Just came home.   For three years now I have tried to eat at Picholine, and for some reason or another, each time I made a reservation, I had to cancel it.

Now Artisanal— Terrance Brenan's sister restaurant— is a hangout for me; Because, you know, life is all about the cheese!  I like the high-end bistro atmosphere, I'm friendly with the beverage director (we took cheese classes together); the fromagier is a really sweet guy, and overall, I always have fun there. (You must try the mac and cheese).

So, back to Picholine:  just blocks from Lincoln Center Picholine is an elegant, upper-west-side French Mediterranean restaurant.  The food quality is excellent.  The decor is elegant.  The wait staff provides seamless service.  The scene — a bit stuffy.

However, I love Terrance Brennan's food.  So, my dinner companion and I ordered the tasting menu.  

****Amuse Bouche:

·         Sea Base Cervechi;

·         Lobster salad in basil wrap topped with salmon roe

·         Mushroom Panna Cotta

·         Apple Pumpkin(?) Soup with a tapioca crisp

**Uni Flan – really cutting-edge flavor combinations (you have to like Uni)

***Scallops

**Chestnut Soup

*** Mushroom Risotto

**** Lamb with cauliflower puree (we reached food capacity and had to take most of the lamb home.  It was still tender the next morning, cold!)

TOO FULL—took the cheese home

****Best Chocolate soufflé ever; Amazing peanut butter ice cream (yum)

TOO Full – Took home the cookies