Manresa x Instersect by Lexus
It’s a super warm Thursday today in NYC and it seems like summer is now in full force. The vibe in the city has clearly moved forward to a more positive and relaxed note. People are freer in walking around without masks and in groups now.
It’s starting to feel like the conundrums of last year are slowly vanishing and being replaced with a new vigor, a new normal. Restaurants are up and running now in full swing this summer and what better way to kick off NYC’s comeback tour then a visit to Intersect by Lexus on 412 W 14th Street and check out their residency program for this season which is Manresa restaurant from Los Gatos, CA.
My editor and I were lucky enough to secure a booking for tonight at 5 pm and we arrived promptly to check out the venue. Very impressive interior, modern and hip but with a bit of an elegant finish all around the space. Our server Elly greeted us warmly and explained the concept of the menu, the guest restaurant and the most importantly her favorites.
The bocales portion of the menu was quite intriguing and tough choices had to be made and we had to be firm about them. We opted for the salmon rillette and duck foie gras pate.
The salmon rillette was part crudo and part lightly smoked
While the foie gras was garnished with cacao nibs and Armagnac.
Both dishes were phenomenal and served with a side of Manresa sourdough bread.
The meal could have not started any better and some refreshments were in order. We started with Sorrel which was with St. George Terroir Gin with fino sherry and salers. Refreshing and very easy to drink this cocktail was, a perfect summer drink that made us finish our first course quicker than expected.
The appetizer portion was now about to commence, and we ordered the crowd favorites which were the striped jack sashimi style and herb panisse and pomme paillasson.
The sashimi was with sesame, radish and citrus which blended perfectly and was superb overall.
The panisse was with meyer lemon and boquerones which was so light and crisp that we could have eaten another order ☺
As Elly was clearing our table, I couldn’t help but notice and ask her if that was Eric Ripert seated 2 tables across from us and she said yes, it is him and that Danny Meyer was also dining in the room at the back. It felt so nice for me to be in the same room as these culinary idols of mine whose books I collect, and it just made me feel that the old NYC is slowly coming back.
Our mains slowly made their way to our table, and I got the roasted aged duck while Julian opted for the grilled black cod.
The duck was garnished with five vegetables and a sharp carrot jus
While the black cod was with market beans and bonito butter.
The entrees were just both perfectly executed in their respective cooking manner and technique and execution here stood out.
To end our meal on a sweet note we ordered the salted butter ice cream with rhubarb, meyer lemon granita and brown butter bits and the chocolate crescent with yuzu, chicory and cajeta. The ice cream was just an explosion of flavors while the chocolate crescent was decadently rich.
This was a perfect way to end our meal and the evening.
Thank you to Chef David Kinch and Manresa for bringing a bit of West Coast flavor to New York City…#KULINARYATRAVELS will be back next at Ama Raw Bar