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Koi Restaurant - New York
By Doug Singer
The Bryant Park Hotel, one of Manhattan’s foremost luxury destinations is also home to a remarkable restaurant, Koi. Japanese for “love”, this contemporary space is creatively carved into three levels and boasts a real Koi pond set into the floor. The sister site to L.A.’s famed celebrity magnet, Koi New York is no slacker. With fans that include Lindsay Lohan, Gisele Bündchen, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jessica Alba, Koi is a place to be seen.
Incorporating feng shui elements with a sweeping white lattice canopy that arches clear across the elevated ceiling and cleverly resembles a fish net that has captured the Koi logo, the drama captured in the design fundamentals is front and center. Showcasing minimalist dark wood furniture, earth tones, bamboo accents and leather banquettes set against a lush garden landscape, the stage is set for an experience to remember.
We started by exploring the cocktail menu. The Tangerine Cosmo (Grey Goose Orange, fresh lime, fresh OJ and a dash of cranberry) and the Cucumber Martini (Tanqueray gin, muddled cucumber and fresh lemon) were expertly prepared and a delicious way to ignite our appetites.
With some steam burned off of our hectic Manhattan day, we slid into the glove-leather booth and breached the menu to find an eclectic mix of fish, steak and sushi. The chef's fusion of Japanese and Californian cuisine is spot on. We took the first step with the traditional (perfectly salty and hot) edamame before digging into the good stuff.
Koi’s Hamachi Fusion (yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno slices and wasabi yuzu truffle sauce) is something that I could have spent the entire evening eating, but there was much to explore. So we moved on and next we marched to the beat of the Crispy Rice (topped with spicy tuna). This was extremely unique. Much like the consistency of a chewy granola bar, this is clearly Koi’s signature and most popular dish. Next up was the Rock Shrimp Ceviche and Yellowtail Sashimi (w/ shiso pesto), Spicy Seared Albacore (with sriracha, crispy red onions and ponzu sauce) and the Seared Tuna Sashimi (seared with a thinly sliced jalapeno, garlic chips and micro-greens). All were delicious, unique and satisfying, but it was the delivery of the Salmon Carpaccio (with black truffle shavings and ponzu sauce) that almost knocked me off of my seat.
An excellent selection of sake from their extensive menu helped me to regain my composure, as it was now time to change the pace and journey into the hot side of the menu. The Kobe Style Potstickers with ponzu dipping sauce made their way onto our table and were greeted with enthusiasm. Sadly, they disappeared rather quickly, but the delivery of the perfectly executed Miso Bronzed Black Cod (served with asparagus, Swiss chard and baby carrots) and the Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura (set atop endive leaves) dissipated our tears and our attention shifted as quickly as an infant with a shiny object.
Everything making its way out of the kitchen was impressively prepared with many original twists, but the pièce de résistance was certainly the Spiced Braised Short Ribs. Served with a wasabi cauliflower purée, shitake mushrooms, drizzled with a plum wine reduction and showered with wasabi coated sesame seeds; this dish did a pirouette on my palette and was nothing short of perfection.
KOI offers their patrons Japanese-inspired cuisine with New York accents in a sleek, sexy environment. This is dining with superior freshness and clarity, set amidst an ultra-hip venue that is a cornerstone of the New York party scene.
Koi New York at Bryant Park Hotel
40 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
212.921.3330
www.koirestaurant.com/new_york-bryant_park
The Bryant Park Hotel, one of Manhattan’s foremost luxury destinations is also home to a remarkable restaurant, Koi. Japanese for “love”, this contemporary space is creatively carved into three levels and boasts a real Koi pond set into the floor. The sister site to L.A.’s famed celebrity magnet, Koi New York is no slacker. With fans that include Lindsay Lohan, Gisele Bündchen, Mark Wahlberg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jessica Alba, Koi is a place to be seen.
Incorporating feng shui elements with a sweeping white lattice canopy that arches clear across the elevated ceiling and cleverly resembles a fish net that has captured the Koi logo, the drama captured in the design fundamentals is front and center. Showcasing minimalist dark wood furniture, earth tones, bamboo accents and leather banquettes set against a lush garden landscape, the stage is set for an experience to remember.
We started by exploring the cocktail menu. The Tangerine Cosmo (Grey Goose Orange, fresh lime, fresh OJ and a dash of cranberry) and the Cucumber Martini (Tanqueray gin, muddled cucumber and fresh lemon) were expertly prepared and a delicious way to ignite our appetites.
With some steam burned off of our hectic Manhattan day, we slid into the glove-leather booth and breached the menu to find an eclectic mix of fish, steak and sushi. The chef's fusion of Japanese and Californian cuisine is spot on. We took the first step with the traditional (perfectly salty and hot) edamame before digging into the good stuff.
Koi’s Hamachi Fusion (yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno slices and wasabi yuzu truffle sauce) is something that I could have spent the entire evening eating, but there was much to explore. So we moved on and next we marched to the beat of the Crispy Rice (topped with spicy tuna). This was extremely unique. Much like the consistency of a chewy granola bar, this is clearly Koi’s signature and most popular dish. Next up was the Rock Shrimp Ceviche and Yellowtail Sashimi (w/ shiso pesto), Spicy Seared Albacore (with sriracha, crispy red onions and ponzu sauce) and the Seared Tuna Sashimi (seared with a thinly sliced jalapeno, garlic chips and micro-greens). All were delicious, unique and satisfying, but it was the delivery of the Salmon Carpaccio (with black truffle shavings and ponzu sauce) that almost knocked me off of my seat.
An excellent selection of sake from their extensive menu helped me to regain my composure, as it was now time to change the pace and journey into the hot side of the menu. The Kobe Style Potstickers with ponzu dipping sauce made their way onto our table and were greeted with enthusiasm. Sadly, they disappeared rather quickly, but the delivery of the perfectly executed Miso Bronzed Black Cod (served with asparagus, Swiss chard and baby carrots) and the Crispy Rock Shrimp Tempura (set atop endive leaves) dissipated our tears and our attention shifted as quickly as an infant with a shiny object.
Everything making its way out of the kitchen was impressively prepared with many original twists, but the pièce de résistance was certainly the Spiced Braised Short Ribs. Served with a wasabi cauliflower purée, shitake mushrooms, drizzled with a plum wine reduction and showered with wasabi coated sesame seeds; this dish did a pirouette on my palette and was nothing short of perfection.
KOI offers their patrons Japanese-inspired cuisine with New York accents in a sleek, sexy environment. This is dining with superior freshness and clarity, set amidst an ultra-hip venue that is a cornerstone of the New York party scene.
Koi New York at Bryant Park Hotel
40 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
212.921.3330
www.koirestaurant.com/new_york-bryant_park
