dec 2, day 4 - aquavit

dec 2, day 4
Originally uploaded by bluepupae.

one of the best places that i have eaten in new york and anywhere else i have been is aquavit. i thoroughly enjoyed the experience, including the great service, low but not too low lighting, clean but comfortable interiors, and of course the delicious food.

having arrived early for our dinner reservation, we went to the lounge area next to the bar to partake of their aquavits. from the latin aqua vitae, meaning "water of life", an aquavit is a Scandinavian drink distilled from potatoes or grain that is 40% alcohol and often flavored with herbs. i had a cocktail made from lychee flavored aquavit, lychee, kalamansi lime juice. mike had a grapefruit lemongrass mojito made with grapefruit lemongrass aquavit. both were really good. i could drink those all night, but of course, i'd be in bed with a headache all the next day.

the chef sent a little tasting in a spoon for us that i can't remember what except that it was awesome and tasted like pork, but i think it was a more exotic meat like boar. i thought that was the amuse bouche until they sent that out...this tiny stack of salmon, trout caviar on a creamy eggy disc and a small dollop of egg dressing. mmm....