425 PARK AVENUE JEAN GEORGES

Let’s start by stating “Once you go Jean Georges you never go back”. The journey started before we walked through the doors…meaning it was a mini process to find the doors. You question if you are at the right address despite what the maps says because it does not look like your typical restaurant on the outside. Lately I have been loving the “Catch Me If You Can” type of spaces, somehow…I feel more safe. Jean Georges is the greatest feature of one of the newest skyscrapers uptown, home to one of most respected financial firms. The foster+partners designed building houses many works of art by Sol LeWitt, Yayoi Kusama, Anthony James, Larry Poonz and more… making the space even more alluring.

When you walk in and see the space you soon realize you are in fact in the right place. You are immediately overwhelmed by the abundance of velvety Red. The red chosen in the design of the space looks expensive, no better way to say it. You look up and see what just may be the main cantilever structured dining space above you. And ofcourse, the best feature of them all. You are greated by 3 beautiful darlings with the most genuine smiles..like they just got done laughing at a good joke. You feel seen, welcomed and so ready for what this place has to offer. Ofcourse we had to be the guests who started with pictures and drinks at the bar sitting in front of a larger than life size painting by Larry Poonz as the bar’s backdrop. The painting is such a wonderful contrast to the classic yet uniquely designed space. It ties in all the colors of the bottles and creates a kinetic feast for your eyes. Thank you Ian for mixing us up the best Ginger Margarita and Espresso martini. We enjoyed watching the process of him making the drinks and the mixology twist to two of our favorite drinks. I am usually a wine girly so when I go out I try elevated cocktail mixes from the best.

The MD Kesi and host Jarlyn was kind enough to get shots of us entering the dining room. You get the option to take the elevator if you please but I would suggest you take the stairs and experience the grand entrance. You feel like it is your show, your reveal, your moment as you walk up anticipating just how beautiful the space will be. At the top of the stairs you immediately notice an ambient center piece of mini orb lights on the ceiling creating the illusion of stars making the lighting magical, warm and romantic. To your left is THE SHOW, a stunning, pristine and busy kitchen starring Chef @jonathanbenno for you to see every dish being made, lined up and served out to you eloquently. On the right is the dining room where I could imagine every guests would like to point and pick their table to enjoy the show, a celebration or a business meeting. The hosts were kind enough to give me my table request and promptly the team makes you feel at home and so exited for one of the best dining experiences you will ever have.

As soon as you seat you feel the energy of regalia, wealth, presidential energy, power, classic and a hint of nostalgia. You can’t help but to look around again, noticing the beautiful sunlight coming in from the west and north facing floor to ceiling windows. It’s like a huge soft box for the picture perfect moments. Thank you Dymytryo, Brooke and Brittany for an another warm welcome at the table and providing the best most poised, personable, fun and very informative service. I cannot express enough how top tier the service is. You can tell everyone is trained well but even more important they choose genuine people with warm personalities who enjoys what they do.

Now let’s get to the FOOD. Trigger warning. If you take a loved one to Jean Georges…new taste buds will be Unlocked and they will forever be another bougie friend who will take too long figuring out what they want to eat for dinner. I grew up eating the best soul food from my mom and Jamaican food from both my mom and step dad. During college between dates and a group of friends from all food backgrounds I developed a diverse range of taste buds and cooking techniques. With that being said I am not stranger to flavor but JG made me see flavor differently. I was always the kind of cook who loved to mix EVERYTHING together. The more complex the ingredients and seasonings the better. But I had the pleasure of tasting refined fine dining. JG’s signature is clean, every dish is a mini art piece of focused flavors without overpowering and over complicating to prove a point. The focus of the choosen very fresh top of the line ingredients and the orchestra of the flavors speaks for itself. The dishes had the perfect balance of all the elements..crisp freshness of the vegetables, sauce, crunch, heat, cream and moments a sweetness. Thank you chef for all of the compliments! See the dishes we had in the comments!

Thank you managers Yamil and Laetitia who came to our table to ensure everything was going lovely and we are having the best birthday for my date. He told me it was the best date he has ever been on. Ofcourse I knew that, and that is why I choose to bring him here. I wanted him to feel like even more of the king he already is. With that being said! 425 Park Avenue JG is NOT the place you take the first date to lol you take THE ONE to this place, ofcourse family, friends and business. You take your lady here, she is going to think you are proposing soon. This will definitely be the most long winded review I will ever right but it is more personal not paid and I wanted to invite you into the experience with words. I used to make fun of fine dining/portion sizes and the idea of it all but…I GET IT and will forever be changed. Thank you team! Wishing you all the success to come your way.

Highlight Of The Menu: The chef sent out many compliments and we are so gracious for that. Everything showed us the vast possibilities in flavors. My personal favorite was the Fluke Tartare. It was a pleasant surprise! For me, it was like chefs “Aha Moment” where you receive a random surprise that cleanses your palate and shows you why this chef/restaurant is unique, what mastering your craft looks like, what painting with flavors tastes like. The plates look like mini art installations, but the entire point of fine dining from entering the building, to being recieved by the very best, most professional/attentive/personable team, to the atmosphere created through decor and the way you are instantly inspired by flavor is…paramount. Cheers to much more success @chefjgv 🥂