I made a quick trip to NYC for some work and some play.   The play part included a group dinner at Oriental Garden, organized by my friend Will, a small dinner at Masa, and a small dinner at Le Bernadin, organized by my friend Jay.

The ORIENTAL GARDEN dinner was planned well in advance, and included a whole roasted suckling pig, and a giant King Crab from Norway.  We also had geoduck (sashimi), live shrimp (steamed), live lobster (two ways) and peking duck.  It was, as usual, an extraordinary Chinese Banquet.

The MASA dinner featured multiple incredible dishes, including Hairy Crab from Hokkaido, Uni from both Hokkaido and Santa Barbara served multiple ways (including clay pot), and, as usual, the most incredible sashimi and sushi in the world (with fish from all over the world).  Masa is an absolute genius.  Wines included:  1999 DRC Vosne Romanee; 1999 Coche Corton Charlemagne and Meursault Perrieres; 1985 DRC Montrachet; 1969 Leroy Meursault Perrieres; 2001, 2002 and 2004 Coche Corton Charlemagne

The LE BERNADIN dinner was created for us by Chef Eric Ripert, my favorite French chef in the world — this is also my favorite French restaurant in America.  Wines included:  1961 Krug; 1978 and 1979 Bonneau Martray Corton Charlemagne; 2009 Coche Meursault Genevieres; 1989 Leflaive Batard and Bienvenues Montrachet; 1959 La Romanee (Bouchard); 1959 Mouton; and 1989 Krug Clos De Mesnil.