Peachy Picks Pera
Earlier, Whom You Know featured Pera in Tasty Tidbits:
We are pleased to announce it has graduated to Peachy's Picks! Last night Peachy Deegan went to bed with visions of crabcakes dancing in her head. It is absolutely no wonder why as the exquisite dish was among the greatest hits of Pera for our dining panel:
The crab was fresh and succulent and these crabcakes are among the best we've had. Although we understand they are not a menu regular and were a special, we vote for them to become a regular. Pan-seared with king oyster mushrooms and ragu of fern, they were so fabulous and deserving of a permanent menu spot.
Pera is the first restaurant we have recommended of Mediterranean cuisine, and we were impressed. As you may recall we reviewed a book that promoted this kind of diet:
From the minute Alex Esler began her outstanding service to the conclusion of the review, every panel member was enthused about Pera's standout unique cuisine that will not disappoint you either. Alex was consistently gracious, attentive and knowledgeable and we recommend you request her when you make a reservation at Pera. We began with small plates and mezes, followed with salad, entree with sides and finally dessert. Though we did not have the opportunity to meet the chefs, Co-Executive Chefs Jason Avery and Sezai Celikbas did amazing work the entire night. Daryl Swetz was on hand to ensure everything was spectacular down to the last detail. Pera exudes class and the ambiance was perfect.
The Grilled Shrimp Tabouleh Salad, shown below, was a knockout that included coarse bulghur, cilantro, mint, red onion, tomato and red and green peppers. Of course, the fresh shrimp dazzled on top. Unlike ordinary salads, this was extraordinary.
As she is a seafood enthusiast, Peachy Deegan ordered the Jumbo Diver Sea Scallops that were uniquely prepared with perfectly seasoned brussel sprouts, lamb bacon and dates. Another example of how the regular is truly dressed up at Pera, the Jumbo Diver Sea Scallops will dive into your favorites on your list of Manhattan foods. And if you are a commuter to Grand Central, Pera is ideal for you as it is only steps away from the Terminal. Madison Avenue between 41st and 42nd streets is so hustle and bustle you may not realize what a true gem Pera is until you dine there! Of the side dishes, the Mediterranean Fries and Mixed Greens were Peachy's favorite as the flavor was distinctly superior. If you like lamb, there is lamb galore all over the menu and you will find a multitude of ways you can enjoy it at Pera. During the dinner Peachy drank Veuve Clicquot Rose, which we previously have recommended and the only way she would have enjoyed it more is if dear Mireille was there. (We can't wait for the release of her new cookbook!) The chocolate cake paired with whipped cream, chocolate sauce and pistachio gelato was a great finale.
Many people do like lamb, and they were included on the Whom You Know dining panel! The panel raved:
When I think of a Mediterranean restaurant, I imagine an ethnic restaurant with colorful carpets and Middle Eastern artifacts. Pera Mediterranean Brasserie located on Madison Avenue is far beyond that– it’s a modern, sophisticated, and cosmopolitan restaurant. Pera is a great place to meet friends for drinks since it has a spacious bar/lounge with a cocktail menu that features a drink for every alcoholic preference. I recommend the Pomegranate Cosmo and the Peratini. However, it is Pera’s well-rounded menu and friendly service that sets it apart from other equally trendy Mediterranean restaurants in the city.
Mediterranean cuisine is extremely diverse and dishes varied from restaurant to restaurant and perhaps, that is why it is not as popular as Italian or French Cuisines. Mediterranean Cuisine is the food of the regions around the Mediterranean Sea divided into three culinary regions: North African (especially Morocco, and if you want to stay in a hotel like this check out The Casablanca), eastern Mediterranean (Egypt, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey), and southern European (Italy, France, Spain). It is widely believed that Mediterranean Cuisine is particularly healthful because vegetables are widely used in dishes throughout the region. Onions, garlic, tomatoes, olives, eggplants, squashes, peppers, mushrooms, cucumbers, artichokes, okra, and various greens and lettuces are usually served as Mezes or small plates. Legumes too are ever-present in Mediterranean dishes: lentils, chickpeas, fava beans in Egypt, green beans in France, white kidney beans in Tuscany. Fresh herbs include rosemary, basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, dill, fennel, and oregano.
However, seafood and fish remain at the core of the cooking heritage. Smaller animals, like lamb, goats, sheep, pork, rabbit, and fowl, provide most of the meat. Sheep and goats give forth dairy for rich yogurts and cheeses. Beef, however, is rare in Mediterranean cuisine.
Pera’s Menu incorporates dishes from Turkey, Greece, and the Middle East. The menu is very easy to read and the descriptions of the dishes are written in plain English – ideal for a beginner. Meat eaters, fish lovers and vegetarians will find a tasty dish on Pera’s well designed menu.
When it comes to Mediterranean Cuisine I considered myself a beginner, so I was not ready to take big risks. As a small plate (appetizer), I ordered the ROASTED WHIPPED EGGPLANT which was served on a deep side dish and garnished with a dash of extra-virgin olive oil. I am a big fan of eggplants and this was the first time this dish was not salty or too smoky. It was as soft as butter! It complemented the square airy and soft pita bread which was served in a basket along with feta cheese. Then, I ordered the traditional MAROUL SALAD made of shredded romaine hearths, dill, scallion, feta cheese, lemon and extra-virgin olive oil. It was lemony, light, and extremely fresh. The feta cheese did not overpower the other ingredients. It’s a perfect salad for the spring and summer.
As my main course I had to have the BABY LAMB CHOPS, shown below, just seasoned with extra-virgin olive oil, sea salt and Turkish paprika. No fancy presentation was required because the lamb chops were grilled to perfection and simply served on pita dough. They were delicious!! I recommend trying them with the BULGHUR PILAF and the SAUTEED SEASONAL MUSHROOMS. It was a large portion and it’s worth its price. For dessert I went with the BAKLAVA and I was not disappointed.
Pera Mediterranean Brasserie exceeded my expectation and changed they way I had perceived Mediterranean restaurants to be. Also, the service was exemplary.
The beautiful Pera is located on Madison Avenue, conveniently right around the corner from Grand Central Station. When you entered through the large glass doors you are warmly greeted by a hostess. Next to the hostess station is a uniquely designed hidden coat closet. The interior oozes elegance. Warm earthy tones and vibrant colors surround the restaurant. The walnut walls are warm and inviting. It really felt very intimate, although the restaurant has a large seating area, but cleverly designed.
Pera derives its name from a beautiful area in Istanbul. Here they offer authentic Mediterranean cuisine lead by specialty cooks from Turkey.
We were warmly greeted in the bar area by Shelley who represents Pera. Once we were seated in the middle of this elegant setting you cannot help but notice the walls of wine.
Alex Esler was our fantastic, attentive waitress for the evening. No detail went unnoticed; she attended to all our wishes with the utmost grace and charm.
With an extensive cocktail list, you are sure to find a wonderful drink. The Apricot Margarita is a signature cocktail at Pera.
Small triangles of Pita Bread were served in the centre of our lavish table. On the side was a small glass bowl of crumbled goat’s cheese. As the bread was warm, the tradition is to break it apart and spoon a little cheese inside. The cheese slightly melts within the warm bread and the taste is just incredible.
The menu consists of many signature mezes for appetizers. With a huge range to choose from, whether you are a meat lover or vegetarian, there is something for everyone.
To start I opted for the special for the evening, a fresh crab cake. One of my usual favorites at any restaurant, but this beat them all. Jumbo chunks of crab; pan seared with ragu fern arrived accompanied by a creamy oyster mushroom sauce. The combination of flavors blew my mind. Although creamy, it was a light dish that just melted in my mouth.
For salad I chose the Maroul, shredded romaine hearts with small crumbs of feta dressed with a light extra-virgin olive oil, this really cleansed my palate and left me highly anticipating my main course.
The main course dishes focus their attention on many marbled grilled meats. The meats are cooked on a 10-foot open flame grill. Consequently the fat is burned off the meat, leaving a flavorful, wholesome meat. For non meat lovers, there is a huge selection of fishes to choose from and many vegetarian options.
I choose to have the whole fish of the day, shown below. The fish is initially delivered to the table whole, head to toe. Should you wish to then have the chef filet the fish you can. I chose the latter option and was extremely delighted with this sea bass. Light in texture, simple but mouthwatering, Pera will not disappoint. A side of Mediterranean Fries and you will not want to stop. The salty, perfectly crispy fries are a perfect accompaniment to any of the dishes. I was also happy to try Pera’s signature fresh lamb “adana”. The lamb is hand ground daily, the fat is removed and then the lamb is marinated for around 6 hours. Once cooked on the open flame grill, I was left trying lamb that never tasted as incredible as I had before.
The whole experience in Pera was luxurious. Thank you to the manager Daryl Swetz, who stopped by our table throughout the evening to ensure our table, was perfectly happy with the whole experience.
No dessert for me, but I highly recommend if you have no room left, order a wonderful latte that absolutely completed and satisfied my appetite.
Turkish cuisine is known to be one of the world's top three dishes, and Pera is one of the finest I've had recently in the realm of mediterranean restaurants. Great food with mostly reasonable prices, Pera is a standout favorite in this ethnic group. If you love lamb meat, there are lots of exotic choices from small plates to the Brasier. Today we tried the Pera's signature fresh lamb "Adana" -just like its name, the freshness of the lamb meat marinated with eastern mediterranean spices. It's definitely a signature dish and one you don't want to miss. The ambiance was superb, so was the service of the friendly staff. I strongly recommended today's special: The Jumbo Lump Crabcake bedded with ragu fern sauce; it was a pleasant suprise for me that the crabmeat was super jumbo, and the sauce really makes this dish feel like you're having Turkish food. The whole fish of the day was Sea Bass prepared with roasted garlic, tomato and lemon. It was just perfect pairing with the side dishes roasted whipped eggplant, sauteed seasonal mushrooms and mediterraean fries. The cocktails list was just as creative as the lamb dishes, my favorite drink of the day was the Blood Orange Gimlet. You can not leave Pera without trying their famous middle eastern desserts. Daryl Swetz the manger at Pera recommended the künefe, a very fine vermicelli-like pastry used to make sweet pastries and desserts. It is sometimes known as shredded phyllo. It was so exoticly delicious, I even brought one back home with me and it took all my willpower not to eat it for breakfast. I would certainly recommend this restaurant to everyone who has a fever for Turkish food, in my opinion, it was one of the best by far in NYC. Whom You Know enthusiastically recommends Pera! 303 Madison Avenue (bet. 41st & 42nd streets) New York, NY 10017 TELEPHONE: (212) 878-6301 |
