When you visit New York City, there are several things that you must do. First, one must walk down the famous 5^th Avenue. If you love shopping, this is where the fashion pulse beats! Next, you have to catch a Broadway musical or play. With more Hollywood artistes trying to add some form of Broadway performance into their credentials, this is probably the closest that most of us could ever get to meet a Hollywood movie star. The next important must-do when you visit the Big Apple is to visit an art museum. There are so many art museums that cater to every possible artistic palate that it is difficult not to find a museum that one likes.

And when we talk about palate, art museums are no longer the stifling ‘warehouses’ where stone sculptures and renaissance paintings are displayed. These days, besides art pieces, museums are fast becoming the next IT place for shopping and/or food. And sometimes, what attracts people to the museum is the gastronomical experience.

UNTITLED AT THE WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

The revamped Whitney Museum of American Art was reopened in mid May 2015 by US First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. While the revamped Whitney Museum proves to be popular with the artistically inclined, the museum restaurant, Untitled, is creating lots of positive buzz too.

Untitled is a fine dining restaurant helmed by acclaimed chefs Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern and Suzanne Cupps. Untitled at the Whitney Museum of American At has garnered so much positive reviews that it’s impossible to get a table without a reservation made at least a couple of days in advance. My partner and I were very lucky when we visited Untitled. We had no reservation and managed to get a table because a couple didn’t show up.

Using the freshest ingredients, Untitled serves up seasonal American fare. I strongly recommend the set lunch menu, which comes in ether two or three courses, and it gives you a good overview of the range of cuisine that Untitled serves.

I’m not a big fish eater. But the Black Bass served with Bok Choy and Mushroom Broth is superb! The black bass fillet was pan seared till its skin turned to a crispy brown. The snowy white fish meat was so tender and fresh. The mushroom broth was light and refreshing. It was simply spectacular and perfect for those who just wanted a light meal.

For the meat lovers, the Pork Sausage with Potato and Honey Mustard is equally good. However, it paled in comparison to the gorgeous black bass.

Frankly, you have to go to Untitled since it’s so conveniently located next to one of the most talked about attractions in New York City, the High Line Park. But before you go, do make a reservation through Open Table. It’s your best bet of getting a table at Untitled.

Untitled at The Whitney Museum of American Art
99 Gansevoort Street
New York, NY 10014
Tel: +001 212-570-3670
www.untitledatthewhitney.com

THE MODERN AT THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MoMA)

If you like expressions of modern art, you might want to visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Sometimes, I find modern art are sometimes so peculiar that I find it very difficult to appreciate them. But thankfully, the cuisine at The Modern, the restaurant located at the side of the museum, is more palatable and friendly.

There are two sections within The Modern. A more casual dining section called the Bar Room and a fine dining section called the Dining Room. While I’ve tried both, the one that impressed me more is the Dining Room. Please don’t get me wrong. The Bar Room is good but the Dining Room is of a different league totally.

The Modern at MoMA is extremely packed during meal times. This is a popular hangout for the rich and famous. The Bar Room is very high energy mainly because the pace is faster and direct. The tables are put more closely together and like its name, it has more of a bar atmosphere. On the other hand, the Dining Room is more discreet and subtle. The spacious room overlooks The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. On a good day, you get lots of bright daylight and it makes the dining experience so much more enjoyable.

The Dining Room is helmed by Executive Chef Abram Bissell and Pastry Chef JiHo Kim, with the latter overseeing the desserts. Do not undermine this restaurant. The Modern at MoMA is a one-Michelin starred restaurant and it has three stars from The New York Times.

The Blanquette of Suckling Pig is outrageously good. The meat was so flavourful and tender. The taste was simply divine.

While the food was executed with perfection and tasted divine, it was the presentation that blew me away. The plating and presentation of the food, especially the desserts, was so beautiful and creative that every dish is a piece of art.

I adore the White Chocolate Mousse with Angel Food Cake and Mango Sorbet. First, it was visually stunning. Secondly, the different flavours came together perfectly. The other dessert that took my partner and I by surprise was the Warm Piña Colada Cake served with Jasmine Custard and Pandan Ice Cream. The flavours, especially the pandan ice cream, reminded us of our home in South-east Asia.

Unless you have a deep pocket, I would recommend lunch instead of dinner since the former is much more affordable. And as usual, a reservation is highly recommended.

The Modern at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
9 West 53rd St
New York, NY 10019
Tel: +001 212-333-1220
www.themodernnyc.com

THE PETRIE COURT CAFE AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

Even if you’re not a museum lover, you cannot not visit the grand dame of all museums -The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. This museum houses art that spans centuries, from east to west, from Egyptian to European, from paintings to sculptures. This place is so huge that one will need days to comb the entire museum thoroughly. If you do decide to visit the MET, you will need to rest your tired feet, at some point in time, in one of the nine restaurants and cafes within the historical building.

Depending on your preference, some of these eateries are more casual than the others and a few are meant for members and patrons only. But if you prefer a full-service cafe, I would recommend the Petrie Court Café. How often do you get to dine in a café where one side of it overlooks the gorgeous New York’s Central Park and the other faces ancient European marble sculptures such as the Perseus with the Head of Medusa.

As usual, I advise one to take the set menu if you have the time and stomach for a full meal. The 3-course set lunch was worth every penny, you start with a soup, followed by a main, and end with a dessert. I love the thick Spring Carrot Soup served with black cardamom, toasted almond and chili oil.

The Chicken Fricassee was equally fantastic. The tender and juicy chicken thigh was served with a generous amount of corn pudding. However, I was a tad disappointed with the Chocolate Molten Cake. Although the taste was good, the chocolate within the cake was not hot enough and it was a little too solidified for me. If the cake was heated a little longer, I believe that this would be a marvelous dessert.

When I was there in May, it was the maine lobster season. Hence, it was the perfect time to have anything lobster. The thick Lobster Bisque was so rich in flavour and velvety in texture. Every time my partner lifted his soup spoon, he marveled in awe how the lobster bisque reminded him of the ocean.

As for the Lobster Roll, he said it was the best among all that he had eaten during the entire trip. The slice of bread was laid with chunky pieces of lobster meat. Till today, he still thinks of the delectable crustacean meal.

The MET has something for everyone. And it would be a pity if you don’t visit the museum at least once.

The Petrie Court Café at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street),
New York, NY 10028
Tel: +001 212-535-7710
www.metmuseum.org