You’ve heard me talk enough times about Restaurant Week and how not-worth-it I find most restaurants’ RW menus. But it seems time and time again, RW rolls around and I find myself in more restaurants than I can even count. I guess it’s peer pressure; or it’s just the right incentive to have people call me to hang out and have a meal. Whichever it is… I found myself at The Modern Bar Room with a friend the other night.
My friend and I both opted to start with the Arctic Char Tartare with Basil & Trout Caviar. I found this dish to be yummy, though the basil was less present than I’d have liked- mostly in the bottom portion. The ocean saltiness of the roe complemented the buttery flesh of the Arctic char very nicely.
Beer braised pork belly with cabbage and ginger jus was our next dish; the jicama on top was crunchy sweet and delicious. Jicama’s similarity to apple was a good play by the chef instead of the usual pork & apple pairing. The pork belly itself was tender, succulent, and fatty enough that I had to smile. I didn’t like how sticky/chewy the skin is, but I haven’t yet had braised pork belly with crispy crispy skin, so it’s not a real complaint. Underneath, the bed of cabbage happily did not reek of ginger (of which I’m not a fan) and was cooked perfectly, not mushy.
My dining companion’s cherry clafouti. I heard no complaints.
My chocolate tart was absolutely delightful. There was a cake base to the ball of ice cream that made it decadent but not overly sweet, and the praline bit with the chocolate tart itself was nutty and crunchy and wonderful.
Yvo says: Although I’m not sure if it was worth the $45/person we paid, I would definitely go back to sample more goodies. I would love to sit in the the dining room near the windows… and enjoy the impeccable, polite service once more. Hell yea, go here if you don’t cringe at the thought of $400-500/two people dinners.
strongly recommended
Sarah says
For our anniversary last Friday, Brian and I spent all day at the MOMA–I hadn’t been since before their big renovation several years ago. Before leaving, we had a drink at the bar at The Modern. Great place–would like to go back and try the food. As a side note, the food at the MOMA seems good all around–no industrial cafeterias with grey burgers and Jello cups. We had lunch at the cafe on the 5th floor–nice menu of salads and light stuff. The other cafe is supposed to be a Roman trattoria or something–definitely will try that next time.