I know my long absence from this blog might have let a few of you readers wondering what the heck is going on? Well, as you have noticed since last week I have been complaining about school work, e.g. papers and tests, it’s making my fooding life has practically rendered to nothing. The only thing that is keeping me sane these days is blasting my iPod with Linkin Park’s songs. I’m feeling a bit burnt out but I’m bearing it…barely.
Anyways, as some or few of you might have known Landmarc has opened its doors in the Time Warner Building from various reports from Grub Street, Eater and Restaurant Girl on Monday. I went there today just because I heard their food’s good (the original establishment in TriBeca) and I need to treat myself with food (it’s a tough week).
I know that I should wait at least a week or so for any restaurant’s opening so that any errors in service and whatnot are usually solved and smoothed out. But since I was hungry and I don’t want to go for another round of Bouchon Bakery (which is practically right next door and I know you are sick and tired of me writing about their food). I just gone in and asked for a table for myself. I requested a seat near the windows, for obvious reasons that I want the most natural light possible to get some good food photos for you. My request was obliged but I was warned that it might be cold but I could bear it. Here’s the view out of the windows.
Looking at the corner of Central Park…
As I unfolded the menu, you’ll know what I mean once you see the photo, and perused the menu, I noticed that it’s the same exact lunch menu they have published on their own website.
My waitress came to my table and I ordered two appetizers: the roasted bone marrows and the goat cheese profiteroles. After she took my order and left me, I went on to take some interior photos.
One thing struck me is that there weren’t many patrons yet since it is a “new” restaurant and I don’t think the majority of the public knew about it; from this photo, you’ll see that there weren’t many diners here at the time of about 12:30 P.M.
When I first arrived to the third floor a bit earlier, Bouchon Bakery was packed with people. Anyways, my water was served after taking a few photos and here it is. I just find it a bit unusual that they would give me a carafe of water. It almost never happen to me whenever I eat out but it’s a welcome change.
My food came out approximately five minutes later. I requested them to come out at the same time. To my stupidity, I should have asked them to come out separately but whatever, I’m just hungry. Here’s the food.
I ate my Roasted Bone Marrows ($12) first.
Roasted Bone Marrows
It’s served with onion marmalade and slices of grilled country bread. I wasn’t expected a large portion like this would be served. To the public who fears or intimidated in eating animal parts, beef bone marrow is basically fat. You just eat the gelatinous, fatty, soft tissue in the center of the bones, as butter. It needed salt, which was served along the bones, and the onion marmalade brings a sweet, wine-y flavor to the party. The grilled country bread was chewy, crusty, crisp, and nicely charred that it imparted some bitterness that made all these flavors intriguing and delicious. This is hearty comfort food…in my world but obviously, I can’t eat this everyday before I’m clogging my arteries even further. Here’s some food porn on this. Trust me, try this from either this place or anywhere that can prepare animal innards well, and you’ll be hooked.
Marrow on grilled country bread
Marrow + onion marmalade on grilled country bread
The Warm Goat Cheese Profiteroles ($10) were room temperature by the time I gotten to eat it. At first glance I already have issues with it, and it’s not about the temperature of the food. I only have three profiteroles and paying $10 does not justify that price tag. I might as well stick with Artisanal‘s basket of gougeres for $8.50. And later I found out later that one of those profiteroles weren’t filled at all. The salad was nicely dressed but nothing really remarkable to note about. Here’s the photos of the profiteroles.
The plate
Innards
Even though I had those issues, they tasted pretty good. The salty, slightly pungent, tangy goat cheese worked well with the slightly chewy profiterole.
I didn’t bother telling my server my issue with the unfilled profiterole since I have been ignored for over ten minutes after I finished my appetizers. By the time she came back to my table, she asked if I wanted anything else. I requested dessert, the “one of everything.” As I waited, the table across from mine had the same and a large mound of cotton candy on the side. Same goes to the party sitting behind me. To my disappointment, I was not served the cotton candy. But at least I got my desserts ($15). Here’s the dessert flight.
I started off with the Blueberry crumble.
This was really good. The crisp, buttery topping meld so well with the warm, tart blueberries.
The Crème brûlée was next.
Spooned…
This was wonderfully creamy. The thin burnt sugar crust gave it an added sweet bitterness to this velvety smooth vanilla custard. This is one of my favorites from this tasting.
The Nutella éclair…
Another view of the éclair
I had some high hope that the éclair would be any good as the goat cheese profiterole but it turned out to be a soggy, chewy, slightly tasteless puff pastry. After my first bite, I stopped eating it. It didn’t appealed to me and I was getting to the stage where my stomach is telling my brain that “I’m FULL,” so I need to save space.
Next up, the Tiramisu.
It’s awesome. The vanilla custard was thick, rich, and velvety. It didn’t have much of the rum-soaked ladyfinger or sponge cake, which I find it to be better since I love custard more than cake in a tiramisu. But there was a kick of espresso and rum once I hit the bottom of the cup. Another favorite.
The Chocolate mousse…
It was a luxuriously rich chocolatey (tasted like 60% cocoa solids used), smooh, slightly dense mousse. I’m swooned for this mousse. I’m lacking words to express my joy over this mousse.
Spooned Chocolate Mousse
Last but not least, the Lemon Tart.
The tart had a really tart, vibrant, refreshing lemon flavor with a nice flaky, crisp crust. I don’t usually like lemon desserts too often but I have to admit this is pretty darn good.
After I finished eating the tart, I paid my check. Unexpectedly, my waitress gave me my check when I was in the middle of eating dessert. Hmm…also they gave me some in-house made caramels with the check.
Caramels
When I actually ate one of those caramels, I find them too hard and chewy but the flavor was good and it’s just sweet. After I paid, I just walked around the place and take more interior photos just for the sake of being there and there isn’t that many people interfering except the occasional busboy, waitress, etc. who needs to pass by. Here’s a couple more photos…
Looks cool…the lamp, I’m referring to
View from the bar
Since this review in ways, shouldn’t be taken into grave consideration due to the fact that it is their second day of opening they do need to work a few bugs out, mostly in terms of service and for the food, I feel that they should serve at least another profiterole or two to make me feel that I’m getting what I’m paying for. So if Chef Marc Murphy and his staff are reading this, please address these issues. I’m planning to visit them for breakfast soon.
Addresss:
Landmarc Restaurant
10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
New York, NY
Nice, thanks for the review. I went there for breakfast yesterday and had to postpone my lunch…otherwise I would likely have run into you.
Care to have lunch sometime there?
Beautiful review; gorgeous pictures!
::: drool :::
Tina, you know how to order – apps and dessert! Beautiful photos as usual.
Hope school is slowing down a bit and allowing you to focus on the important things in life ;)
Thanks for the report! That food porn looks quite tempting. I’ve never had bone marrow before actually, I’ll have to try it.
Uhh CAN I GO WITH YOU?!
…Then again that would require waking up early. For that “breakfast” thing you speak of.
Ahhh.
I WANT THOSE DESSERTS! Except for the eclair.
oh god. i never had bone marrow in like FOREVER!! it IS meaty buttery, your photo alone made my stomach growl! hehe I need to move back sometime like right now! :)
To everyone (generally): Wow! I haven’t expected such a turnout for this particular post. Thanks for reading! Now to the individual comments…
Michael (BigAppleDiningGuide): You’re welcome! :) I don’t mind having lunch with anyone, actually…
Ellen: Thank you!
Doug: LOL! Thanks…I guess on ordering. Thanks about the photo comment. As for school, the work will temporarily slow down a bit after tonight.
Erika: You gotta try bone marrow! It’s REALLY good. Think in terms of foie gras but in jelly form.
Robyn: YOU CERTAINLY CAN!! Eh, I know you’re not an early bird like me…but we’ll make it work somehow.
Kathy: Hahaha! :D I love bone marrow, too! It’s so hard to find it in NYC, unless you know some restaurants who would cook that stuff…I’m craving for more animal innards ever since I ate the marrow. :/
good review
hope you read david lebovitz’s latest post an interview with diane jacobs
rgds pcm
The food looks good and at a reasonable price! I love eating bone marrows but sometimes it can taste a bit too fatty. I’d love to have lunch with you too! :)
Peter: I’ve just read it this morning. Hmmm…probably I should read Ms. Jacobs’ book.
Kay: I agree that bone marrows can be a bit too fatty but it’s not meant to be eaten everyday. I think of it like foie gras, it’s meant for certain occasions.
Woohoo…! Another person to go fooding with. :)
I’m excited to eat with you too!
My husband and I went to Landmarc for breakfast in the middle of May. Found the food good but a bit chintzy — we ordered the yogurt with granola and berries and received a huge bowl of yogurt with about three tbls. of granola and a handful of blueberries and strawberries. It was the service that bothered us the most — slow and faulty — with at least 6 waiters standing around, not one ever came to refill our water glasses or our coffee cups. I’d have thought that the waiters would have been better trained by then, almost three weeks after opening. I will go back but if they hope to become a successful neighborhood place as they are in TriBeCa, they should get on their toes.