On a recent trip to New York, we decided to visit the Grand Salon restaurant, which can be found located inside the stunning Baccarat Hotel in the very heart of this wonderful city. The Grand Salon is a superb restaurant with Two-Michelin starred Culinary Director, Gabriel Kreuther at the helm we knew we were in good hands. The restaurant offers a stunning interior, with a neutral colour palette and parquet floors with appropriate banquettes, all housed under a gorgeous Baccarat chandelier. This is true New York style in a fabulous location.
When we arrived we were greeted warmly by a member of the team and were shown to our table. As an aperitif, my partner opted for one one of their cocktails by the name of Le Savant, which saw a mix of Hennessy XO Cognac, Grand Brulot Café Liqueur, Punt e Mes Vermouth, demerara syrup, habenero and orange bitters and cacao nib. This was a stunning cocktail, full of flavour and a real kick. I went for the Jolie en Rose which saw a mix of Haku Vodka, Combier Rose Liqueur, Cocchi Americana Rosa, Lillet Rose, yuzu, rhubarb and wild strawberry bitters. This was certainly a fruity cocktail, and I was rather pleased with my choice.
To begin our meal, my partner decided on the fava beans and spring leeks risotto to start, with the addition of black truffle which completed the dish wonderfully. The earthy tones of this dish were simply delicious. I went for the watercress and beet salad which also included citrus segments and fennel pollen along with the addition of lobster. The lobster was cooked to perfection and the freshness of the other ingredients really worked well in bringing out its sweet flavour.
“Everything from the service to the cuisine, to the presentation of the dishes and the elegant surroundings was nothing short of impressive.”
For our main courses, after much debate, I finally decided on the halibut which was served with eggplant caviar, green olive and teardrop tomato salad. Again, this fresh and light dish was a real joy, and was certainly a plate I would love to experience again. My partner opted for the Black Angus beef burger, which was served with pickled red onion and Comté cheese. The burger was very tasty, and certainly hit all the right spots. We also added sides of roasted heirloom potatoes with smoked butter, as well as asparagus and foraged mushrooms and French fries with sumac aioli.
During our meal, we enjoyed a bottle of their 2014 Robert Mondavi Winery, Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA. This dark wine was full of delicious dark berry flavours, with a hint of vanilla and plenty of spice. It was the perfect addition to our meal.
Overall we cannot fault our experience at the Grand Salon. Everything from the service to the cuisine, to the presentation of the dishes and the elegant surroundings was nothing short of impressive. We would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone in New York and will certainly look forward to returning during our next visit.