Experience the pricey and exquisite 9 course tasting at New York’s Per Se as we compare to the tasting experience at Thomas Keller’s famous French Laundry Restaurant in Yountville, California (wine country). It’s Not French Laundry, Per Se (folk lore on how the name came about). Per Se in Italian means for itself. Both restaurants are thee Michelin Star and five Forbes star restaurants. We are talking foodie eating sensation heaven at either restaurant. As of this writing, the USA only has thirteen 3 Michelin restaurants and Mr Keller has two of those restaurants.
Per Se is a popular New York City restaurant located on Columbus Circle at the south west end of Central Park in mid town NYC. There are wonderful views of Columbus Circle and Central Park from any seat in the two tier restaurant but we were lucky enough to score a window table on a Saturday night. Unlike the somewhat country feel of the French Laundry (with it’s garden across the street) the Per Se is located on the 4th floor of a high end mall and has a very cosmopolitan feel and modern look. Both restaurants have the traditional blue entry door!
The menu is prix fixe tasting offering intricately prepared and presented delicious food. The menu changes daily and there always is a vegetarian option at either restaurant. The fixed cost starts at $355 per person not including wine or extra alternatives which is similar to French Laundry. Reservations are made through Tock website and of course are difficult to get at either restaurant but open up on odd months 60 days in advance. A five course tasing menu is available in the Salon seating area at a lower price but we did not see anyone doing that and were not able to reserve it on the website. You can make a request or comment when making a reservation. I commented it was my birthday and the restaurant communicated by email very promptly on special options and seating requests. They offer a birthday cake for $95 but with all the deserts served it would be too much. They did put a candle on a cake for me which was great but at French Laundry they put a much larger candle that is more like a firework (probably due to different fire laws or concerns). Per Se has 1 private dining area and French Laundry has 3.
We were delighted to start our feeding frenzy with the off menu amuse bouche of salmon tara tara and cheese crackers. We loved the salmon and the attentive wait staff picked up on this and gave a bonus serving of it. The first plate starts out with Keller’s famous “oysters and pearls” served at either restaurant. The “gougere” course was also similar to French Laundry. There are an amazing variety of desserts including mignardises hand made chocolates and New York’s upscale take on donuts and coffee – semifreddo topped with milk foam paired with cinnamon sugar donut. They gave macaroons, chocolates, and short bread to go.
We were lucky enough to have Thomas Keller chat with us at our table before we get a tour of the kitchen. The experience was flawless. On leaving they gave me a menu personalized with my name on it and signed by the head chef which French Laundry does as well.