Cuisine:

• French
• Italian
• Contemporary

L'Escalier at the Florentine Room Description:
Palatial luxury sparkles beneath the crystal drops of many-shaded chandeliers. But where once only the level of cuisine and service seemed to reach beyond the startling altitude of the ceiling, now we're just not as easily wooed. The French-rooted cuisine, served as three-, five- and seven-course tasting menus in a dining room that can be as barren as the connecting bar is busy, can be just slightly less than utterly wonderful at times, and servers confuse courses---or forget them entirely---when the pace is slow. Nevertheless, quality still rules, from the bread basket to the amuse-bouches to the rolling Champagne and cheese carts, and in comparison to other regional and more youthful restaurants, L'Escalier will always be a grand dame. Luxe, seasonal ingredients may be found in dishes such as warm Hudson Valley foie gras with white chocolate, almonds, ginger, honey-citrus cake and Szechuan gastrique; striped bass with potato "risotto," caramelized fennel, baby clams, bouillabaisse gelée, squid ink emulsion and chorizo vinaigrette; and Prime New York strip au poivre. For dessert, those with a sweet tooth can't lose by choosing the "Key lime pie": tropical fruit compote, streusel, coconut meringue, cilantro syrup and graham cracker ice cream. The wine list boasts 700 selections up to a 1988 Romanée-Conti at $1,950, with other exquisite French and numerous California options.


Be the first one to rate and write a review for this L'Escalier at the Florentine Room restaurant!