My recent trip to New York City allowed me to partake of the Bon Appétit Supper Club and Café at the corner of 101 West 57th and 6th Avenue. In New York, vacant store fronts are taken over for promotions for a limited time. I remember going into this location last year as an airline had a big promotion showing off their new first class redux (check out the video below)
I was excited to see what this was all about, Bon Appétit Magazine, local products, celebrity chefs – how could it miss? It did, what a huge disappointment. I opted for Emeril Lagasse’s Shrimp Etouffée which was the daily special. I should have known better, it was in chaffing dishes and they just switched out the etouffée right when I was being served. I had a small spoonful of rice topped with the etouffée that was watery from being kept warm and sealed with aluminum foil and of course the four shrimp were overcooked. I know cooking and really should have known better than making that choice.
My brother-in-law opted for Cat Cora’s CCQ Brisket Wrap $8 and he didn’t seem all that impressed. There were lines for each category: soups, sandwiches, salads, daily specials and desserts. Coca Cola walked around outside the temporary restaurant with samples of their diet caffeine free coke and a winery was sampling their wine inside.
After waiting in enormous lines we were directed to the 2nd floor for additional seating that gave us a view of the corner but let’s face facts, it was a gussied up cafeteria. There was a flat screen showing what was going on in the demo kitchen downstairs but who could hear across the room.
My brother-in-law wanted to see the Emeril Lagasse live cooking demonstration which was set up facing an alcove that seated at the most 40 people and a good number of them being reserved. We asked if we could stand to the side or back and watch the demo and we were told no. So if we were delegated to seeing Emeril on a flat screen, might as well watch it in the comfort of your own home.
I would reconsider when they do the sit down dinners, I would think that is the best way to go but for the café I vote a big PASS! The only plus I saw is you can get the recipes to the majority of these dishes on the website
The original blog that started the Dining Examiner , Dining Dish is up for a Mobbie Award and I would love if you could show your love by voting it. One vote per day. Thanking you in advance....Dara (aka Dining Dish)
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