Eating New York: Atera

Dining Area

Yuzu, Lime, and Ginger Cocktail (Non-Alcoholic)

Toasted Crain Broth and Collard Greens

guanciale, winter greens, brassica oleracea

Fluke and Rose Hip

broth of blossoms, rosa cantina

Trout Liver

fresh apple, brown butter

Smoked Trout

pork fat

Amaranth Toast

smoked roe, tartar sauce

Razor Clam

garlic, almond

Surf Clam

chicken gel, radish

Dumpling and Meyer Lemon

chicken, shrimp

Geoduck

lardo, air baguette

Rye Bread and Cheese Butter

Cheese. Butter. *heavy breathing*

Scallop

scallop mousse

Maine Lobster and Chamomile

onion gel, matricaria recutita

Lobster Roll

yeast, meringue

Sourdough Roll basted with Pork Fat

The most glorious bread I've ever eaten

Mackerel

rice, mushroom

Oyster and Murcott Mandarin

salt-baked turnip, rice, and citrus reticulata

Halibut

black walnut, green tea pil pil

Fried Halibut Skin

Hush Puppy

smoked yolk, pickled corn

Sourdough Bread with Fennel

Roasted Duck and Fennel

pickles, duck jus, foeniculum vulgare

Duck Chip

ragu

Sorbet

lime, mandarin, grapefruit, blood orange

Tea Service

Almond

white chocolate

Cheesecake and Burgundy Sorrel

winnimere ice cream, oxalis triangularis

Yogurt

marshmallow, brown butter

Sweet Potato Doughnut and Yuzu

sugar, citrus curd, citrus ichangensis

Jelly Kumquat and Mezcal Macaron

Black Walnut and Milk Duds

Black Walnut

Goodie Bag

Atera is the best restaurant I have ever been to. It earned 2 Michelin stars within 7 months of opening, and I have no doubt that it will earn its 3rd star this year. The food and presentation was absolutely incredible, the atmosphere was authentically cool, and the service was so charming I couldn't stop smiling during my entire meal. 

Dress code is casual chic. There was one guy wearing a suit, but everyone else was in dark colored jeans. As long as you don't look sloppy, you're good to go.  The atmosphere is laid back yet classy. This isn't one of those restaurants where everyone is whispering amongst themselves and looking around nervously. Everyone is smiling, having a good time, and at times even getting to know the people who are sitting next to them. There's even a super cool music playlist they have that plays during the meal (think upbeat rock). 

Atera is intimate, as it only seats 18 people each seating. There are two seatings a night--6:30 and 9:30. Because of their limited seating, if you cancel within a week of your reservation, you are charged the full meal price + tax ($212.31) for a no show. Everyone is presented the same tasting menu ($195). They do their best to accommodate any allergies or dietary needs one may have. The couple next to me were pescatarians and there were minor changes made to the dishes that included meat. They raved about their meal and I even heard one of them proclaim that it was the best meal he's ever had. At the beginning of the meal, a waiter will ask if you would like to supplement your meal with a caviar dish, which I believe was available for an additional $45. Before the dessert courses begin, you will be asked if you would like tea, coffee, or wine. I chose tea and I highly recommend it! The tea service was amazing and you could tell the waiter was passionate and knew his stuff about the Taiwanese tea he was pouring for me. 

Looking back on the dishes, there was not one that I didn't enjoy. I don't know how I did it, but I finished every last bite of all the 20+ courses. Everything was so good! The desserts really blew me away. I find that at some restaurants, the dessert courses are delicious, but not necessarily memorable. At Atera, I can remember in detail all the dessert courses and how phenomenal they were. My favorites were the cheese ice cream, the black walnut, and the almonds. A perfect finish to the best restaurant experience I've had.