Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC

As part of the 50th birthday celebration of the Four Seasons Restaurant, they offer a $59 three-course prix-fixe menu. Since this fits into our budget and offers a formal dining experience, we decided to give it a try. Jacket is required at this restaurant, and so we dressed up formally. There is a pool in the middle of the room which is nice to look at. We got seated in side-by-side seats, which felt very cozy. The clientele of the restaurant is over 50 years old on the average. To the wait staff, I bet we looked like youngsters who pretended to be adults. They brought us some crossaints and grape tomatoes to start.

We both ordered the $59 three-course prix-fixe menu because of its great value. For appetizer, I ordered the main lobster and summer corn risotto. The risotto does not have much taste to it and needs more seasoning. Also, there is not much lobster meat in it, but I guess that’s expected of a $59 three-course menu. My husband ordered the crisp shrimp with mustard sauce. This is the better of the two appetizers. It is a Chinese and Indian Fusion dish. The shrimp is crispy and the mustard sauce has a curry taste to it.

For main dish, we ordered the breast of farmhouse duck and braised veal cheeks. The breast of farmhouse duck is a Peking duck wanna-be. The skin of the duck is very crispy but the duck meat is too dry. It is served with cranberry sauce, but there is not enough sauce in this dish. The veal cheeks tasted very tender just like Chinese style beef belly.

Saving the best for last, we ordered the Four Seasons’ famous soufflés for dessert. We ordered the chocolate soufflé and raspberry soufflé. The chocolate soufflé is one of the best that we’ve had. It has some powered sugar on top. The soufflé is so perfectly baked, so soft and fluffy! To add to the richness of the soufflé, the waiter dug a little hole in the soufflé and poured some chocolate sauce and whipped cream into it. The raspberry soufflé has a very refreshing taste to it since its sourness is just right.

Before bringing us the check, the waiter brought us a gigantic cotton candy cake and a small plate of cookies, chocolate, and pastries. The cotton candy cake made us feel like little kids again. The small plate of cookies, chocolate, and pastries present a nice touch to the finish line.

Overall, the appetizers and main dishes are so-so, but the desserts made it a memorable dinner.

HOKAT Rating:
86/100

Address:
99 E 52nd StNew York, NY 10022
(212)754-9494
http://www.fourseasonsrestaurant.com