BRASSERIE 8 1/2 CELEBRATES DINING WEEK

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ANN WATT'S DINING

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BRASSERIE 8 1/2

9 West 57th St

New York City

Tel: 212-829-0812

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Brasserie 8 ½ Lounge

Crispy Zucchini Blossom (Peekytoe Crab, Avocado, Roasted Corn)

“Eat Famously” … NYC Restaurant Week is being extended through Labor Day. This is a perfect opportunity to try out some new restaurants… So I visited Brasserie 8 1/2 for lunch with my dear friend Fred E. Grossman. Three-Course Prix Lunch $24.07 / Dinner $35.00 (beverages, gratuities and taxes not included.) The regular menu is a bit pricey but filled with lots of tasty options.You may recall Brasserie 8 1/2 being referenced to on Sex and the City as "everyone was dressed to the nines at Brasserie 8 ½ ". This restaurant also draws celebs, a friend witnessed Bill Clinton and his entourage dining.Brasserie 8 ½ is located on West 57th Street between 5th-6th Avenue - you can’t miss the big “9” sculpture and just behind the 9 you’ll find the restaurant. Through the rotating doors there is a lovely hostess there to greet and assist you before you descend down the large curved staircase leading to the spacious dining area. A very relaxing feel and a great lounge area awaits with a smoking-section bar and a non-smoking section bar, as well as a large stained-glass sculpture apparently modeled on a design by Fernard Léger. The big comfy booths are roomy enough to comfortably sit three across! The French inspired menu is very creative. A+ for food taste and presentation. I started with a beautifully presented Shaved Yellow Watermelon Salad, Black Olive, Feta Cheese, Fred shared with me his Tempura Zucchini Blossom Maine lobster, roasted corn relish, avocado with baby carrots. We followed with Grilled Diver Sea Scallops arugula, piquillo peppers, potato gaufrette, orange-miso vinaigrette and Seared Ahi Tuna, Jasmine Rice, Scallions, Pappaya. I couldn’t make up my mind which dessert to indulge myself with, so I ordered Rich Chocolate Cake, Crème Anglaise and Lemon-lime Chiffon Tart - Marshmallow, Triple Berry Sauce to share with Fred. We loved our lunch and the service was attentive and gracious.I will definitely be back for the weekend fabulous BRUNCH. An all-you-can-eat $29 buffet is served from 11AM-3PM and includes one drink plus an upscale bountiful spread of the usual smoked salmon, omelets station, crepe station, fruits, and amazing desserts. They change the menu for each season with a deliciously inventive approach to everything -- I will return with friends.