Newbie Foodies: No Shades of Grey at Sel et Poivre

Sel et Poivre: Crab Cakes with Ginger Sauce

Sel et Poivre was our first Press Dinner 3 years ago when we were a Newbie NewbieFoodies.com. It remained one of my all time favorites throughout the years. I rarely visit the Upper East Side, but when I do I make sure to stop by and check in. When I was contacted about doing another dinner I was thrilled to have a reason to force me over there and have yet another lovely meal.

We started the evening with a small tasting of the Crab Cakes with Ginger Sauce appetizer and I let Christian select the wine to accompany as he has yet to steer me wrong with his choice of pairings. Appetite whetted, I dug into the Asparagus Soup which was surprisingly light since they use potato paste in lieu of the traditional cream.

Sel et Poivre: Asparagus Soup

I was delighted to see their Skate on the tasting menu, since after the first taste 3 years ago I have ordered Skate at fine restaurants all around this town and found everything paled in comparison. I really hyped it up in my imagination over time, but tonight proved that it was every bit as perfect as I had remembered.

Sel et Poivre: Skate Fish with Lemon Butter

For the meat course we enjoyed a lovely cut of pork chops served with onions and apples is a Calvados sauce (apple brandy) accompanied by a side of roast potatoes. Normally I go savory OR sweet with pork chops, but this was a delightful mix of both.

Sel et Poivre: Pork Chops with Calvados Sauce
and Roasted Potatoes

Finally, our meal ended with the perfect profiterole. Not cloyingly over sweet or too dense like so many others you find, it was perfectly balanced.

Sel et Poivre: Profiteroles

I am still absolutely smitten with Sel et Poivre and need to make a conscious effort to go out of my way to come here more often. In particular, I'd love to come for their annual game festival (this week!) and to try their frog legs and escargot.