Last night I found out there is a God. And that God's name is Chef Michael White, chef/co-owner of Marea, the new Italian seafood restaurant on Central Park South. In what used to house San Domenico, is now a beautiful space with mind-blowing food. I had an amazing meal from Chef White at Alto last year, so I knew I was in for a treat. I told him to choose all the courses, putting my culinary fate in his hands. And by the end of the meal I was basically in Heaven. Here we go...
I love oysters. I've been eating them for around 28 out of my 29 years, (surprisingly, I wasn't that good at slurping from age 0-1) and I'm telling you the oysters ($3.50each) I had at Marea were the BEST I've ever had!
Ricci ($14), sea urchin, lardo, and sea salt crostini gave me a nice orgasm, early in the meal, but much appreciated. Amazing.
A tasting of Marea's crudo was so perfect, calling it perfect would be an understatement. Each bite was whimsical. I almost-I did begin to tear.
Passera ($15), Long Island fluke, lemon thyme, ligurian olive oil, Capesante ($16), scallop, orange, wild fennel, arugula, and Tonno ($16), bigeye tuna, oyster crema, crispy artichokes.
A tasting of Marea's crudo was so perfect, calling it perfect would be an understatement. Each bite was whimsical. I almost-I did begin to tear.
Passera ($15), Long Island fluke, lemon thyme, ligurian olive oil, Capesante ($16), scallop, orange, wild fennel, arugula, and Tonno ($16), bigeye tuna, oyster crema, crispy artichokes.
Lancia ($18), blue marlin, sturgeon caviar, mussel vinaigrette, and Vongole ($17, geoduck clam, fresh chilies, lemon.
An amuse bouche of a puree with shrimp and a crispy parsnip tickled and teased my palate ever so simply and beautifully.
Then came the Astice ($24), nova scotia lobster, burrata, eggplant al funghetto, basil. This was my new friend, such a pleasure meeting, I wanted to hang out with him all night long. This dish I will never forget. Unbelievable! At this point of the meal I could almost see the light.
Alas, it was time for the pasta courses.
Ferratini ($28), with manila clams, calamari, and hot chilies was linguini with clams taken to another level. The most perfectly cooked pasta, with the freshest seafood, and a kick from the chilies, tugged on the strings of my heart. I was falling in love. I could have sworn that an Elton John song was about to start playing.
If I hadn't fallen in love after the Ferratini, then after this next dish, I was about to go down the block to Tiffanys and Harry Winston and get 4-carats.
Fusilli ($28), with red wine braised octopus, and bone marrow, was sweet, tasty, and like my dream girl. I wanted to take it home right then and there. This dish was phenomenal.
A Branzino ($36), wild striped bass, brocolli rabe, lentils, and carmelized onion, was pitch-perfect fantastic.
I believe in true love. I agree with the Beatles when they say "All you need is Love." But until I find that one true love, Marea is all I need. I suggest you go soon too, you might not fall in love, but you'll definitely have some culinary orgasms with some heavenly food.
Marea
240 Central Park South (bet. Broadway and 7th Ave)
New York, NY 10019
212-582-5100
www.marea-nyc.com