Orsay Restuarant                        Rating *****  Excellent         March 8, 2012
1057 Lexington Ave.                  By:  Baron Corso von Habsburg
Tel.212 517 6400

French Cuisine
A Place Where French Traditions Enhance The Great Flavors of French Cuisine


 I was born a titled Baron to Spanish Barons of the Royal Spanish House of Habsburg.I was born to have and to enjoy the most excellent bounty of food in the most prestigious restaurants of the world.  

On a recent warm sunny afternoon in March I decided to have lunch at a French restuarant  in New York City  .Of the many restaurants in the area offering great eats Orsay restuarant stands out most impressively.  Orsay is a brasserie synonymous with classic french bistro fare. The very popular East Side restuarant designed by Jean Denoyer is a culinary etoile par excellence. The A rating it received from the city, plus the  significant world chefs and celebrities that dine there,  and the attention to traditons and details from owners and management, about food freshness, presentations and commitment to excellent service, attest to its status as one of the ten best eateries for fine French cuisine.  Managers are of the most professional kind here, Monsieurs: Jean Pierre Lauret and Olivier Lavielle make every patron feel like family with their gracious and happy demeanor when they meet you.

When you enter the restaurant a beautiful laid out mosaic tile floor fans out to create a soothoing effect that extends to the bar area and main dining room. the ambiance is genteel, cheery and distinctively french.  A very handsome and well appointed pewter topped bar, with a mirrored back wall and traditional wooded stools  provides a comfortable setting to enjoy some exciting libation like a great Sancerre or a fine Cote du Rhone Chappoutier red.  Fine crystal ceiling chandelliers and art noveau lighting wall sconces imported from France  and arched colonaded walls add a real touch of francophile scene. The dining room is sohisticated, warm and spacious with white cloth tables and dark wood and leather chairs.  And beautiful cut flowers, and a well  accented  male waitstaff add a to the tradional color.  An upstairs Banquet room iwith dark mahagony pannels and fireplce is available for private entertainment with seating capacity for about 70 people.

Whether it is said with a continental flare ,or a New York accent,  Orsay  offers excellent french cuisine and wine for lunch and dinner. A place where french traditions enhance french cuisine with all its authentic culinary glory.  Great tasting appetizzers are God sent and abound here.  a rolling trolley car offers wonderful amuche bouche selections and other good food.  For starters try a classic French onion soup.  Or go for the Cod Fish with Mache  Greens served with warm fingerling potatoes in a saffron sauce, my favorite ; or have the  Burgundy Escargot misted with pastis. Or  the Omellette with goat cheese and mushrooms, or a Quiche Lorraine with bacon and Gruyere cheese.  No matter what you have you'll be greatly surprised by the wonderful and authentic  flavors  The Menu is well put together in a traditional style :  Grilled Hangar Steak in a Bordelaise sauce with fries is a standout.  Or try the Farm Chicken with with mashed potatoes and natural Jus for great french country flavor. Or go for the Oregon-grass fed Burger--a lucious orb of beef hand formed and cooked to a juicy and savory perfection. Served with bluecheese or Swiss,  and slightly salted French fries,  make it the ideal side for this Imperial burger.

Befitting a French Brasserie,  Orsay restaurant features the Croque Monsieur, the real deal here --with fluffy toasted bread, creamy mornay or bechamel sauce, and slices of country ham and a perfectly broiled deliciously crunchy crust of tangy but not overwhelmingly Swiss cheese makes this also an ideal french meal. And not to be missed, for the carnivores out there,  on Wednesday every week, a luscious 14 oz prime-rib, carved at table side is offereRoasted d for dinner.  
A well stocked wine cellar with a great selection of wines are avaible to accompany any meal:
A beautiful sidewalk terrace is available when whether permits.  And don't be surprissed if you see Hollywood and world luminaries and  world famous French chef, Eric Ripert, dining there.  As he was when I recently had lunch there. 

If you have room for dessert order the Apple Tarte Tartin with Creme Fraiche.   Or savor to your hearts delight the Floating Island: Merringue, Creme Anglaise, Caramel sauce, topped with Toasted Almonds.  It is as light as a feather and soo good. If you are fortunate,   managers, Jean Pierre Lauret, and Olivier Lavielle may visit your table and toast to you with a complimentary house wine.  I found myself enjoying two  great wines  compliments of the house, a great Sancerre and a Cabernet Sauvignon.    I ended my lunch with the Alcazar Coffee made of Liqueor 43, and Light Bacardi Rum that was beautifully powerful and had me spinning like a whirling dervish.    Dining at Orsay restaurant takes me back to my days in Paris and France.  A real delightful voyage where the culinary traditions of excellent French cuisine, and great professional human warmth remain ever so present at Orsay.

 Rating *****  Excellent

Baron Corso de Palenzuela von Habsburg is an international food,wine,beer,and chocolate critic and connoisseur who has written extensively on international wine and cuisine. He resides in Virginia, New York, and Spain and can be reached at 845 706-1244        March,8 2012