July 23, 2018 Update:
This is your annual reminder to check out this gem in Chelsea that continues to fire on all Bucatinis. Three visits this year alone and about a dozen overall, making Momofuku Nishi my most frequented fine dining destination these days. Its the only place with a four Z rating in the EWZ NYC universe. But as with any establishment, its important to keep expectations in check. The menus constantly change and sometimes those crazy Fuku chefs like to experiment on us. So allow me to decipher the current menu to uncover some gems for you. Well, you really have no choice.
To Start – Here I go for the market veggies mostly. Endive with walnut Bagna Cauda, the classic Piedmontese dish that serves as the perfect counter for the sharp Endives. The various Gem Lettuce renditions always work, and last time the Romano Beans and Burrata with Spring Onions did the trick. But if you dont mind the high markup for some of the most prized Uni in the world, the Hokkaido Uni on top of two spongy Panelle in Dashi is pure ecstasy with every bite. Also the scallop whether regular or bay are always good. And I love their Sourdough Focaccia with ‘nduja (Calabrian chili with pork spread)
Pasta – Wait there’s more? I think I’m stuffed. But if this is your first visit, by law you have to start with the Bucatini ceci e pepe. Notice the Ceci spelling. Instead of Pecorino, these crazy scientists are using their trademark “Hozon”, a fermented chickpea paste, giving it more of a sweet note. My favorite new discovery is the Campanelle with blue crab and old bay seasoning – light, summary, earthy flavors throughout. But the best pasta on the current menu is probably the Tagliatelle with pork skin, black beans and Chinese garlicky chives. Its unlike any pork ragu you’ll come across. The fantastic Capellini alla Fideos, perhaps the best clam dish in NYC is not on the menu currently for some reason.
Lobster Fra Diavolo – This deserves its own category because it is its own category on the menu. I describe this $62 beast below so I wont repeat. It was recently featured on Grubstreet. A textbook example of that classic Nishi marriage of Asian and Italian. You cant find this on Jdate folks. I tried.
Meat and Fish – The Monkfish and Roast Pork are the standouts right now, though I didnt have the good looking lamb leg yet. No steak on the menu at the moment (I think we finished all of them) but its usually dependable. The ribs need to be back as well. The only thing I wouldnt order again is the Branzino.
Pasta Tasting – Never had it.
Dessert – Get the Frozen Vanilla Mousse and Pistachio Bundt.
Enjoy!
November 10, 2017 Post:
I pretty much declared it my new favorite Italian before my first visit to the new and improved La Cucina Fukina. Improved? It was more like wishing things stayed the same as much as possible. It wasnt the first time I was disappointed to learn about a restaurant I really like turning strictly “Italian” overnight (Caicos Cafe in my adopted home of Turks and Caicos). Turns out however, fears overblown again, but this time I expected it to be.
Momofuku Nishi seem to have an identity problem, but not so much a creativity problem. When I talk about Momofuku during my tours, I often stumble upon the “What kind of cuisine is it” question. “Its Momofuku cuisine” I often say. A bunch of talented guys and gals in a lab making magic. Asian influenced magic. We often default stuff like this to “New American”.
As long as its still Momofuku and Joshua Pinski at the helm, Nishi can go Polish, Norwegian, or Ethiopian as far as I care and still deliver. If not for the surprising announcement, I wouldnt even know there was a label change after my recent meals. Nishi has been executing nifty pastas and crudos since they opened pretty much. The identity flak mostly came from aging critics who didnt care for the space nor the noise. A valid complaint, met with death ears by many once they tried those luscious spare ribs or the sick Capellini a la Fideos which is going through its third incarnation.
The big change that meant closing Nishi for a few days was to the space. No more community tables, and the chairs now got your back. Its more comfortable now, which can be perceived as a little fancier as some pointed out on Yelp. Another big change is the introduction of a Pasta tasting menu. I’m not normally in favor of this kind of carb overload, but by the look of it, and having eaten some of this, it could be the new pasta tasting menu to beat in NYC.
And then there’s the Lobster Fra Diavolo. Coincidentally, another thing in common with that Italian counterpart in TCI I mentioned earlier. Here its a mammoth plate loaded with garlic, chili and XO infused spaghettoni, with the emphasis on the chili making it more Asian than Italian. On top are chunks of 1.5 lb flash fried lobster coated with salt and pepper, cracked and ready to easily fish out that wonderful meat. Its a $62 triumph! One of the best things I’ve eaten all year
In the two recent visits I’ve enjoyed the walnut Bagna Cauda both times. Once for lunch with radish, and for dinner with red endive. This Piedmontese classic sauce is the perfect counter to the sharpness of Endives. In Piedmont they use it as a dip for vegetables but I prefer it on top. And the fact that the Striped Bass Carpaccio topped with thin slices of castelvetrano olives wasnt particularly memorable serves as a true testament to the rest of the lineup, because we didnt find anything particularly wrong with it. The infamous Bucatini ceci e pepe is still on the menu. And while I do recommend it, I’m not sure it cracks my top 3 pastas here. The saucy, finger licking awesome BBQ Pork Ribs however can crack top 3 ribs in the city
The fine Lumache with spicy beef and mint is now part of the pasta tasting menu. At lunch time its available in the form of Pappardelle. And I presume those Capellini a la Fideos is still that same toasty, apple cider infused goodness. The only thing missing from the menu is that sick Skate with brown butter I had last year. More goodness on the dessert column. Olive oil cake with candied fennel greatly enhanced by a zesty orange sauce, while people around us going gaga over the the Apple tart.
Ladies and gents, I’m giving out my first 4 Z’s. Its essentially the equivalent of giving my virginity to that special someone at my age. Big Mazal Tov to the Nishi family. I expect to get invited to the party and see those silly Zagat Rated stickers on the window replaced with this Z rating in no time.
Nishi
232 Eighth Avenue (22nd), Chelsea
Rating: Four Z’s (out of 4)
Stars range from Good to Exceptional. Simple as that
Recommended Dishes: Everything!
You may as well forget everything you know about Ikinari, the latest Japanense import to hit the streets of NYC. The gimmick of standing while eating quickly caved in to stressed out New Yorkers. While thousands of runners are running the NY marathon as we speak, the rest of us creatures of habit having major difficulties coming to terms with the idea of eating while standing. Eating while walking is acceptable. Standing, not so much.
It’s Michelin Star season. When gracious winners throw parties to celebrate, while the losers and pretty much everyone else in the industry celebrate its awkwardness. Its the behemoth that everyone enjoys hating. In NYC two, and three stars are distributed with care while single stars are distributed like Halloween candy. My mother turns out has one. Some lose their hard earned stars within a year or two only to find themselves suddenly a lot more affordable (Bib Gourmet) while sporting the exact same menu that earned them the star. Should you look at Michelin for your French, Sushi and the default “New American” menu needs? Maybe. Should you look for it for Italian, Thai, Russian or [Name any other cuisine] needs? Nyet!
Taco Wednesday (or is it Tuesday), taco month, national taco day. I lose track sometimes, and I never discriminate. I once even had an Al Pastor on a Thursday, a designated personal soup day. I did not enjoy it. But is there a governing body that registers all these national days? Are all 365 days already taken, or can things overlap. For example, can we add a National Shakshuka day on a day that just happens to be a National Chihuahua day. Personally I dont see why Shakshukas and Chihuahuas cant be combined, but I can see the need for a limit of some sort as eventually the list will become too tedious to maintain its usefulness. Do Chihuahua even eat Shakshuka? I bet Sabra Chihuahuas do.
The Financial District just got “a bisele” more interesting. Well, a lot actually. If you notice I dont even have a space for Financial District on the blog, which means I’ve never actually written about anything in that area. Even the foodie desert of Staten Island outnumbers it 3-0. Well you do have Eataly, Brookfield Place, a Nish Nush branch, some nifty food trucks and a dead rabbit. So when its time to recommend a place after taking selfies with the Bull’s private parts, its actually fairly easy due to lack of many options. I myself get attracted to the north, Tribeca.
Culinary Slowdown. Its a real first world problem. Its when a food enthusiast wakes up one day realizing he hasnt eaten anything noteworthy in days or weeks. Its when a food writer suddenly experiences difficulties coming up with new ideas and writes only about pizza for two weeks! Its when you sit in a restaurant with your spouse after a mini hiatus and the spouse gives you that “you know, we could have been anywhere” look. I’ve been there before.
Its a girl! Marta, the NoMad Roman powerhouse, and a staple of the 
Eating With Ziggy 