Photo: gabynyrestaurant.com.
An 18-year-old Parisienne arrived in Manhattan in 1922. In Europe she was known as the favorite model of the famous couturier Paul Poiret, the iconic flapper dress designer. In New York she became a lingerie model for Henri Bendel, where she became a great success. The Parisian starred in several Broadway productions like Ziegfeld’s Ripples, and in several silent movies. This young Parisian was having a beautiful life in New York, as she also fell in love and got married. Eventually she returned to France. New York changed this beautiful girl’s life as she took the city by storm. However, New York also remembers this girl, whose name was Gaby.
Nowadays Gaby Brasserie combines the beauty of New York and Paris to create an outstanding ambience. Entering Gaby Brasserie, located at 44 West 45th St, makes you feel comfortable and relaxed, which, combined with excellent service, allows for a beautiful evening.
The interior of the brasserie is warm and sociable, but also luxurious. It has enough space to provide you with some needed privacy, but still gives you a feeling of being home. A portrait of Gaby herself overlooks the green marble-topped mahogany of the Gaby Bar, which reflects Manhattan’s artistic energy in its stained glass accents and zebra-print banquettes. Walls are graced with theatrical posters from silent movies, and the room’s black marble flooring, warm colors, and stylish décor create an inviting ambience reminiscent of popular Parisian bars. The private dining room is decorated with French and New York images, to preserve the history of the brasserie.
Gaby serves classic French cuisine by Executive Chef Sylvain Harribey, whose culinary achievements include winning the Food Network hit show Chopped. The French-born chef brings to his position a precise knowledge of French culinary techniques honed over more than two decades of training at, and ultimately serving at the helm of, some of the finest restaurants in France and the United States.
The dishes that we were served are representing the menu that will be served on March the 19th at Goût de France. Gaby’s Grout de France menu is available for $95 per person, with a wine pairing available for an additional $45. In addition, 5% of the proceeds are donated to City Meals on Wheels.
The dinner started with the ‘Gourgeres Truffle’ as our appetizer, served with Laurent Perrier Champagne. The first course was ‘Smoked Salmon Terrine with grilled vegetables and boursin cheese’, followed by ‘Pan-Seared Fois Gras with sweet potato puree’. Third course included ‘Seafood Nage with fennel and wild organic rice’ and later the ‘Duck Breast with celery root mousseline’. The final course was ‘Fromage du Jour, petit Basque, Valencay’. The final touch of the dinner was a phenomenal dessert ‘Praline Chocolate Croquant’ with Grand Marnier Anglaise, for 100th Anniversary of Grand Marnier.
PAN-SEARED FOIS GRAS with sweet potato puree served with Aegepter chablis, Bourgogne, France
Each dish was served with exquisite wine to create a consistency and balance with the food. All the dishes were prepared with organic ingredients and without the use of butter or oil.
In every dish you could taste the perfection, passion, and talent of Chef Sylvain Harribey. His precision and eye for detail made each and every dish special. The Chef is not only talented and passionate, but is also a very charismatic person who tries to make every evening special for everyone.
Gaby’s intention to combine the best of New York and Paris worked out excellent. This brasserie has a beautiful ambiance, and the combined cultures are recognizable in every dish and drink. This brasserie represents Gaby’s life as she lived an amazing life in both New York as Paris, and masterfully combines the best of both worlds.
-by Jasemin Zacharko
