Daniel (recession style)

A couple weeks ago I took advantage of the 15-year Anniversary Special at Daniel (aka: the recession special). For $98 you get a 3 course prix-fixe menu that includes wine pairings. Considering the regular prix-fixe menu is 3 courses without wine for $105 (and $165 with) that is a saving of $70 or over 40%.

Two catches though…. Its only available during the early-bird time of 5:30pm to 6:30pm on Monday through Thursday and the menu isn’t exactly the same as the usual prix-fixe menu they have the rest of the evening. Not to say the options were bad though.

I started with a ravioli dish that served with blank trumpet mushrooms, lomo (a cured ham from spain), and was served in a ridiculously delicious sauce. For my main I had the duo of dry aged beef, which is on their permanent menu as well. It was a wine braised short rib and a seared rib eye. Each one of them on their own could have stood up on a tasting menu so getting both was like a 2-for-1 deal. The short rib was the winner on the plate for sure and I think they have gotten awards for this dish in the past. One of my friends got the lamb chop (also on their regular menu) which was great and another got the black sea bass with syrah sauce (also on their regular menu) which was just okay. I did like how they served it with a syrah sauce which helped to pair it better with the wine.

Desserts were pretty good as well, but I don’t remember them off hand. They had 4 options and we tried all of them. I believe I liked the one with violets or lavender the best followed by the chocolaty one.

The nice touch of it all was that even though we were paying for the cheap seats we still got the full Daniel treatment with the amuse course, petit fours, and macaroons. And the service was stellar. Probably some of the best service I have had in a long time. Just the right amount of attention, but not enough it became overbearing. And I liked how the head waiter had a sense of humor and didn’t speak to me like I was my parents age. The ladies liked how they had little pedestals for their purses.

Overall, this place ranks pretty high up there in terms of upscale dining. For the price range it is the better than most I have had and I wouldn’t mind going back sometime to try their tasting menu when I am in the mood for a good splurge.

Daniel
60 East 65th Street (near Madison Avenue)
New York, NY 10021
212-288-0033