Rick's Roadshow in New York: Dinner at Nobu

Welcome to another edition of Rick's Roadshow! My travels have taken me to New York City for a few days. When I was in my early twenties, I lived in New York and was always out and about enjoying city life and exploring the town. Now, when I return to NY, I tend to see a different side of Manhattan than I used to see when I was fresh out of school and just starting my career. These days I like to travel by limo when I'm making multiple stops around the city. It's a whole lot easier than trying to park and hail taxis with shopping bags.
Dinner at Nobu

Nobu "Fifty Seven" is a famous restaurant in New York featuring Japanese cuisine of the legendary chef Nobu Matsuhisa. In addition to Chef Nobu, one of his business partners is the Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro. Bobby wasn't at Nobu last night, but he has been seen at the bar often. There are several Nobu locations, but this "Fifty Seven" location (refering to being on 57th Street) is designed with modern Asian styles, using abalone shell chandeliers, bamboo stalks in terrazzo tiles, ash tables and Japanese quilt fabric. Behind the bar there are huge Japanese Sake barrels hanging fromthe ceiling, which you can see as you walk upstairs to the dining room. The bar has deep rich tone woods, rich colors and plenty of intimate lighting that makes ths restaurant a favorite among New Yorkers and visitors alike.

above: The Palm Springs Savant takes Manhattan by storm...with a Cosmopolitan martini, of course!

above: The Japanese chefs are busy preparing sushi at Nobu
Dinner Was Delicious!

We had a variety of different dishes over the course of the evening:
Toro Tartar with Caviar

Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing
Kumamoto Oysters with Maui Onion Salsa
Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño
Watercress Rock Shrimp Salad
Rock Shrimp or Scallops with Yuzu Sauce Lime Stone Lettuce

Rock Shrimp Tempura with Ponzu Sauce

King Crab Tempura "Amazu" Sweet Ponzu

Black Cod with Miso

Kobe Beef Toban Yaki

Then The Fabulous Desserts

above: "Cecca": Baby chocolate cream puff in a Marsala wine cream, kuromitsu, and wood-smoked ice cream

Milk Chocolate Yuzu Cake: Layers of praline crunch and hazelnut ice cream
Banana Caramel Soy Toban Yaki: Soy sauce caramelized bananas with roasted pecans and Malaga ice cream

Kama Meshi: Vanilla rice pudding, Catalan cream ice cream and puffed soba

And Then A Swank After Party for Good Measure...

Above left: We went to a private party at The Essex Hotel, I loved the huge fern centerpiece in the lobby. Above right: The lobby was really elegant and contempory, yet still had a classic look.

above: The party was held in the ballroom, with a live band, dancing and delicious cocktails! The center of the tables had fresh rose petals with votive candles- simple yet elegant!

It was a fun evening...but the big weekend has only just begun. Stay tuned tomorrow for coverage of the Saturday Evening Black Tie Event...shhhh it's a surprise.

-Rick Rockhill