When I recently used a Groupon for the first time, I learned 2 things:
1. Groupon lets the restaurant decide the specifics of the certificate. That means that, though there may be no small print about dining restrictions, the restaurant decides if you can dine there for dinner only. Not a huge sticking point, but something to remember.
2. If you are a careful shopper, Groupon has some very good deals. .
In particular, it offers packages to really high-end restaurants. Like Petrossian.
The caviar emporium is also affiliated with a lovely art deco restaurant near Carnegie Hall where luxury ingredients like caviar and foie gras reign the menu. This means that costs add up quickly. By buying the Groupon, I got to have a 4 course meal, including vodka and caviar, for $50 per person.
Any girl with as much Russian blood in her as me is going to buy that deal for the caviar alone.
12 grams Royal Transmontanus Caviar with Creme Fraiche and Toast Points
One of the most interesting aspects of this caviar is how indistinguishable it is from imported Russian caviar. Very clean tasting, with individual beads that do not pop with a disarming crunch, but rather gently their release salty, briny flavor. I have had domestic caviar before, several years ago, and that stuff was NOT this stuff. There is no bitter aftertaste, no muddy flavors. Paired with the bite of vodka, warm toast points and rich creme fraiche, it was a well-rounded and indulgent appetizer.
Petrossian Salmon Sampling - Our Premier Smoked, Classic Tsar Cut, Dill and Vodka Spiced, Tsar Black Sea Spiced and Salmon Roe
A wonderful treat for anyone who loves smoked salmon. Perhaps not as fine as my favorite balik cut salmon, but an excellent example of how salmon can take on many flavors and textures. The classic Tsar Cut was buttery and fatty, tasting like thick cut belly lox. The dill and vodka salmon was herbal and the fishy flavor was greatly reduced by the sharp vodka cure. My favorite part of the dish was the salmon roe – fluorescent orbs of salty, oceanic flavor. Pleasantly sticky and not at all mushy, this roe alone would make a delicious appetizer.
Pan Seared Striped Bass with Basil-Lime Risotto, Candied Pearl Onions, and Bouillabaisse Sauce
The fish was crispy and mild, the pearl onions were a nice jammy counterpart, and the broth was rich with saffron, adding aromatics to the dish. That’s all fine and dandy. The risotto was out of this world. The texture was dead on – individual grains of rice that were creamy yet fluffy. And the taste was revelatory, nothing less. The basil and lime gave an unmistakably Asian flare to the risotto – fragrant, citrusy, and extremely savory. I would NEVER have thought to do a risotto mixing these flavors, but when combined with nutty Parmesan cheese, this was outstanding. I can’t wait to recreate it at home.
Apple Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream
Don’t believe it for a second. This is not an apple tart. This is a gooey, buttery, doughy cinnamon roll with a little tartness from apples. That’s all. If you like Cinnabon, you will love this. The homemade cinnamon ice cream, smooth and a little spicy, is a tasty sidekick.
Petrossian is a beautiful restaurant with attentive service. The food was delicious, especially the caviar and that unrivaled risotto, and with the Groupon, the meal was an affordable indulgence. Not an everyday thing, but something that makes a fantastic treat.
