#17 Eat at a 3 star Michelin restaurant

I don't recall how many times I've told you that I love food.  L O V E love.

But what really makes me happy?  Phenomenal culinary experiences.  Sometimes I'm able to pat myself on the back when I create an incredible culinary experience (like a great lamb chop, crab cake benedict, or a chocolate cake), but I readily admit that I lack the training and culinary expertise to create mind-blowing concoctions with scientific techniques. 

And since I ate at STELLA! in New Orleans last April (which is not Michelin rated because Michelin does not rate restaurants in New Orleans, but it seriously should be), I really wanted to #17 eat at a 3 star Michelin-rated restaurant to see what all the hype was about.

There are seven restaurants in New York that are three-star Michelin rated.  Out of all of them, I chose Per Se.

And apparently, everyone else in New York chose the same restaurant, because it was impossible to get reservations.  I even called my credit card Concierge, and the most they could do was get me on the waitlist... which didn't pan out, as NO ONE cancels (plus you're subject to $175 fee per head if you do cancel!!!).

Fear not, gentle friends - even though I was unable to get a reservation, my friend Jon and I decided to show up right as Per Se opened and see if we could eat at the bar.  Turns out that the bar is actually a "salon" that resembles a really nice UES (Upper East Side) living room... and serves an a la carte menu that you can pick and choose from.  So we created our own tasting menu, and stuffed ourselves silly.

So here is my extremely indulgent, decadent and expensive experience:

I started out with a glass of champagne.  Why not, right?

 A poorly lit photo of the salon, and the view from my little couch:

After surprising the waiter by ordering one of everything (with the exception of the $125 caviar course), our service started with two amuse bouches: A ball of gruyere, and salmon tartare in a mini ice cream cone with a yogurt and citrus sauce... both were delicious bites.  The salmon had so many different layers of flavor that danced on the tongue:

While not on the salon menu, we begged to try the "Oyster and Pearls" dish.  One thing to note about Per Se: the menu changes daily, but there is one dish that always appears.  The Oyster and Pearl. The chef graciously agreed, and we were treated to this amazingly indulgent, buttery dish, which was so delightfully yum!  The oysters were meaty, the caviar was salty, the butter sauce was rich, and the tapioca on the bottom brought the texture of the caviar and the sweetness of the oysters and butter together.  Outstanding.

From the menu: "Oysters and Pearls": A "Sabayon" of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and Sterling White Sturgeon Caviar

Next up was the "salad" course, which was a gorgeous piece of art work...light, refreshing with celery, beets and granny smith apple...

From the menu: Hawaiian Hearts of Peach Palm "Bavarois" with Granny Smith Apples, Sunflower Seed "Nougatine", Heirloom Sorrel, Celery Branch "Ribbons" and Smoked Greek Yogurt

The next course could have been the end of the meal for me... it was so indulgent, rich, creamy, savory, extraordinary... duck foie gras.  AND it was a huge portion.  The foie gras plus the balsamic was such an interesting rich/smooth plus tart combination.  Then I spread the foie gras on a buttered brioche and that was mind blowing.  Seriously, I closed my eyes to focus on the perfectly-matched flavors:

From the menu: "Terrine" of Hudson Valley Moulard Duck Foie Gras; Hasley Orchard's Medjool Dates, Green Almonds, Hakurei Turnips, Watercress and Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Right after we ordered, the sommelier assisted us with wines to go with the food... in addition to the champagne we started off with, we had a light white, a sweet white, a fruity red (Melville Santa Rita Pinot Noir, which was OUTSTANDING), and ended with a dry red:

After the foie gras, I admit I was starting to feel full... but next up was the "Sauteed Fillet of Florida Red Snapper", which was a perfectly cooked piece of fish with a razor thin potato crisp and some fabulous fava beans... it was a really good dish, but I confess I was slightly disappointed as it was missing that "wow" factor that I was expecting in each and every dish...

From the menu: "Pomme Maxim's, Fava Beans, Ramp Bulb "Tempura" and "Beurre Blanc au Vin Jaune"

At this point, Jon and I assumed we only had one or two more courses left.  But the courses kept coming, as we had forgotten about a few of the items we had ordered.  Seriously.  This is how much food we ordered...

But I'm so glad we ordered this little slice of heaven: Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster.

The lobster was perfectly cooked, the artichokes were super crunchy, and the sweet carrot puree?  It was HEAVENLY.  It tasted sweet, but also hearty, similar to a romesco sauce... sooo freaking amazing...

From the menu: Butter Poached Nova Scotia Lobster, Cocktail artichokes, sweet carrot puree, castelvetrano olives, herb salad and "salsa verde"

Up next?  The pasta course!  Smoked Salvatore Brooklyn Ricotta "Agnolotti", which we also forgot we had ordered, but also were equally happy we had... divine.  Perfectly cooked pasta, incredible sauce...

From the menu: Smoked Salvatore Brooklyn Ricotta "Agnolotti" with Globe Artichokes, Sweet Peppers, Green Garlic and Wilted Arrowleaf Spinach

Next up on the We-ordered-so-much-we-forgot-what-was-next was the pork dish... a lovely "Four Story Hill Farm's Pork "Piccata", which reminded me a ground pork mini meatloaf, but so well done, an so finely ground... but to be honest?  One of my least favorite dishes of the meal... even though it was well cooked and tasty, it also lacked that "WOW" factor... maybe I'm just too picky??

From the menu: Four Story Hill Farm's Pork "Piccata" with Caramelized Cauliflower, Garden State Green Asparagus, Mache and "Sauce Grenobloise"

Finally, our last course, almost two hours later, and as you can tell from the horrible photo, the sun had stopped flowing through the windows, the lights were turned low, and we could barely see... but what is in that picture, I promise, is our last and final course, BEEF!  Perfectly cooked steak, some phenomenally cooked tomatoes bursting with flavor... true deliciousness.  I was almost too stuffed to enjoy it, but I took my time to savor every bite...

From the menu: Snake River Farms' "Calotte de Boeuf" with Hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, roasted salsify, tomato confit and "Bearnaise" reduction

Throughout the entire meal, we had many waiters attend to our needs, refilling our water glasses after every sip, replacing the cutlery, explaining the meal, etc.  Truly an incredible service experience!  I never had to ask for anything during this meal... it just appeared, perfectly timed and coordinated, like a dance...

After our final dish, we were presented with dessert menus, but quickly declined.  But then the waiter came out with four bites of tastiness... one marshmallow/pistachio combination, two fruity/tart jellies, and one heavenly dark chocolate bite:

And then came the bill.  We knew it would be an expensive meal, but slightly underestimated how much...

At least service was included!!!!

Was it worth it?  Yes.  It was an experience I will never forget.  Spending $463 on one dinner, though, is WAY too indulgent... and probably something that I won't do again, ever... not even for a special occasion.  While this meal was excellent, the service was excellent, I was disappointed that a few of the courses didn't "WOW" me... the food was delicious at every meal, but I was wanting to be bowled over at each and every turn, especially for the $$$ we shelled out...

Of course, I'm not an expert, so what do I know, but I just remember the phenomenal meal I had at Stella! in New Orleans, which blew my taste buds away.

Bottom line though, I am so glad that I had this experience.  Now I can cross it off my list, and never again wonder what I'm missing out on.  And be satisfied with my own home cooking and/or much less expensive meals that are equally as tasty :)

Just a few days left in NYC before I move!!!