As previously reported on Wined & Dined, Jean-Georges Vongerichten described his “Gift to You This Season” as his $24 prix-fixe lunches and his $35 prix-fixe dinners at most of his NYC restaurants.  He called the “best deal, by far” the 6 course mini-omakase dinner at Matsugen in TriBeCa, described by Zagat as a “Japanese soba house gone ‘upscale.’”  So, in the middle of a winter storm with snow falling heavily, Andy and I were off to Church and Leonard Street to receive our gift. See what we thought of Jean-Georges’ heartfelt recession special after the jump…

The $35 Menu:

Wasabi Nuts – Grilled Edamame – Madai Usuzukuri with Soy Wasabi – Black Cod with Miso OR 4 Pieces of Sushi – Chicken Meatballs – Kamoseiro Duck Soup with Soba Noodles - Vanilla Caramel Pudding (Plus Homemade Soft Tofu that we ordered a la carte for $8).

The Verdict:

Overall we were very happy with our gift from Jean-Georges.  It is quite a deal after all and we also found a reasonably priced bottle of Gewurtz that we thoroughly enjoyed. Pretty amazing any time you can get out of a JG restaurant under $150 (including tip) for dinner for 2 and a bottle of wine. It was definitely a small bite tasting menu and the courses did not come separately.  We received our wasabi nuts, grilled edamame, and madai usuzukuri while we were still enjoying our fresh soft tofu (excellent, by the way).  Andy’s 4 pieces of sushi came at the same time as his chicken meatballs and my black cod with miso arrived after all my little chicken meatballs were gone.  We could not believe we were finished with a full 6 courses (7 if you add in our tofu) in about an hour!  AND Andy was still hungry for more after our last course.  Despite a quick moving and haphazard serving style, we really did enjoy the food and for $35 it is a steal.  I include a list of our favorites below.  Thanks Jean-Georges and if you’re still feeling generous, we’re ready for some more presents!

Favorites:

- The Madai Usuzukuri with Soy Wasabi (sashimi style red snapper)

- Chicken Meatballs (delicious and not what I was expecting at all- they burst with flavor)

- Kamoseiro Duck Soup with Soba Noodles (and we received a little lesson on how to dip our cold soba noodles in the steaming tasty duck broth- very tasty…it was also a nice surprise when the broth in which the noodles cooked was added at the end of the meal to our remaining duck broth so we did not miss out on any of the soba nutrients)

Tip:  I would recommend the Miso Cod over the traditional 4 pieces of sushi.  Andy couldn’t help his wandering chopsticks from crossing the table for my cod.

Kamoseiro Duck Soup with Soba Noodles

Black Cod with Miso

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