Accent Lighting at "per se" in New York--Another Ten Best French Restaurants

Prior to the spring of 2004, New Yorkers were right to be

kicking themselves. Though superstar chef Thomas Keller

started off his stellar career in the Big Apple at acclaimed

 restaurants La Reserve, Restaurant Raphael and Rakel, it

was at The French Laundry on the Californian coast that he

hit his stride and came to be seen as the US' greatest chef.

How could they have let him get away? When Keller came

back to New York to open his East Coast outpost in 2004,

he was welcomed with open arms. He opened Per Se in the

Time Warner Centre, an upscale mall of smart shops and

smarter restaurants, at Columbus Circle at the south-east

corner of Central Park. Renowned designer Adam Tihany makes

the most of the setting where you'll find a version of the famous

blue door - fashioned after the French Laundry's own, an

elegant fireplace and a field-stone interior in a crisp, urban environment,

with excellent views of the park and just 15 coveted tables.

Chef de Cuisine Jonathan Benno has followed a nicely varied

East-West learning curve. The CIA grad started in the Bay Area

at Michael Mina at Aqua before joining Chef Keller in Napa.

He ended up back on the East Coast, where he accrued

experience at major names such as Daniel, Les Célébrités,

Gramercy Tavern and Craft. He was soon drawn back to Napa

for 18 months where he worked with Keller on the Per Se

concept. There are two menus only, both nine courses, a chef's

tasting and a vegetable tasting menu. Classics from the French

Laundry, such as the famed Oysters and Pearls and the Salmon

Tartare, are there, but the daily-changing menu also includes

perfect examples of the Per Se style, complete with Keller's

signature speechmarks - "Schnitzel Holstein" Pan Roast

"Ris de Veau", Sunny-Side Up Quail Egg, Herb "SpŠtzle"; or

"Omelette aux Fines Herbes", Herb Roasted Salsify,

"B‰tons" and "Coulis de Cresson". (from GolfWorldInfo)

So, lighting...

Front door--accent lighting on the signage

Kitchen--task lighting so you can tell the chicken from the beef

Dining Room--recessed lighting and candle light for ambiance

I LOVE THOSE BLUE DOORS