I dropped by Respite Friday to meet friends, and ended up with some unique and flavorful bites at this "cocktail lounge with worldly flavors". The chef has worked with Thomas Keller, and it's a little gem of a place.

Take a scallop ceviche with ginger papaya puree and macadamia nuts. The sweetness of the puree plays with the sweetness of the scallop, the macadamia give a nice crunch.

Ever eat a chilled oyster with basil caviar, mango sorbet, and a Sriracha mignonette? That's how they serve it at Respite. I like my oysters plain, but this unique take is surely refreshing.

Tasmanian Sea Trout comes served with Vidalia onion stuffed with French lentil mirepoix, and Rose champagne. Some more unique flavors, a sweet dish.

For dessert, coconut-masrcapone panna cotta with champagne poached Asian pears, persimmon, in a saffron-lemongrass broth, took my taste buds to a land they have not been to before. A flavor profile that was again, unique, both sweet and floral, each spoonful elevating my culinary horizon.

So grab a cocktail and your worldly flavors at Respite, and leave your troubles behind.

Respite
247 E. 50th Street (bet. 2nd and 3rd)
New York, NY 10022

212-755-2470