Standing right in front of the ICONIC Brasserie Les Halles Park Avenue window, located on NYC’s Upper East Side

*NOTE*: Les Halles did not ask me to write this blog post. I am glad a Friendly Foodie & Yogini, who enjoys sharing her foodie and yoga adventures with others! Photos captured with an iPhone 5s, and were edited with Instagram and Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended.

I saved the best post for last! The reason why I wanted to visit New York City in the first place: to dine at Brasserie Les Halles Park Avenue, where Anthony Bourdain used to be Executive Chef.

Eventually, he wrote an article in a newspaper, that earned him a book deal- the book was Kitchen Confidential. Next came a book tour, and then, his first T.V. show (A Cook’s Tour on Food Network. Yes, Bourdain was originally part of the network that he pokes fun of to this day). Then, it was Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and The Layover with Anthony Bourdain, both on Travel Channel. These two shows made him a bonafide Food and Travel Star.

Of course, Bourdain went on to star on The Taste on ABC and Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown on CNN. Despite all his fame, he has never forgotten his job at Les Halles. The owner has been featured in both A Cook’s Tour and No Reservations. The dearly departed Carlos was featured several times, mainly on No Reservations, and once on The Layover.

Anywho- enough about Bourdain; time to talk food!

The first two courses of my dinner at Les Halles! If you look in the upper right-hand corner, I shared a roasted brie crostini, with honey and black pepper. The main dish was duck, with fig, creme fruit and heirloom tomatoes (I think this might of been one of that night’s specials).

I must say, the crostini was amazing, and this duck dish was the best duck dish I’ve EVER had!

Main course: P.E.I. Mussels with saffron!

Until this dinner, I had only had mussels at The Olive Garden; I am VERY happy to report that these mussels were MUCH better. As of matter of fact, they were THE best mussels I’ve EVER had!

Close-up shot of the P.E.I. Mussels

BEST French fries I’ve EVER had in my entire LIFE!

I know Bourdain thinks Bouchon makes better fries. Since I haven’t tried the French Fries at Bouchon, I can’t say if that’s true, but the French Fries at Les Halles were THE best French fries I’ve had at this point on my life. Also, they were perfectly paired with the mussel sauce!

My dessert at Les Halles: frozen espresso mousse

Even though the presentation is impeccable, the taste was good, but not great.

Close up of this beautiful dessert

 

Well there you go, folks! Thanks for reading my #LauraLovesNYC posts!

Next up on the blog: brunch at The Vandal, in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh!

 

-Friendly Fitness Foodie

 

Les Halles Park Avenue’s website

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