Orsay

Technorati Tags: Brasserie,French,Restaurants

1057 Lexington Avenue, at 75^th Street

and is open for lunch Monday-Saturday from 12-3:30pm

(212) 517-6400

ORSAY IS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Lunch

Mon-Sat

12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  Cafe/Bar Menu

Mon-Sat
Sunday

11:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

  Dinner

Mon-Sat

Sunday

5:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

  Sunday Brunch

11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Banquets & Events

212.517.0015  212.517.0015

Click Here For Reservations

212.517.6400  212.517.6400

  Fax
212.517.3896  212.517.3896

Website, Click Here

Designed by Jean Denoyer, 

By Nancy Walman

Designed by Jean Denoyer, Orsay strikes that difficult balance of sophistication and warmth. Dark mahogany paneled walls meet buttery Art Nouveau arches. Waves of hand-laid Italian mosaic tiles fan in beautiful patterns across the floor. Banquettes topped with frosted glass provide privacy, and soft lighting emanates from Art Nouveau chandeliers custom designed from one Denoyer found in a Paris antiques shop. A 20-foot zinc-topped bar and French doors spill onto a sidewalk terrace, completing this elegant Parisian-style brasserie. 
The Dazzling Shellfish  Plateau

Orsay marries modern French and classic brasserie fare with an award-winning wine list including 225 predominantly French and American varietals.

Besides Orsay’s celebrated Cheese Soufflé (see below), dinner offers a fabulous fresh shellfish plateau  (including fresh oysters, clams, crab claws, shrimp and more), a classic hors d’ oeuvres carousel and out of this world appetizers like inventive tartars, superb foie gras, and an eggplant and goat cheese terrine (a special) that should become a regular.

There are wonderful plats du jour and daily specials (so inquire) and all the French classics you love like a juicy hanger steak with crispy Fries, fresh Dover sole, duck a l’orange, and a knockout braised beef short ribs in red wine with celery-root puree and melted baby brussel sprouts.Currently, the fixed price dinner is $35 or a la carte. A la carte is equally affordable.

There’s a good selection of wines by the bottle, 1/2 bottle or glass (best values include Perrier Jouet NV at $19 a glass, Heidsieck & Co Monopole Champagne Blue Top Rose, under $60, by the 1/2 bottle,  and Guigal Gigondas 2005 rhone wine, under $40 by the 1/2 bottle.

Leave room for terrific bread and desserts like daily baked tarts (lemon and apricot were lovely) delicious cookies and wonderful coffee at Orsay. Service is friendly and sans snoot.  Without question one of Manhattan’s most consistently authentic Brasseries.

The Soufflé Returns 

A favorite entrée of ladies who lunch (and served only at lunch) – La Goulue’s cheese soufflé – is back on the menu due to popular demand. It is served daily at Orsay, La Goulue’s sister restaurant, and prepared by the same chef, Antoine Camin.

Orsay receives nearly 100 calls per week from people asking about La Goulue’s reopening. While that remains to be determined, they invariably ask about the cheese soufflé. This is the first week of Orsay’s new winter menu and the cheese soufflé is a welcome lunchtime feature.

The dish is especially popular with women (including society ladies), who order it as an entrée. It is only available during lunchtime as it takes 25 minutes to prepare. Made with two cheeses, eggs, butter and other “secret” ingredients (the complete recipe has never been revealed), the dish must be timed exactly right or it won’t rise properly. It has been hugely popular since it was originally introduced in 1972.

Absolutely the best cheese soufflé in New York!

Copyright 2009 By Punchin International. All Rights Reserved.

Le Colonial

 

Le Colonial is located at 149 East 57th Street, between Lexington and 3rd Avenues.
Phone:  212.752.0808  212.752.0808 | Fax: 212.752.7534
Hours Of Operation
Lunch is served in the main dining room Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Dinner is served in the main dining room seven nights per week:
5:30 – 11:00 Sunday- Monday
5:30 – 11:30 Tuesday – Thursday
5:30 – midnight Friday – Saturday
The 2nd floor bar and lounge is open at 4:30 daily.
Guests can enjoy the lounge menu Tuesday – Saturday until 1:00 a.m., and Sunday-Monday until midnight. 

Executive Chef Extrodinaire: Xuan Pham (Below)

Beverage Director: David Merida (Above)

Visit
Le Colonial Chicago
Le Colonial San Francisco

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The Queen of Asian Cuisine Reigns at Le Colonial

By Nancy Walman

Designed by Greg Jordan, of Greg Jordan, Inc., Le Colonial transports guests to another milieu from a bygone era, to the enchanting tropical Southeast Asia from the 1920s. To re-create the mood and experience of this magnificent time and place in all its splendor, Mr. Jordan says, "I chose to design with unique tiled floors, crudely painted walls and antique mercury panels to keep the interior as simple, yet as elegant as possible."

The ecru walls of the first-floor Dining Room are lined with handsome, louvered shutters. Comfortable, tightly-woven rattan chairs surround amply-spaced tables that provide seating for as many as 95 guests. The 12ft ceilings feature delicate fans to gently cool the room, which is filled with lush, potted palms and graceful banana trees. Nostalgic photographs of life in Saigon during the 1920s cover the walls and lead guests up to a lively second floor Lounge.

Upstairs, there is a large mahogany Bar that serves cocktails for up to 25 guests. Sensual music fills the spacious room. Guests can sit at the Bar or in the 50-person Lounge, a comfortable, romantic oasis adorned with sofas, Oriental rugs, low tables and antique furnishings.

Enhancing the restaurant’s exquisite ambiance and feel is the exceptional menu of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Among the Appetizer and Petite Salad choices are Cha Gio, crispy spring rolls with shrimp, pork, crab, shitake mushrooms and nuoc cham dipping sauce; Chao Tom, grilled shrimp mousse wrapped on sugar cane, with angel hair noodles with lettuce wraps and peanut dipping sauce; and Goi Ca, seared rare tuna with black pepper crust, atop a mesclun salad tossed with a spicy soy dressing. A tasting of 5 appetizers is a perfect way to begin. Also sample the crabmeat and avocado martini.

Signature entrees include Ca Chien Saigon, Vietnamese crisp-seared whole red snapper with a light, spicy and sour; Bo La Lot, grilled lemongrass filet mignon wrapped in la lot leaves served with peanuts and pineapple mesclun salad; Ca Chien Gung, pan seared salmon with ginger crust with basil, leeks and bell peppers, served with lemongrass sauce; and Bo Sate, sautéed filet mignon with sate spice, yams and long beans. STEAMED CHILEAN SEA BASS WRAPPED IN BANANA LEAVES, WITH GLASS NOODLES, ROMA TOMATOES, SHIITAKE & OYSTER MUSHROOMS & GINGER SOY SAUCE is one of the best seafood creations we tasted this year.

An expertly trained waitstaff assists guests in understanding the truly unique menu, and is always available to offer suggestions on complimenting dishes. There is an excellent mixologist and a good selection of wine and beer, thanks to Beverage Director,  David Merida . Even the desserts, often an afterthought in Asian restaurants, are memorable. I especially liked the green tea, layered crepe-pie. And don’t miss the terrific Vietnamese coffee (like a café filtre with evaporated milk).

Le Colonial is a world class Vietnamese restaurant (and one of our personal favorites of any genre in New York). Thanks to the efforts of executive chef Xuan Pham, dishes are pure, clean,  and traditional with a bow to a healthy, contemporary life style. A former pharmacist (with an MBA as well), her style is unique. New York’s premiere Vietnamese restaurant is a gem and is not to be missed.

See Menu, Chef’s Bio and more Images.

Copyright 2009 By Punch In International. All Rights Reserved

Champagne Announces Forecast for 2009 Harvest

 

The 2009 harvest has commenced in Champagne, France as the region predicted another high quality season.

“The recent warm and dry weather is just what the Champagne winegrowers ordered for the grapes to ripen and eventually be blended to become the wines of Champagne known the world over,” said Champagne Bureau Director Sam Heitner. “As we embark on this promising harvest season, the unique region where true Champagne comes from is well poised to continue their tradition of producing quality wines that are versatile enough to be enjoyed for a special occasion or every day.”

The rules of the harvest are strictly set in the more than 300 villages in the Champagne appellation. The harvest began with the hand-picking of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, according to the schedule released by the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC). While the majority of the grapes are set to begin being picked this week, some regions began picking their first grapes early last week. The precise picking schedule for each of the three grape varieties is based on the location, soil conditions and the date of the spring flowering in each village.

TOP 10 FREE THINGS TO DO IN BEVERLY HILLS

LUXE HOTEL RODEO DRIVE’S TOP 10 FREE THINGS TO DO IN BEVERLY HILLS Yes, Beverly Hills is home to high-end boutiques and multi-million dollar real estate, but that doesn’t mean everything here has to come with a high price tag. In fact, Beverly Hills offers some great things to do that are free. Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, the only hotel on Beverly Hills’ most famous shopping street, shares its list of Top 10 Free Things To Do In And Near Beverly Hills. Add a stay at the hotel, with special rates starting at $199 per night, and explore Beverly Hills without breaking the bank. Less than six square miles, Beverly Hills is truly a “walking” city within greater Los Angeles. It offers a vast collection of public art, extraordinary architecture, beautiful parks and gardens, and many community events. Whether it’s a self-guided tour along Rodeo Drive, a museum visit, or a movie screening, Beverly Hills CAN be explored without spending a dime. And of course window shopping doesn’t cost a thing. Top 10 Things To Do For Free In Beverly Hills:

Two-Year Trial Memberships in the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club

Technorati Tags: travel,clubs

An Affordable and Maintenance-Free Alternative to a Second Home

Experience the extraordinary as a member of the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club with a limited-time offer of unprecedented access and flexibility. Each spacious residence – typically 4,000 square feet with four bedrooms and at least four bathrooms – is a comfortable home away from home for family and friends, and the perfect place for life’s most cherished memories.

“This two-year trial offer is designed for those considering a second home or who simply want an extended opportunity to experience club life before making a long-term commitment,” says Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club President Scott Wiseman. “Families can enjoy the privacy of a spacious home in their choice of popular resort destinations for much less than the cost of comparable hotel suites. Club membership is an affordable, maintenance-free alternative for those thinking about buying a second home.”

This limited time offer will enable qualified individuals to experience the benefits of Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club membership for up to two years with no up-front capital contribution required. Two-year trial members will pay normal Club dues with a 10% premium — a premium that will be credited to their capital contribution should they later join the Club as a permanent equity member. Trial members can choose from a 15-night, 30-night or 45-night annual plan, and they can immediately reserve and enjoy residences owned by the Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, complete with A&K’s world-renowned service from start to finish.