16 Apr 2010, Posted by admin in L'Epicurien, 0 Comments

degustation proves to be a foodie’s paradise

Degustation is a small-plate oriented tapas restaurant in the East Village that incorporates molecular gastronomy essentials and is a great choice for any foodie. The 15-item menu utilizes 16 seats to frame out three sides of the open kitchen. Despite close quarters with neighboring diners, the setting is ideal for a duo (particularly a date). Larger parties should shy away from this restaurant as a side-by-side group discussion would be nearly impossible.

Though the menu is particularly meat-oriented, the servers will zealously accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences. Lured by the exotic and gourmet nature of the offerings, my companion and I dove into the five-course tasting menu for $55. The first course was cuddle fish, decorated with red radishes, essence of hazelnut, and dressed with yogurt and green pesto. Next was a pureed sunchoke soup, poured on top of salmon colored sea urchin and garnished with diced apples and fresh tarragon.

Mains included a perfectly seared duck breast resting on crunchy flatbread, dressed with balsamic vinaigrette and herbs. The roasted lamb was accompanied by a colorful assortment of cauliflower: purple, green, and white. Pink seat trout was grilled to perfection, served medium-rare, as it should be, with bright-pink crisp skin atop hearty wheat berries. It was paired with one fresh, fried artichoke heart and a juicy, orange slice that complemented the sauce’s flavors: dill and spicy mustard crème fraiche. Pork belly, also ideally cooked, was served with a fried egg, steamed spinach, and placed in an electric, yellow-orange broth.

Degustation ended on a high note. The decadent, brioche bread pudding was finished with a flamed, caramelized sugar coating and served with one slice of grapefruit to balance out the sweetness of the dish. The other dessert was a banana chocolate pot, decadently layered bread pudding with a cake-like texture at the bottom and a cookie-like crunch throughout. A creamy, potent banana sauce finished off the pot, welcoming spoon entry.

Degustation Wine & Tasting Bar

239 East 5th Street

212-979-1012

–Melissa Matarese