I went to Gem with Cesar Guzman, Bryan Poff, and Dave Kennedy to celebrate our unanimous approval of the liquor license for 28 Liberty Manhattan by the neighborhood board.
Gem, the pre-fixe, tiny restaurant by teen chef sensation Flynn McGarry was quite wonderful. Chef Flynn began hosting tasting menu dinners in his living room when he was 12 years old. By 14, he was working the line at Eleven Madison Park and opened Gem when he was 18. He’s a true prodigy, and the 17-course dinner was spectacular, as were the terrifically interesting 8 wine pairing. In particular, I am going to hunt down the sparkling wine that started our evening and the dessert wine that finished the night.
Dave said it might have been the best meal of his life! It ranked up high for sure. I am a fan of the young Chef Flynn.
1 – Razor, surf and little neck clams with white gazpacho fermented peppers and fig leaf oil gem2 – Fresh cheese with summer preserves and black garlic3 – Scallops with pears, rye bread and shiso4 – King crab with potatoes, chamomile and rose5 – Broccoli rabe and caramelized onion tortellini in brodo6 – Roasted cabbage with oyster and kale emulsion7 – Grilled greens with egg yolk and anchovy8 – Roasted pumpkin with mornay and black pepper9 – Slow roasted sunchokes with galangal10 – Celery root nduja11 – Carrots and truffles with fermented barley12 – Duck breast glazed in huckleberry13 – Ragout of duck legs with matsutake and shallots14 – Duck hearts with olives and cherries15 – Rye Chip with livers, coffee and pear16 – Pickled mushrooms and hay broth16 – Pickled mushrooms and hay broth17 – Quince tarte tatinThe MenuThe Wine Pairings
Rotten Apples and Other Delights 