New York - The View

I was crying, Man was I crying. The tears rolled down my face like water over Niagara. It was 20 degrees on the streets of New York city with the wind at 40mph. We had no choice but to run into the wind and rain. And for two blocks we felt the sting of 10,000 shards of glass pierce our faces at 40mph. The rain came at us sideways and straight at our faces. I gasped, I couldn't catch my breath and then it hit me, My God, I was being water boarded  from heaven! I actually thought this as I stumbled and ran with my friends gasping for breath through the street as people were running the other direction and staring at us as only New Yorkers can. I was being water boarded from God. I saw the face of God and it was Dick Cheney staring down at me. I cried out "what do you want from me?" no one heard, thank God. Or maybe someone did? We finally made it the two blocks and hid behind a building to catch our breathes. I was so sure that I would have thousands of pinpoint black and blue marks on my face that I would look like Kenny Rogers after his last botched face lift or at best Susan Boyle in the morning. Some of my friends lit cigarettes as they tried to calm themselves. Even though it was way below 20 degrees with the wind chill factor. the wind was no longer able to smack us around. I needed the break, as cigarettes were choked down and addicts had there fill of nicotine.
One more block to run to make it to our destination. It was like running through the streets of Mogadishu. we laid our plan down on how to attack the building and where the front door might be.The last cigarette was crushed on the sidewalk and we were off and running again, this time dodging taxis and bewildered tourists from Ohio who just wanted to take pictures of the 40 foot tall Judge Judy billboards in Time Square. We ran through them, taxis and all. And it was worth it. Although I felt like I was just airlifted out of a jungle war, fighting for my life the whole way, it was surreal to come upon this place of valets wearing top hats and overcoats. Doors were opened for us and I felt vastly out of place, wet and still reeling from the pain with tears still streaming down my face. I kept thinking in the voice of Dennis Hopper, "Dude, do you have any F-ing idea of what we have just gone through man?".
We were directed to the coat check on the 3rd floor. Our destination was slightly higher.

The View Restaurant resides on the 48th floor and has one of the most spectacular views of New York city. The entire place revolves 360 degrees while you dine. The New York skyline and especially Times Square at night and definitely from 48 floors up, looks like you are in the film Blade Runner. Cool blues of the buildings mixed with shocking reds of the video screens, some hung at 20 to 30 floors high.

Ok, so you are in the Marriott Hotel on the 48th floor. But from this view it really didn't matter what the food was like. it was breath taking, even more than being water boarded from Mother nature. this took my breath away.

A cocktail of course was in order as we were all seated. a round of really poofy champagne cocktails was delivered, I would have preferred a Double Crown royal on the rocks after that storm, but the champagne cocktail was smooth and fruity, like Nathan Lane on Broadway.

 

Appetizer.

Foie Gras Duo
Foie Gras Terrine / Foie Gras Espuma / Toasted Brioche

I love this stuff and this was an interesting take on the culinary treat that is on the top 10 hit list from PETA. It came with two versions of Foie Gras, One was a traditional terrine formed cold slice. It was very creamy but extremely mild. Not really alot of flavor here. I was surprised.

 The other was Foie Gras Espuma. Espuma is basically whipped goose liver. Oh man, was this amazing. it was as light as fresh whipped cream but with a taste that was out of this world. Very goosey and gamey and when smeared on a lightly toasted piece of brioche became one with the universe.
I really have to say that it is very true that the bread in New York is the best in the country. Some say it's the water. I don't believe that. I have seen bakers make bread with Dasani bottled water in a couple of New York bakeries. All I know is that it's rich and chewy.

 Appetizer Part II

Jumbo Lump Crab cake
Marinated Cucumber/ Remoulade

Made with jumbo lump Maryland crab meat. Made with at least 80% crab. it was so sweet and not at all on the heavy side.

Main course.

ROASTED RACK OF LAMB
Merguez and White Bean Cassoulet / Harissa Lamb Jus

OK, First let's dissect the Cassoulet. Cassoulet is the soul food of France, the chicken soup for the soul. It's on virtually every menu in the country.And this was very good, mixed with the Merguez, which is a red spicy Moroccan sausage.It came in this little copper pan by itself.

A roasted slice of eggplant sat on a nice sauteed bunch of Broccolini. You could tell that someone took the time to think this dish out. Nice Morocan infuence from the copper pan to the Merguez sausage to the Harissa lamb jus. Harissa is Morocan chili sauce a lighter sriracha sauce. The lamb is domestic and was perfectly cooked. with a great fresh lamb flavor.

Entree Part II

Sauteed Scallops 
Butternut Squash / Forbidden Rice Risotto / Bacon Maple Glaze

This one just didn't work at all. I mean it didn't make sense to me. too many contrasting flavors going on. First off you have sweet briny scallops that should be the star of the show. But you place them on a bed of "Forbidden rice Risotto". Which is risotto made with squid ink and it takes over, then you glaze the scallops with maple syrup and top it all with sweet sticky sauteed butternut squash.

beautiful in presentation, but disgusting on the palette.Crazy combination of conflicting flavors here.

Desert.

New York Cheese cake.

Comon, it's New York right?  when you go to New York, you have to have two things, first a hot dog from a push cart and the other New York Cheese cake right? absolutely.
This was heaven. light and creamy. with a dense soury lemony tang on the palette. covered with crunchy meringue straws and fresh strawberries with baby sprigs of mint. Perfect to balance out the richness of the lamb and cassoulet.

 So Just like the TV show the view. Somethings work and some don't. But the view from this place is better than any food they could possibly serve. Was it worth the literally blinding weather to get here. Yea, with images of political figures throwing rain daggers at me. It was still worth it.

Chow

Michael

 The View
45th Street and Broadway
Times Square.