Guess what? Today officially kicked off NYC Restaurant Week Winter 2010:
Oh yes, reservations have been made. Today I enjoyed lunch at AQUAVIT, an upscale Scandinavian restaurant in Midtown East. No better time to try Scandinavian cuisine than during Restaurant Week.
Everything that could have gone wrong prior to our late afternoon reservations, did. I put on my sweater dress backwards (true story), my friend’s backpack ripped as he ran to catch the train and we got soaked in the pouring rain.
Regardless of all the chaos, we made it to the restaurant on time. I got to dine with three fine gentlemen. In their fancy pants attire, per restaurant rules:
This place is definitely a fancy pants kind of joint. We got some looks as we walked in: we were younger than everyone there by at least twenty years! Lots of business lunches were in process.
The inside is elegant, clean, bright and overall really beautiful. We got a nice table in the corner.
We got the Restaurant Week menu ($24.07 for a three-course lunch), which I already thoroughly studied online, of course 
For the first course, I got the Artichoke Bisque with Smoked Venison & Rapeseed Oil:
This soup was creamy and rich, with a distinct artichoke hearts flavor. The venison pieces were smokey and crispy, a perfect contrast to the sweet taste of the bisque. This was by far, my favorite course.
We were also presented with a platter of six different fresh breads. I chose the whole wheat, which was soft and delicious. It was served with herb butter.
For the second course, one option stood out to me over seared salmon (eh, boring) and pearl barley risotto (I can make that at home). I ordered the Whole Roasted Cornish Hen: parsnip, spinach, brussels sprouts and sage béchamel:
This was delicious. The hen was juicy and soft, I could tell that it was fresh. There was also a decent amount of veggies (hiding under the handsome hen). It was really good and I’m glad I got it! I’d never cook this bird myself.
For dessert, I got the Chocolate Mousse with House-Made Mango Serbet & Candied Hazelnuts:
This was just okay. Not terribly gross but also not particularly tasty. My friends, who got the traditional Swedish spice cake, also didn’t like their dessert too much. I tried a bite of the cake and it was dry.
We also thought about getting some tea, until finding out that a cup of tea costs $7. When you’re paying $24 for a three-course meal that seems a little excessive, no?
Beyond the food:
- The wait: we arrived 10 minutes before our reservation and were seated promptly.
- The service: our waiter was very attentive and helpful. Exceptional!
- The decor: clean and crisp, very pleasant atmosphere. A great place for business lunches, since it was packed with men and women in suits.
This was a good kickoff to Restaurant Week but I’m even more excited for what’s coming up next!
When was the last time you went out to eat? Where did you go?
Nice! Very jealous of Restaurant Week! I’m so far away in Jersey! LOL
The last restaurant I went to was La Taverna in Dayton, NJ for a business lunch. Love this place!
http://latavernarestaurantandbar.com/
So fun! I love the Restaurant Week concept…hopefully one day I will live in a city that actually has them
I ate a this great Greek place with my friend last week, which, oddly I love mainly for their AMAZING margaritas.
i am so jealous! i want restaurant week!
cornish hen is one of my favorites. we used to have it in lieu of turkey on thanksgiving. glad you enjoyed (most of) the meal!
The hen looks good. I think that was a good choice. Now the real question is, did the waiter show you to the bathroom? Also, if you go to another place, mind taking a picture of the bread basket? I’m curious about bread. Too bad about the desserts.
The last time I went out to eat, in Brooklyn, was when I went to the pizzeria on Ave U that’s right by Brennan and Carr with Adam. They have very good rice balls. mmmmmm
In Amherst: I went to Sully’s for some breakfast. HOLLLA!
<3
I really wanted to take a pic of the bread selection but he was just carrying it around. I even brought my point and shoot because I was scared to bring the big one…and it rained.
We’re doing Brooklyn pizza tour this week! I want a rice ball!
Definitely get a rice ball. They’re so good.
Yay for restaurant week! They must do this a lot or time is just really flying by. I feel like I just saw restaurant week on your blog!
It happens twice, in the winter and the summer!
Wow, even though you didn’t care for it I’d LOVE some mango sorbet right now.
the hen is trying to run away – maybe it heard that nathan shot dogs.