Ger-Nis INTERNATIONAL, LLC

New/Notable Restaurants

Blue Hill, NYC
75 washington Place
New York, NY 10011
12-539-1776
http://www.bluehillnyc.rr.com

We have been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to review Blue Hill for quite awhile. Originally, we planned to venture up north and visit Blue Hill’s farm location, but like most New Yorkers, our ambitions exceeded our available time. Instead, we were equally pleased to be able to review Blue Hill in the city.

As with all of our restaurant choices, we try not to read other reviews of other until after we have experienced the restaurant for ourselves. When we did look at reviews for Blue Hill, we were intrigued to find so many different and widely varying write-ups on everything from the ambiance, to the location, to the patrons at the tables. One element that all of the reviews had in common was that the food is not only spectacularly good, but it also has the most amazing freshness. We were captivated by the freshness of each bite from the beginning of every dish to the end of it. The freshness seemed especially notable given the fact that we were dining at the restaurant’s city location and not out on the farm. Enjoying the meal in the city really emphasized the accomplishments of the farmers and the chef. The dishes are simple, vibrant and Blue Hill places the food at the center of the overall experience. The food is the star of the show as indeed it should be.

The ambiance and the service were the first highlight of the night. We made table reservations but when a few last minute guests decided to join us, we opted to sit at the L-shaped bar. The barstools were more comfortable than most; actually, they were high cushioned chairs. The comfort of the barstools is often overlooked at high end eateries. The bar is placed in the entry of the location and made for a much more casual dining experience. The placement of the bar gives Blue Hill patrons more opportunity for a diverse dining experience. We felt free to converse and enjoy our company without worrying that our voices would carry throughout the restaurant.

As we looked around, the rest of the place was nice, charming and simple. Although it is small, the space was actually much roomier than what we expected. The tables were not crammed together and the arrangement seemed to offer patrons enough space regardless of where they sat. It did not seem too quiet nor too loud. The bartender, who was also our server, was attentive but not overly so and just as informed on the food and the tastes as any other server. The ambiance was lovely; it allowed us to focus on the food and on each other. For us, it was perfect.

The food, wine and drinks were exquisite. They all had an ultimate freshness that surpassed our already high expectation. The fresh summer peas that were prevalent in many of our dishes were the easy winner for all of us. Although the peas figured prominently, they were utilized in varying and surprising forms throughout the courses. The pea burger aperitif was a delectable amuse-bouch that left our taste buds wanting more. The mini cornbread that the pea burger sat in was sweet and clearly baked with Blue Hill’s signature lardo, another common ingredient throughout the meal. The Maine crabmeat appetizer was fresh and light. It allowed for the taste of the crab to be front and center and was not overpowered by any of the accompanying ingredients. The crab sat atop a crunchy, tangy cabbage slaw and a mustard apple broth that added a hint of sweetness to the entire dish. It was extremely fresh and simple tasting despite the many ingredients. The Berkshire pork entree was a marriage of thick and juicy slices of salty pork on a bed of fresh peas, pea puree, morels and pistachios. The vibrant green of the peas was proof enough that we were not only eating something good for our pallets but good for our bodies as well. The ricotta soufflé with honey ice cream showed off the freshness of Blue Hill’s eggs. It was warm, light, fluffy and a perfect pairing (both visually and in flavor) to the glass of ten year old Glenmorangie scotch that we had--neat, of course.

The other dishes enjoyed by our party ranged from fish to chicken to the tasting menu. All were amazing in freshness and vibrancy. Again, the taste of the ingredients was delectable, and we could not get past how good it felt to put these amazing ingredients into our bodies and enjoy the flavor along the way. We had an amazing fresh rhubarb jalapeno margarita that was the epitome of delight. We also tasted several different scotches that ranged from smoky to smooth. The wine list was diverse, thorough and offered many wines by the glass as well. Not offering wine by the glass is frequently one of our criticisms when reviewing restaurants. We would like to see more sustainable wines offered or displayed at Blue Hill because many wines are either not sustainable or were not advertised as such. Other than that, we really have nothing we can complain about. We highly recommend this delight in the city, and we cannot wait to visit the farm location. We commend Blue Hill for its dedication to local and sustainable food and for preparing it for us in a way that is truly mouthwatering.

4 of 5 herbs