Blackbird

I love this restaurant for lunch or dinner. their seafood soup on the lunch menu is out of this world and their desserts are to die for!

I made reservations about three weeks prior to Restaurant Week and am so glad I did because all the reservation times were completely taken a week later. The only option available for Restaurant Week was lunch, and 1:15pm was the only reasonable time available on a Friday.
I’ve been wanting to check out Blackbird, but yes, the three dollar signs do scare me. Therefore, $ 22/​person is a great deal for Blackbird!
The ambiance is very modern and classy. Be weary that the tables are so close together that they literally have to move the table aside for you to inch your way in to the booth seating, and it’s easy to listen to the conversations next to your table. It didn’t help that my friend tends to talk extra loud, and the couple next to us ate in silence throughout most of their meal. Aiy yai yai.
Prior to our meal, we were given amuse-​bouche and a slice of bread each after. This was a nice touch since I wouldn’t have been full at the end of the meal otherwise.
It wasn’t until my coworker informed me that I knew about the change in the Restaurant Week menu. The online menu for the appetizer and dessert is different than the actual menu.
Appetizer — Rabbit sausage: I’ve never had a rabbit sausage before, but this was pretty mouth-​watering and my favorite course. It wasn’t greasy nor overly salty.
Entrée — Duck confit: It was difficult to get all the meat off the bone with just a knife and fork, but I managed in the end. This was a scrumptious dish. My friend ordered the hanger steak, which was delicious as well. Between the two, I would recommend ordering the steak.
Dessert — Winter coupe: It was good, but I felt like I was eating a heavy cream rather than ice cream. I liked the dessert, but it didn’t blow me away like TWO’s and Embeya’s.
For $ 22/​person, I would recommend coming here during Restaurant Week. I’m not so sure about outside of Restaurant Week, but I will have to see.

We came here today for restaurant week. It was a great way to get three courses for one low price. To begin they brought out fresh baked bread with honey butter that was super tasty. For an appetizer I started with the Rabbit Sausage with Gnocchi which was very tasty. For an Entrée i choose the Hanger steak which was so tender that it could have almost been cut with my fork alone. And to finish I had a brownie sundae with chocolate coffee ice cream. Everything that I had was delicious and the presentation of each plate was beautiful. So beautiful I almost didn’t want to eat it lol. The portions where rather modest but by the end of the three courses I was satisfied. I couldn’t imagine eating just the entrée and being full though so I would never go here when I am completely starving. I would definitely recommend dining here.

Restaurant week 2016
Lunch prix fixe for $ 22
The perfect times and event of the year to demonized restaurants that have gained the reputation of being upscale and so can at times be intimidating to even try .
First impression always sets the tone, warm welcome from the receptionist that put you at ease but doesn’t transcend through once settled to you table or the bar for me. Being that I was alone in this venture I got settled I between 2 couples. Which was too tight and not enough elbow nor leg room. Should have gotten a table !
The bartender was polite but lacked charisma of a seasoned server, that is a must for this area of the restaurant. Not impressed at all .
First course rabbit sausage with gnocchi creamed parsley root; bread and butter fennel .
The rabbit meat flavor was tastefully complimented by the soft dough of the gnocchi .
Entreé grilled monkfish with sunchoke persimmon and basil. This fish has almost a slight rubbery end feel on your fork. It’s one of the ugliest fish with a big head ! but has a subtle taste. So it can absorbed flavor easily… even the smokiness of the grill. The basil sauce and the sweetness of the persimmon added some depth to this dish .
Dessert was a winter-​coupe with dark brownie milk chocolate ice cream and espresso meringue.
Sweet savory ice team with the brownie being almost toffee like consistency. The meringue just melts in you tongue. Yummy !
All in all its a well oiled restaurant that can pack and move diners. It lacks the personal touch from the staff that the food warmly makes up for which is their main saving grace in this place.

I’m writing Blackbird a review based on my experience during restaurant week.
I came here for lunch with a friend. The first thing I noticed was how sharp and clean this restaurant looked. I thought the aesthetics of Blackbird is unlike any other restaurant I’ve seen– lots of light, white countertops, and linens with a pop of color here and there. The tables are a little tight– I could hear conversations from the people sitting next to me. Also, they do have hooks they bring to your seat so I could keep my bag with me, hung from the table side (I thought this was definitely a nice touch!).
Upon seating, we were brought warm bread and a knob of sweet whipped butter. I started off with the gnocchi and rabbit sausage. The gnocchi was okay, but I thought the rabbit sausage was very tasty (rabbit is traditionally a very lean meat, and by turning it into a sausage, lots of flavor (read: fat!) is being incorporated into the meat). For my main course, I ordered the monkfish. It was very tender and cooked well. The sauce on the side paired nicely! For dessert, I ordered the brownie with chocolate coffee ice cream. While I enjoyed the ice cream, I thought the brownie was average (almost wish it was served warm!). I was expecting more for dessert, but it was just okay.
Overall, I thought Blackbird did a good job. Great ambiance, pretty good food, pretty good service!

I mean, obviously.
Came for Restaurant Week, and the monkfish alone warranted five stars (although the amuse-​bouche that is being served this week was a close second). Presentation matches quality in almost every way here, so it’s hard to go wrong. I also tried the roasted broccoli (served cold, I was surprised that I liked the flat taste of this dish after the stellar amuse-​bouche) and the coupe, which I was glad my server dumbed down for me because I didn’t want to seem too awkward when I asked in a quiet restaurant what the heck that was.
Service was swift; my only negative is that sitting at tables this close together at 11:30 AM for lunch on a Monday means that you will inevitably listen to the diners sitting right next to you (I’m guessing this is not a problem when the place is packed). It’s also fun to watch people try to get up from a table with all of their gear after moving the tables out of the way, but ultimately this means that Blackbird can really pack ‘em in. Very enjoyable!

Blackbird was the only Michelin star place that we visited twice so far. The starters especially the amazing, creative, tasty cold soup could just be the reason for a visit again!
We heard the executive chef changed before we visited last time, the appetizers were still as amazing as before. The cold soup is the best one we tried in the State!!! For the dessert, you cannot go wrong with either options. The only complains that dinner were the sweetbread was a little overcooked and the dinner was not as impressive as the starters.

My husband and I came here for lunch on a Thursday. We both opted for the lunch prix fixe.
Both starters were a little bit too salty, but things started getting better when came to the entrees.
Mine was monkfish, quite tender and juicy. And my husband chose duck confit, nicely prepared with a delicious flavor.
The desserts were our favorites, both of them! You can’t go wrong with either options.
Overall it was a nice place. Interior design was clean and good. And for $ 25, the three course lunch worth the price.

An old friend and myself dined during the week during lunch
We both ordered the lunch course (all different items so we could share)
The beef tar tar, monkfish, and both desserts were delicious
The ORIGINAL carrots were delicious, wish there were more of that old world greatness
Only problem was the location we were seated in a generally wide open restaurant and the broccoli on her dish did not seem cooked all the way and was plain.
The French press was nice

How do I even begin writing a review for this place? It’s like being asked to write a speech for the Noble Peace Prize winner… well, almost. I’ve been restaurant hopping a lot this year, from one new hot spot to the next hoping to be amazed. Well, Blackbird finally left me stunned, and luckily, it was my birthday! What could be better than really, the best meal of the year (maybe even my life) on your birthday?
The one downside was the beginning of the night. We arrived a little early for our reservation and caught a seat at the bar for some drinks. When telling the bartender we weren’t eating but only needed drinks, she seemed pissed off as she cleared away the dinner settings at the bar seats — ummm, you work at a Michelin Starred Restaurant — attitude is not appreciated.
Anyways, moving on. It’s a Michelin Restaurant, I’m supposed to be classy, but my foodie-​ness got the best of me. For a table of 4, we ordered some apps, and 4 entrees, but actually asked to eat it family style. I mean, I really really needed to know how good everyone’s meal might’ve been… and fortunately, best idea ever.
Highlights of my meal were the free kale chips bites (not just cause they were free), and the sturgeon. WOW. Overall, the food was great. It’s tough to find restaurants these days that don’t cost an arm and a leg in which every single element on the plate brings something to the dish — Blackbird, you blew my socks off (well, I also wasn’t wearing any).

Came here for dessert. The service was completely non-​judgmental about that, which is nice. For what it’s worth, Blackbird is MUCH quieter for dessert hours than it is during dinner, which is a huge blessing for the noise sensitive like me. It’s also much less crowded, which is considerable because the tables are very close together.
What we had:
candied beet: chocolate, fennel, orange blossom water
This dish was a different take on what I’m used to from beets, which I hate. It was quite good, an eclectic combination of flavors that in some ways complements and some ways overwhelms, and left me quite satisfied. It was balanced, beautiful, and intriguing, and definitely worth a taste.
and the special, a mango sorbet
Mango sorbet, pomegranate seeds, lemon leaves I believe, and coconut something on the bottom. It was off menu and quite good, refreshing though not as balanced as the upper dish, not that I have too much complaint about this one.
Mignardise included some type of pop-​rock soda candy and rich chocolate truffles. They were both quite nice.
I loved the food we were served. I also rather enjoyed the quietness and décor of the restaurant, its subdued tones matching its calm ambiance. Based on this, I’m not quite sure I’d want to come back for dinner when I hear it’s quite the rustle and bustle, but you can certainly count me intrigued.

I thought the lunch prix fixe for $ 25 was the best way for me to try this Michelin rated restaurant. As part of Chef Paul Kahan’s empiire, this was the one place I picked out of all the options and somehow I can’t help but wonder if The Publican or Avec had been better?
On a brighter note, I couldn’t dismiss how pristine and sharp looking the restaurant is. The clean lines, white linens, and glass window beaming in sunlight into the dining room is simple elegance at its best. Seated at a window table, my husband and I enjoyed our view of passers by minding about their businesses out in broad daylight. It was a good place to have lunch but I wasn’t impressed with the food.
I started with the BARLEY PORRIDGE with roasted mushrooms, hops vinegar, and chickweed which was pretty much like a risotto without using Arborio rice. I enjoyed the earthy flavors especially from the mushrooms but the texture from the porridge was a little overkill for me. RED CURRY SQUASH and WALNUT soup was my better half’s choice and he picked well. This was both our favorite from this meal.
For my main entrée, I chose the HANGER STEAK — tender, delicious, but forgettable. His was the GRILLED MONKFISH and that was bland and chewy. No, thanks!
We got the FLAN BREAD PUDDING with pumpkin spice, sesame, and pomegranate and the FALL COUPE with toasted sesame ice cream, dark chocolate, and sea salt for dessert. I thought this course was going to be the redeeming factor but still wasn’t blown away.
Again, for a three course lunch menu for $ 25, I shouldn’t be complaining. You get what you pay for — beautiful plating, minuscule portions, and forgettable food.

I was skeptical to say the least but Blackbird won me over. The vanilla décor, all male waitstaff in little suits and the teeny tiny portions had me all ready to sneer and snark. However one bite of the Brussels and cauliflower appetizer and my icy heart began to thaw.
Things are tiny but so delicious and refined that the price is well worth it.
Try the crouqe Madame.

Went here last night to celebrate our anniversary. Made plans last minute but was still able to get a reservation here at a reasonable time. We were offered complimentary champagne as soon as we arrived. For appetizers we got the roasted Brussel sprouts and the poached lobster. Both were pretty darn good! I didn’t expect the lobster to be a cold appetizer but it turned out great. We ordered a couple cocktails too and they were great with our main course of the barbecued sturgeon and roasted lamb. The sturgeon was my favorite dish of the evening — perfectly cooked and had flavors I had never experienced before. The lamb saddle was good too though it did get a bit chewy once it got cold. I didn’t care too much for the desserts but in full disclosure I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.
The ambience of the place is quite average. Since the space is small, it does feel a bit crowded. If you’re looking to go on a romantic date, I probably wouldn’t recommend blackbird. I tend to judge places by their restrooms and this one wasn’t screaming «$$$» :D
Service was good. We liked that they actually gave us sufficient gaps between our courses. While I get some folks might be put off by that, it allowed us to enjoy every course adequately and have insightful conversations about said courses ;)
While I enjoyed myself here, I don’t see myself being a regular because there’s so many other ones on my list to get through. Would definitely recommend it to people trying it for the first time.
Overall: Food is ⁵⁄₅; ambience is ³⁄₅; service is ⁵⁄₅

Maintaining a ~3.5, Blackbird definitely falls under the category of good but not outstanding. The fresh, warm brown bread and maple butter is still incredibly addictive. The fall prix fixe was just all right… solid, but not particularly memorable. The celeriac soup was earthy and hearty, but a little sour. Monkfish was nicely prepared, rich texture and flavor, not dried out at all, pleasant char flavor. The green apple and sauce were similarly sour, but in a good way. The flan bread pudding dessert looked like Christmas, but it was lackluster and a bit unimaginative compared to the brown butter rum cake I tried last time.
Decent, but not Michelin-​star worthy in my opinion. I’ll probably be back to try dinner, which I expect is the star of the show at Blackbird.

Came back for the prix fixe lunch menu and was unfortunately quite disappointed; the flavors this time around lacked the elegance of my first visit. I had the beef tartare for the appetizer, which was rather salty and didn’t taste entirely fresh. For the entrée, I ordered the duck again, which was again very tender and juicy; however, it lacked the balance of flavors that it nailed when I got it the first time around – a little too salty and lacking the sweet or acidity to balance it out. The dessert, in contrast, was absolutely amazing and refreshingly unusual – the zucchini ice cream was an delicious combination of savory and sweet flavors, and I loved the crunch that the croutons brought to cool sweetness of the ice cream.
As usual, the service itself was great, but the pacing of the food was extremely, almost frustratingly, slow.

3.5
Came here for the lunch prix fixe and was able to try the entire menu thanks to my lovely lunch buddies.
Standout items:
— Starters: Corn gazpacho — I’m usually not a fan of cold soup (WEIRD) but this one was delicious! It had the sweetness of corn with bits of charred peaches. I would definitely pick this over beef tar tare.
— Entrée: Salmon and Skirt steak. Salmon gives you more food, but both had great flavors. I think I would rank the salmon a tad above the steak actually…
— Dessert: can’t go wrong with either options
So why only 3.5? For nice places like this, food isn’t everything. While the meal was just fine (I wasn’t absolutely blown away), the service left something to be desired. The pacing of the meal was slow (2+ hr lunch, and the place wasn’t busy) and the service was fine but not super attentive.
Great atmosphere for business lunch, girl’s date, or your next tinder date ;)

Blackbird, blackbird, what do you see? I see a signature restaurant looking at me. Inspired by Eater’s Bill Addison (
), I made it my life’s mission to visit all the restaurants of Paul Kahan’s One Off Hospitality empire. Challenge accepted… challenge completed!
The last review on the list is Blackbird, Kahan’s signature Michelin-​starred restaurant and home to a hefty bill at the end of the night. It’s not my favorite of the Kahan joints (that honor goes to either Big Star or The Publican), but as far as top of the line restaurants go, Blackbird does it pretty dang well. It didn’t hurt that we brought our cousins’ little baby to her first Michelin restaurant, which will surely go down as a milestone in her young life (she was just old enough to chill out at dinner and sample a little food, not old enough to be a cause a ruckus the size of a San Andreas earthquake). For their part, the staff was very accommodating to said baby, and yes, we did ask ahead whether it was appropriate.
Service, as expected, was top of the line. The restaurant itself is also clean and crisp, white without the white linen and a nice, pristine contrast to rowdy, communal Avec next door. We stuck with cocktails (great) and beer, but went HAM on appetizers and entrees to create a communal table tasting menu.
The appetizers were thoroughly fantastic, that I honestly can’t decide what I liked the best of La Mer: the soft shell crab, the scallop, or the prawns. Table baby definitely loved the scallop, and by that, I mean she loved the melt-​in-​your-​mouth buttery foie gras torchon that accompanied it. I guess my vote would be for the prawns, delightfully light yet tasty and beautifully presented.
I had decided ahead of time to go with Blackbird’s signature sturgeon for the entrée, and I was not disappointed in the least. It’s a meaty cut, salted well, and presented aside a tasty asaparagus-​ham combo. The wife’s artichoke cappelletti was a light complement and perfect for splitting alongside the sturgeon. Our cousin’s pork belly was another winner, and I just regret I had but one visit and couldn’t try the duck.
We ended the evening with a luscious chocolate cake and an interesting bubble gum ice cream. The latter may be one of my least favorite flavors alive, but the dish acquitted itself well, with help from copious strawberries and cream.
Gun to my head, the Kahan list: (1) Big Star (2) The Publican (3) Avec (4) Blackbird (5) Publican Quality Meats (6) Nico Osteria (7) The Violet Hour (8) Dove’s Luncheonette. But you can’t really go wrong with any of them.

Solid… better than sister restaurant Avec

Great food great service. Really loud. Avec is more fun.