The eponymous crown jewel in Jean-Georges Vongerichten's global culinary empire, Jean-Georges also one of the city's greatest restaurants, with accolades from the James Beard Foundation and nearly everyone else, including four stars from the New York Times and three Michelin stars. Chef Vongerichten brings a menu of finely crafted dishes to his sun-drenched, airy space using the best in contemporary French and American techniques, blending expertly with Asian influences and insights, for a seasonal menu that not only evolves with the trends but tends to set them. Such a masterful chef would never leave too much control to the patrons, and Jean-Georges offers a perfectly curated pair of six-course tasting menus alongside a three-course prix fixe. While the selections are ever-changing, they run a tasteful gamut that may include a ten mushroom soup, a crab risotto with nori and key lime, butter-poached lobster, parmesan-crusted organic chicken with black truffle, artichoke, basil and lemon butter, and crispy confit of suckling pig with baby beets and ginger vinaigrette.
"It is time to revive the kind of service that is reminiscent of the 40's and 50's," states the chef and co-owner Jean-Georges Vongerichten. "We wanted to bring back table-side service for two reasons: first, because it is elegant and graceful; but more importantly, I felt it was time to bring the excitement and the wonderful aromas of food preparation back into the dining room. After all, we cooks are the ones that have been having all the fun in the kitchen -- that first aromatic smell of freshly sliced meat or the placement of the perfect garnish to finish a dish will now be experienced by the diners. It will add a sense of aliveness and conviviality to the dining room that focuses on the food."
While he has become a celebrity chef with a number of less traditional restaurants in the ensuing years since Vongerichten first opened Jean Georges, he has nevertheless maintained stellar quality here by continuing to focus on the elements that make top New York dining experiences so extraordinary: quality, service and elegance. You will also find an award-winning wine list with an international selection of 650 wines ranging up to $12,500.
For those preferring a more casual atmosphere, Nougatine offers a tranquil setting and additional hours in an adjacent space.