AfterTaste (by Sherry)

This has to be brief because I have to leave for work in about negative twenty minutes, but I had to put this out there.

Last night, my beloved culinary partner in crime, Zack, took me out for my birthday and I had one of the most phenomenal meals of my life. A bit belated, I know, but he more than made up for it with his persistent, relentless, stubborn refreshing on the Momofuku Ko website. The brand new restaurant that only opened to the public Wednesday, March 12, has no telephone in the restaurant (well I’m sure there’s one somewhere, but not in the front by the “hostess” station). They only accept reservations online at their website. They also only accept them one week in advance. Frustrating, sure, but at least it gives you a fighting chance of securing a rezzy before 2010.

So for my surprise birthday dinner, Zack took me to Momofuku Ko. I’d like to say ”for the tasting menu” (they slide a plate in front of you, briefly and sometimes gruffly explain what it is and you eat it, no questions asked), but that connotes other options. It is the only option, take it or leave it. We also ordered the accompanying wine pairing (pay additional for the pairing, but unlike the rest of the menu, it is not mandatory to do so). I had a sneaking suspicion he was taking me there, but only in that way where your wildest fantasy surfaces and an insane part of you believes that fantasy may actually come true. Rarely does it, but this time, despite his leading me east, then uptown, then east, then downtown, then east, then west, then back east, my suspicions were confirmed when we came upon the tiny, obscure door on First Avenue. The only indication of what lay behind is a tiny, plucky little peach in the center of the glass door.

No time to write the entire review right now, but I will be getting to it by the end of the day, believe you me. A preview: it was mind blowingly fantastic.

Don’t believe I actually went? Here’s proof:

PS -Did I mention Chang himself was there? He gave my camera a bit of a glare (or glance, not sure), but that’s okay. What a rock star.