Here at New York Food Tours, we’re always looking out for great deals to recommend to you! In the last few months, we’ve checked out some of the city’s top establishments. And based on food, ambiance, service and value-for-money, we’ve decided to tell you about high-end restaurant, Jean Georges.

We loved Jean Georges. With four stars from The New York Times, this place should be on everyone’s “to-eat” list. Jean Georges is almost a popular culture icon with characters from television shows like Friends, Gossip Girl and Sex and the City all vying for a coveted seat.

We went for the very affordable two-course prix fixe lunch. At $32, the meal is a steal. Dinner often costs at least three times as much.

To start, we had an amuse bouche including a crispy rice cake with smoked trout, and a candied beet with fresh grated wasabi and ricotta. The rice cake was crisp on the outside and soft within so the silky trout was a wonderful textural complement. The candied beet was intensely sweet. With the heat of the wasabi and mild ricotta, it was a perfectly balanced mouthful.

One of the first course options was a peekytoe crab salad with mango and chilli sabayon. With a 2:1 ratio of crab to ginger, the dish packed serious bite. But the ripe mangoes and creamy sabayon saved the spice from being overpowering.

Next, we sampled a dish of sweetbreads, pear and liquorice. Perfectly cooked and tender, the main was simple but thoughtfully prepared. The liquorice was mild enough to please even those who do not usually like anise flavors. We also tasted the slow cooked salmon with black truffle crust. We requested it medium rare and the fish arrived appropriately coral-colored and melting in the center. The smooth parsnip puree and crunchy parsnip crisps that came alongside were equally impressive.

Although desserts are not part of the lunch set, we decided to indulge. And we were glad we did. The sweets were just as well-executed as the items on the savory menu. Our standout favorite was the salted caramel and chocolate tart. The gooey confection was paired with an espresso and dark caramel ice-cream that was not at all cloying.

But even if you decide not to have dessert, don’t worry! The restaurant won’t let you leave without some petit fours. Fragrant lavender macaroons and plush marshmallows, sniped into squares right at the table, are delivered to all diners. Also, you get a plate of chocolates. You’ll have to share with your table so if you can only pick one, go for the piece with Jean-Georges’ initials, JG, printed on top. It is flavored with smoky souchong tea and is truly unique. The perfect way to end your meal at one of New York’s best dining establishments.

Join New York Food Tours on one of our guided expeditions, you will sample at least six different tastings while touring a historic neighborhood with a licensed tour guide at one low price. What better deal can you get? We’re always doing more research to update our programs. Once you’ve been on an outing with us, you’ll recognize the local haunts.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 4th, 2011 at 10:17 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.