Shout Out Daniel

Pictures courtesy of the New York Times

Congratulations to restaurant Daniel for receiving four stars from picky food critic, Frank Bruni. Here is the article that was in the New York Times: Four Stars for Daniel


"Maybe because Daniel has the smarts to finish strong, presenting an unusually broad and exceptionally fine dessert selection, about half of it devoted, in a manner you could almost call populist, to chocolate in various forms, with various partners.

The other half is fruity, and maybe even better, the pastry chef Dominique Ansel adds brush stroke upon brush stroke to these colorful works of art. Cilantro-poached pineapple was joined by not only coconut ganache and coconut cream but also coconut meringue, a coconut sablé and a piña colada sorbet. It was a Bahamian beach vacation on a plate."



I had a chance to try the pineapple dessert Bruni is talking about while I was visiting a good friend there and it was absolutely delicious. Light on the palate yet big on flavor, it was just so right. Truly it was "a Bahamian beach vacation on a plate". I did my pastry externship at Daniel and I think they have the best desserts in NYC a long with their madeleines and petit fours (please excuse the crappy photo I took with my phone). I'm not being biased. The pastry chef there, Chef Dominique Ansel, is both imaginative and thoughtful in his creations. He is never afraid to explore different flavors and his execution is perfect. He doesn't get the fame that he deserves. Then again not all the big chefs out there are in it for the glitz and glamour. Some actually like to cook.

Check out Daniel's website. Look at the pictures. Peruse the menus. Call. Make reservations. You will not be sorry. It was one of the best meals of my life.