseob! . . . . . . . . #scallops #truffles #truffleseason #blacktruffle #roe #italiancuisine #帆立貝 #seafood #eater #forkyeah #fravorites #foodbeast #buzzfeast #hypefeast #foodnation #huffposttaste #grubstreet #tastethisnext #topcitybites #eattheworld (at Ai Fiori) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8B2DGalcby/?igshid=tgauv3jepaul

@ciaoglorianyc is lots of lovingly elevated versions of classic pastries, plus terrific coffee in a charming room, run by one of NYC’s most gracious hosts. If I lived in Prospect Heights, I’d be in every day. . . . . . #lemonmeringue #oatmealcookies #mascarpone #mascarponecream #lemontart #cookies🍪 #prospectheights #brooklynfood #brooklynfoodie #brooklyneats #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #instafoods #diningnyc #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #foodnation #newforkcity #feastagram (at Ciao, Gloria) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7_R7xUFa1Z/?igshid=b3kzett82o7p

Brunch can be elegant too! @laloubrooklyn brings the same care to its frittata that it does to its lovely dinners. The tomatoes are dried and then soaked; the herbs are carefully sprinkled. . . The potato rosti is just as good, with Creme fraiche & trout roe. Plus they have great salads and a perfect spritz... and the cleverly minimalist design of the place looks great in the daylight. We’re big fans! . . . . . . . . #frittata #omelettes #nycbrunch #brunches #brunching #brooklynbrunch #prospectheights #sundriedtomatoes #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #brooklynfood #brooklyneats #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #eggsnthings #diningnyc #eeeeeats #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #foodnation #newforkcity #zagat #topnycrestaurants (at LaLou) https://www.instagram.com/p/B785MWUlBXf/?igshid=219fn98n14ew

I love Korean bbq - but I’ve only been getting it half right. All those amazing meats at @yoon_nyc_1964 are even better paired with Korea’s finest craft spirits. Fortunately, my amazing friend @kimsomm_ms is now importing them! . . Soju + maekju = somaek! . . . . . . #koreanbbq #grilling #bbqlife #steakdinner #ktown #galbi #갈비 #steaknight #soju #craftspirits #koreancuisine #koreandrinks #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #foodnation #newforkcity #zagat #feastagram #topnycrestaurants (at Yoon Haeundae Galbi) https://www.instagram.com/p/B76KljdFHBj/?igshid=16ng7sfjz3q6w

@themorganlibrary was always a special place - and now they have casual food by @tomcolicchio to justify staying for lunch. His TC Wagyu Burger - with balsamic onions, truffled pecorino, B&B pickles & fried fingerlings - is just right. . . We also really liked the Arugula-Hanger Steak Salad, the Sautéed salmon over Heirloom Grains, an apple tart... The cafe - in the museum’s atrium - has a full menu of American classics, with lots of veggies, and a solid coffee program. So visit the wonderful library, see an exhibit... and stay for lunch! . . . . . . . . . #cheeseburger #sauteedonions #cheeseburgers #pickles #pecorino #morganlibrary (at Morgan Dining Room & Morgan Cafe) https://www.instagram.com/p/B73k2GElUSA/?igshid=hamybuhnpnsx

Duck & roasted veggies. A cod & seafood stew. A huge pork shank. Roasted fennel salad. All sorts of pastas. @portalerestaurant is American-Italian, Greenmarket-centric, elegant comfort food. . . This new spot - in the Rouge Tomate space in Chelsea - has a strong cocktail program and a dazzling wine list. . . I’m extra pleased by this because @chefalfredportale defined cool downtown food at Gotham, won lots of stars - and probably fed me more delicious meals over the years than any chef in NYC (my first great boss lived around the corner). He came here with much of his Gotham crew and fan base, his own art collection and a fresh vibe. It works. . . In an inronic flashback twist, we enjoyed some of this deliciousness seated next to @jaymcinerney. He may now be best known as a wine writer, but in 1984, the year Gotham opened, he published Bright Lights Big City. Times change... . . . . . . . . #duckbreast #eatlocal #greenmarket #finedininglovers #finedining #michelinstar #italianamerican #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #instafoods #diningnyc #eeeeeats #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #foodnation #newforkcity #zagat #feastagram #topnycrestaurants (at Portale Restaurant) https://www.instagram.com/p/B71McMKlCM5/?igshid=9igo4nftxs4f

I eat plenty of burgers in restaurants - but one of my favorites is the Yoshoku version we make at home. The Hambāgu (ハンバーグ) is a Japanese creation with a meatloaf-like composition, of ground meat & onion & breadcrumbs. . . We like @butcher_box ground beef - grass fed, 15% fat - and add soy pulp (keeps it moist). Our @lodgecastiron skillet cooks it quickly. We sauce with a red wine pan deglaze, plus ketchup and a dash of heat. . . We served this batch with broccoli rabe, ribbon carrots & baked potatoes (in Japan, you’d likely see rice). . . . . . #ハンバーグ #洋食 #hambagu #groundbeef #ハンバーグステーキ #洋食屋さん #homecooked #homecooking #grassfedbeef #grassfed #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #japanesecuisine #diningnyc #eeeeeats #forkyeah #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #foodnation #newforkcity (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7zq4oLFHjb/?igshid=f134ytn47io3

We don’t eat much TRI-TIP in NYC... but we should. It’s lower fat & meaty, a triangular cut from the bottom sirloin. @holeinthewall serves it with steak fries & broccolini. . . They also serve a great lamb ragu, lots of salads and a crunchy, yummy tiramisu... plus cocktails. It’s a cute place with a mostly Australian team. . . . . . . . . #tritip #sirloinsteak #steakdinner #Steaksauce #broccolini #BeautifulCuisines #eater #eatmunchies #yahoofood #feedfeed #nyceeeeeats #eaterny #foodpornography #NewForkCity #FoodBeast #forkyeah #eatfamous #tastingtable #ForkFeed #timeoutnewyork #eatmunchies #fwx #saveurmag #EatingNewYork #foodaddict #vscofood #foodspotting #foods (at Hole in the Wall Cafe & Cocktail Bar) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7yckJtFyar/?igshid=jvaof7tb1awr

CHINESE BAGEL PARTY? Yes! It’s Lunar New Year! We’re celebrating at the ever-fab @littletongnyc, where a quintessential NYC collaboration is on for the occasion: an everything flagel from @shelsky_s joins @sisitongtong’s Lamb Shoulder Paomo! . . Rip it & dip it into rich lamb bone broth; pile on the braised lamb shoulder, house pickles, charred scallion & cumin crème fraîche. Yum!!!! . . . . . . . . . #chinesenewyear #lunarnewyear #CNY #LNY #springfestival #eastvillage #eastvillageeats #happynewyear #gongxifacai #nyceats #nycrestaurants #chineserestaurants #nye #foodporn #bonebroth #foodstagram #foodie #chinesefood #everythingbagel #eater #eaterny (at Little Tong Noodle Shop) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7vzaJdlay_/?igshid=1vxocpv0om2pc

I love smoked salmon and avocado toast... so this combo is a natural... and it’s done well. . . There’s plenty more to enjoy on the @assetrestaurant brunch menu, including a grain bowl and good coffee. If you’re brunching upper west, this is a strong choice. . . . . . . #smokedsalmon #avocadotoast #brunchnyc #brunches #brunching #nycbrunch #upperwestside (at ASSET) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7tRPxrFq81/?igshid=15b3d02xcavm0

I love smoked salmon and I love avocado toast... so this is a natural... and it’s done just right at @assetrestaurant. . . There’s a full brunch menu, with cocktails and good coffee. If you’re upper west, this is a strong choice. . . . . . . . #smokedsalmon #salmontoast #acocadotoast #nycbrunch #brunchnyc #brunches #brunching (at ASSET) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7rMUVEl_TE/?igshid=l7siiqpmeekd

Perfect PORK BELLY is even better with fresh GUACAMOLE... and magic next to one of the best molés I’ve tasted. . . Seriously, it’s not the most photogenic dish, but this chicken molé is magically delicious. As expected, there are 24 ingredients in this secret Poblano family recipe, and no one is telling... . . Chef Jose Luis Flores is cooking some wonderful food in a cute space in Williamsburg. Yum! . . . . . . . #guacamole #guac #porkbelly #mexicancuisine #molepoblano #comidamexicana #brooklynfood #brooklyneats #williamsburgbrooklyn #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #diningnyc #eeeeeats #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #foodnation #newforkcity #zagat #topnycrestaurants (at De Mole Brooklyn) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7qq6qYF9Jd/?igshid=1fghs5futkv4o

The best DUCK I’ve had in a long time is at @jua.nyc - a wonderful new spot about to open on 22nd St. It’s dry-aged for two weeks, then smoked over cherry wood, then slow-roasted for an hour on a wood grill. Served simply, with persimmon, it’s wonderfully smoky, deeply flavorful but tender... . . It’s also just one course in Chef @chef_kim1’s dazzling tasting menu. Other courses, all delightful: - Mackerel, Salt-cured then cold-smoked for 1 hour; served with Chives, myoga, olive oil, seaweed powder, sesame seed, bronze fennel, yuja vinaigrette . - Squid, Thin-sliced then slightly cooked over oak embers; served with Turnip, Sea squirt oil & chickweed . - jjajangmyeon, the classic Korean-style Chinese noodle dish in black bean sauce. . - fabulous multi-level dessert by the amazing @eunji.leeee (Chef Kim was Exec Chef at @jungsik_inc) . . Jua is another project with @handhospitality - a leading force in this fabulous Korean restaurant boom we are having in NYC. Like other Hand places, it’s a modern room, with an open kitchen. The grill is worth a look. . . This place is very special - and part of a spectacular wave of Korean flavors in NYC. . . . . . . #duckbreast #smokedduck #tastingmenu #koreancuisine #finedininglovers #michelinstar #michelinstars #asianfood #koreanfood #오리 #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #nyceats #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #instafoods #diningnyc #eeeeeats #eatingfortheinsta #forkyeah #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #newforkcity (at JUA) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7oG4nqlcAd/?igshid=hgrmc8po5udz

Gildas con atun (anchovies, tuna, peppers) is a perfect bar snack: savory, acidic, convenient... delicious. Like everything I’ve eaten on the big, changing menu of small plates at @ernestosnyc, it feels inspired by Basque classics & executed with a sense of fun. Maybe that’s why I like the place so much: like Chef @dibartolo’s food, the room feels lively & active, like people are enjoying themselves... . . Of course the fab drinks by my darling friend @littlepinagirl don’t hurt. She does more with vermouth... . . . . . . . . . #gildas #anchovies #tapas #pintxos #basquefood #spanishcuisine #smallplates #barbites #finedininglovers #vermut #nycfood #nycfoodie #eatingnyc #devourpower #dailyfood #cheatmeals #foodlovers #feedyoursoull #f52grams #goodeats #diningnyc #vscofood #yougottaeatthis #spoonfeed #bestfoodworld #foodnation #newforkcity #zagat #feastagram #topnycrestaurants (at Ernesto's) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7lhvPCFsA2/?igshid=14ij7ev0yu4s9