金食 ❤ 棠

^{Before I dined here, I've tried the Per Se, Jean Geroges, Del Posto, and L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon at Four Seasons Hotel several times. Dining in Per Se is no cheap affair ( Per Se is twice the cost as daniel. ) but I didn't feel the phenomenal service while I enjoyed Thomas Keller's food ( Even their "Kitchen Tour" was a nice touch & food was excellent).  In comparison, I found Daniel to be my best experience so far in New York. Dining at Daniel was something that you won't regret to take your saving money from the bank or your kid's college foundation.} 

^{Photo from New York Time}   

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^{Did you see the entrance picture(an almost discreet & unassuming location)? Unless you knew it was there, you might drive by it a hundred times without knowing.}

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^{Even in the daytime, the entrance is still easy to miss...}

 ^{When I enter the revolving doors & immediately know my $$$ U.S. Hundred Dollar Bills pumps are treated to plush carpeting. The service was very hospitable & welcoming.} 

^{Then you see the vaulted ceilings, hear the delicous French accents and give up your coat for what will prove to be potentially the best and, at the very least, the most memorable gourmet of your entire life.} 

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^{To find myself inside Daniel's bar and lounge being treated like a princess with my company, what else I can ask for?}

^{The ceiling is an intricately painted carved expanse of wooden beams. Decorated elegantly, it sets the mood for the dining experience you are about to partake in. It is one of the classiest atmospheres that I have ever been in. From the entrance, to the bar and to the dining area, nothing was overlooked. On average, I'd probably find Del Posto, Asiate, & Buddakan more interesting, but when I visited Daniel...WOW! "Am I in Paris now?"} 

^{According to my previous experience in Per Se, I was concerned this is going to be stuffy and that I wouldn't enjoy myself, but we had a really great time. However, there is no bad seat in the entire restaurant. No matter where you sit, you are very much a part of the action. Sitting side by side in a corner booth is also the way to go, you can look out over the entire place and the experience is just all around great.}

^{The attention from the wait staff seemed genuine not forced. We enjoyed wonderful service that was professional and not haughty. I was not only enjoyed myself observing their artwork that hang on the wall/ version dish on other tables but also enjoyed myself observing the elegant charming wait staffs with the adorable French accents to serve other people. Oh~What a busy night!} 

^{In addition, the wine selection was outstanding at extremely good pricing. We all decided to go nuts and order prix fixe with wine pairing.} 

^{The meal began with a selection of breads.}

^{OMG~ they bake everything on premises, so many choices of breads & rolls were offered to us several times on a big flat basket. I almost tried each type of bread available tonight ⇨ this was also a first for me. (Except the roasted nut slice & walnut slice→I was allergic to walnut.) My friend with the exception of the sourdough varieties (He doesn't like sourdough - I know, this is sacrilege!).}

^{I had, in chronological order, the rasin, the mini French baguette, the olive roll, the sweet butter roll, & the garlic focaccia. Oh~Hot bread with my perfect ice tea. Can I say the bread is out of this frickin world? and of course that french butter!!!}

^{Who needs food when the bread and butter are exquisite? Now I was kind of on the brink of fullness.} 

^{We were thanked for handing over a bread plate to load up on more bread. It's nice to be treated with such patience and grace service!}

^{PS: People from reviews may be quite amusing when they see a waiter who is clearly not French but try to speak with heavy French accent. However, their "probably-French accents" make everything sound exotic (even the bread) to me. So why not?!}

^Continued...