You'll find this beautiful space formerly beloved as Montrachet has received a magnificent new facelift. Replacing an institution two decades in the making is no small task, but restaurateur Drew Nieporent's acumen with the Myriad Restaurant Group made the transition something of a no-brainer; after all, the group is responsible for some of the most successful restaurant ventures in the area, including the wildly popular
Tribeca Grill,
Centrico, and the various iterations of the celebrated
Nobu. An airy, casually elegant aesthetic exudes intimate style that further flavors the cuisine, with serenely-embossed walls of vines and leaves, spectacular vaulted ceiling, and earthy, natural-toned furnishings that are a comfort food in and of themselves.
So much has changed below Canal Street in the years since Montrachet had its first incarnation, and despite the economic downturn it seems likely Corton will flourish under the tutelage of the brilliant Paul Liebrandt. The menu draws from Aloxe-Corton and the surrounding Burgundy region, a thoroughly modern gathering of French classics tempered with a contemporary approach to technique and ingredients that result in an amazingly intense set of dovetailing flavors. Such attention to any area of France would be incomplete with the requisite wine list featuring highlights from Burgundy and Corton, which, in this case, is greatly augmented by an extended collection of first-rate wines from around the world, curated by sommelier Elizabeth Harcourt.
In addition to the regular menu, selections include a three-course prix fixe menu at $76 or a lavish seven-course tasting menu at a very reasonable $110. Pastry Chef Robert Truitt additionally brings flair and grace with his clever confections, like the classic brioche, a dark chocolate fondant, vacherin, and a cashew fruit tart.
