Foodie adventures

Below I have included some reviews of select restaurants I have dined at. I am keeping this catalog of my thoughts and images of the food as primarily a personal diary of these amazing meals.

rare 650 - long island - 1/3/2020

For once, Alleah asked me if we could go to a restaurant she had wanted to for a while, Rare 650, near where she lives. It is well known for its seafood, sushi, and meats. We each had a cocktail to start and we both enjoyed the ones we got, mine was a lemonade with mint and vodka, the lakeside lemonade. Alleah had the white sangria, which she greatly enjoyed. We decided to go all out and we ordered calamari as an appetizer, two signature sushi rolls, entrees, and shared a dessert. We chose the Rare650 roll and the King Crab Rainbow roll. The Rare650 roll was a three fish roll with avacado and spicy mayo. The crab roll contained king crab, avacado, and other fish on top. Both were excellent. Very large, filled with meat, and the soy sauce and spicy mayo worked well with them. I ordered the swordfish and lobster from the specials menu for my entree and Alleah had the Rare650 house salad. Both of our entrees were plated well and tasted great. I don’t have swordfish often and I really liked it. Although we were both full, we ordered a strawberry and vanilla mousse layer cake. I rarely eat dessert and it was very very good. Overall, I was quite impressed with Rare650. None of the meal was remotely disappointing, and we had great service. Prices were above average, but that was expected. I would definitely come back or be interested in trying one of the other restaurants in the group.

Food Taste: 8.8/10 Food Presentation: 8.2/10 Atmosphere: 8.4/10 Service: 9.0/10 Value: 9.3/10

Jewel bako - NYC - 1/2/2020

Distinctions: 1 Michelin Star

Cost: $50 pp for sushi platter each

Although we were not expecting to dine here when we did, we were nearby shopping in Soho and decided we wanted sushi, and Jewel Boko had many open timeslots. We arrived on time and after waiting a few minutes, we were the first party seated in the main, small dining room. The room itself had small, sturdy tables and an arching bamboo walls around it. It was dimly lit and we received our menus and chopsticks. Jewel Boko offered a la carte appetizers, various maki and sashimi options, chef sushi/sashimi platters, and two tasting menus. We decided to just have water, although they did have many sake and cocktail options. Since we had reservations at the Museum of Ice Cream exactly one hour after our reservation, and to save money, we both opted for the sushi platter, which included a white miso soup, and an entree with a 6-piece spicy salmon maki roll, 10 assorted nigiri including tuna, salmon, grunge, shrimp, and eel, and an egg tamago shaped like bread. Before receiving the miso soup, we both got an amuse boche, which was crispy rice with salmon on top. The miso soup was definitely above average, and different than your typical one. The sushi platters came out quickly after finishing our soup and were presented very well. The waiter quickly went through each piece. Alleah had to pick at her sushi because it had wasabi in the nigiri. The taste and flavors of the sushi were excellent. We definitely could have eaten more, but we knew we’d be eating ice cream soon after, so we were satisfied. Overall, we were happy we came here and that reservations were available, and it was a good value for under $100 total.

Food Taste: 8.3/10 Food Presentation: 8.0/10 Atmosphere: 8.4/10 Service: 9.0/10 Value: 9.0/10

MArea - nyc - 11/6/2019

Distinctions: 1 Michelin Star

Cost: $128 for prix fixe 4-course tasting menu

On the way back from Alleah’s cousin’s wedding, we stopped in NYC to walk around, shop, and to dine here for dinner. On our way in, was passed the NYC marathon runners, which was chaotic all around central park. We were seated as the very first table at 5:30 PM and both had a drink to start. We both decided to select the four-course tasting menu, which included crudo/antipasto/oysters, pasta, secondi, and dolce (dessert) because we thought it would gave us the best combination of different tastes. Before the courses came, we were served a tasty amuse-boche and bread. We both loved the bread and butter, especially the garlic bread. I probably ate 4 pieces myself. My first course was crudo (below), which was light, but flavorful. My pasta was the star of the evening (besides Alleah), which was a fusili pasta with red wine braised octopus and bone marrow. This dish was supposedly one of the most popular, and it was clear why. My secondi, a seafood bouillabaisse, was great too, there was a lot of meat. We told them we were celebrating my birthday, so I got a second dessert too, both of which were awesome.

Food Taste: 9.3/10 Food Presentation: 8.5/10 Atmosphere: 8.8/10 Service: 9.0/10 Value: 9.2/10

Restaurant Jérôme Ferrer Europea - Montreal, Québec, Canada - 4/6/2019

Cost: $150 for tasting menu

During my spring break trip to Montreal with Alleah, I planned a special dinner for us at Europea. I found this restaurant through Trip Advisor, and it had very high reviews. After we mistakenly went to the wrong location, we found the new location and were ushered to an introductory seating area (pictured left). They gave us an old box with kettle corn popcorn and a cocktail and wine menu. We each ordered a drink, which were fantastic, and were escorted upstairs to out main table. We were presented with our dinner options and we decided to both go with the tasting menu. From our very first course, we were wowed with the cuisine and service. The presentation and unique plating was mesmerizing. Furthermore, the experience itself was unique. Before our oyster course we were given a virtual reality headset with a video of a fisherman catching oysters. We also were given headphones at one stage and listened to an audio file before eating. We were boiled our soup in front of us, had to pluck cotton candy off of a mini tree, and broke open our dessert with a hammer. It was by far the best service, atmosphere, and unique dining experience I have had. It was very fun to go here with Alleah and we both really enjoyed the entire evening.

Food Taste: 8.7/10 Food Presentation: 9.5/10 Atmosphere: 9.7/10 Service: 9.5/10 Value: 9.5/10

Yamazato restaurant - amsterdam, NL - 1/5/2019

Distinctions: 1 Michelin star

Cost: $150 for the AOI Kaiseki menu

On our last full day in Amsterdam, Stephanie and I went to the Yamazato Restaurant in the famous Hotel Okura. Initially, when I found this restaurant, I had wanted to go to the Ciel Bleu, a 2 Michelin star restaurant in the same hotel, but they were booked a month in advance. Despite this, we were excited to be at a traditional Japanese restaurant, as we both love asian cuisine. We started with the suggested glass of Moët and Chandon champagne, and both chose the chef’s recommendation tasting menu. We were served an 8-course meal and we had fantastic service the whole time. I opted in for the wine pairing, which was my first time doing one. Everything was presented well, in great proportion, and tasted wonderful. We were both very impressed with the entire meal.

Food Taste: 8.5/10 Food Presentation: 8.5/10 Atmosphere: 8.7/10 Service: 9.2/10 Value: 9.0/10

Restaurant Arpège - Paris, FR - 1/2/2019

Distinctions: 3 Michelin stars, #8 Best Restaurant in the World

Meal Cost: $475 USD for the earth and sea tasting menu

While we were in Paris, Stephanie and I went to l’Arpège, the at the time #8 restaurant in the world, number one restaurant in Paris, and 3 Michelin Star restaurant led by Alain Passard. We decided to dine for lunch, since it would likely allow us more time, and there was more availability. We arrived right at 12:00 PM, but unfortunately we were not even allowed to enter the building until the waiters were ready, which took a few minutes. We were the first table to be seated in the relatively small dining room. I decided to go with the earth and sea tasting menu, and Stephanie had the vegetarian one. We were quite impressed with the plating, quality, and taste of the food, but we did notice that both of our dishes each round were quite similar, even though my meal cost almost double what Stephanie’s was. They were great, but not the over the top amazing that I was expecting. One portion of the meal that was incredible was the bread. I have never consumed such wonderful bread and butter. It was unbelievable. Overall, I was satisfied with the meal, but did not think it stood up to its name and distinctions.

Food Taste: 9.3/10 Food Presentation: 9.7/10 Atmosphere: 8.5/10 Service: 8.3/10 Value: 6.0/10

sushi taro - Washington, DC - 6/5/2018

Distinctions: 1 Michelin star

Meal Cost: $245 for kaiseki menu with wagyu and lobster

Steve and I decided to celebrate the end of our first Shire event in Washington, D.C. by coming here for a meal. We preplanned that we would both do the kaiseki menu. At the last minute, Hayden decided to join us as well, and join in on my at the time most expensive meal. Steve and I both had alcoholic drinks (oh no I was only 20!) and I remember them well, because they were so unique. I was served one called a pokeball, which was a vodka-based yellow drink. Another was a very strong, dark purple drink served in a very detailed glass. All of our meals were incredible. There was a beautiful lobster and sashimi plate that absolutely wow’d us (pictured, left). This was the first time I tried wagyu, which was a crazy experience by itself. At one meal, we were served a huge, hot bowl of soup, which we cooked our wagyu in, then after, we were given noodles to eat in the same soup we had cooked our meat in. We had a couple maki rolls at the end, and the ice cream to finish was great too. This was my first Michelin star restaurant experience, and was certainly a deciding factor in my interest in fine dining and food.

Food Taste: 9.1/10 Food Presentation: 8.8/10 Atmosphere: 8.2/10 Service: 8.5/10 Value: 8.8/10

The kitchen - pittsford, NY - 1/12/2018 & 11/24/2018

Distinctions: AAA 4 Diamond Award

Meal Cost: $100 for 6 course menu

After exploring a lot of the dining options in Ithaca, and seeing Cornell friends eat at high tier restaurants, I was interested in having the experience for myself. On my sophomore year winter break, I booked reservations for my mom and I at the restaurant, which would be part of her Christmas gift. Sadly, she became ill and I had to go with my sister, Stephanie. We did the tasting menu and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. We were by far the youngest couple in the place, and we liked all of the attention we received by the staff. Having the staff describe each and every component of our meal was interesting and fun. Plus, at The Kitchen, the head chef, Joseph Cipolla, cooked all of the food right near where our table was. Everything was given its own special plate, and each course offered new ingredients and flavors. It was so much fun that I wanted to go back, and for my 21st birthday, my family joined me for another meal here. Another special thing about this restaurant is they would create custom menus for the table, with our reservation name printed on them. This place is extremely high quality, and it’s awesome it’s so close to home. I would definitely like to go back the next time I’m in Rochester.

Food Taste: 8.4/10 Food Presentation: 8.8/10 Atmosphere: 7.7/10 Service: 9.0/10 Value: 9.2/10