July 29th 2008
Le Cirque ---(a.k.a Le Overrated)
DISCLAIMER: Before I begin this review, I must admit that I had extremely high expectations before dining there on the food, service, reputation, etc. So, if I seem a little harsh it is because I was expecting perfection.
First Course: Australian Shrimp, Asian mixed vegetables, coconut lemongrass jus
Nothing too special about this dish except for the foamy broth which was underneath the oversized shrimp giving it some extra flavor. Not sure if you are familiar with Richard from Top Chef: Season 4 but the broth reminded me of a special concoction that he would make with a high tech gadget to impress the judges. Well done Chef.
Second Course: Daurade grilled with Soba noodles, zucchini, scallions, ginger, fennel salad
This was probably the best dish of the night. The last time I had Daurade was in
Third Course: Chicken stuffed with morels, caramelized cocotte, asparagus, morel jus
I am not sure why a basic poached chicken dish was even on the menu. Furthermore, I am disappointed in myself for ordering it. I probably should have mentioned earlier that my choices were limited since I was ordering from the restaurant week menu. From my previous experience, Chicken seems to be a safe bet. It tasted like a bad Fresh Direct Heat n’ Eat meal. The chicken was dry and flavorless, while the sauce was boring.
Desert: Crème Brulee “Le Cirque”
It was getting late into the 4th quarter and the chef needed something to win me back. He tried hard with the Crème Brulee, but it still wasn’t enough to fully win me over. To his credit, the topping was perfectly crystallized and the custard was bursting with creamy rich flavors.
In conclusion, it was a fine dining experience, but really proves why restaurant week is such a great concept. Basically, you have the opportunity to eat at the “supposed” best restaurants in the city for $35/person. If you are really impressed by the food, it could be the kind of place you would go back in the future for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Unfortunately, Le Cirque just isn’t that kind of place for me.
| Restaurant Review Rating Scale | ||||
| Total Points Available | ||||
| Food | 7.5 | 10 | ||
| Service | 8 | 10 | ||
| Ambiance | 9 | 10 | ||
| Bang for the Buck | 7 | 10 | ||
| Overall | 7.5 | 10 | ||
| 39 | 50 | |||
212 644 0202
http://www.lecirque.com/index2.htm
