We tried to get into DOM but were unsuccessful annd I'll try to plan ahead next time (for DOM or Mani). We were unable to order their complete tasting menu due to the lack of reservation (waited for a while to get a table), but the food was still very enjoyable and inspiring. We opted for the small tasting menu (which was a decent compromise and with the exchange rate a pretty decent deal). It did create a number of other thoughts however as to how differently each chef approaches their interpretation of cuisine, but perhaps more globally, the experience they want the guest to have.
The experience was along the lines of Coi (if I were to draw on analogous experiences), casual with flavors closer to Alinea's style.
The food itself had a number of new flavors which I always enjoy and the service was...........unexcitedly seamless. :-)
Yes, I would recommend, although I would recommend reservations. :-)
In order:
1. Bread basket with 2 cheeses and butter.
2. Cashew ceviche. Many flavors from top to bottom - started with fresh to savory and back to fresh.
3. Mandioquina gnocchi - The texture of Mugaritz Gnocchi made with a root vegetable (instead of cheese) and a light dashi broth.
4.Cocha fish marinated in vinegar for 24 hours. The texture was amazing. They said the fish is like sardines, but the technique turned it iinto tuna-steak like texture. Beautiful. Served over a tomato compote with a fruit seed (I forget the name) that cleansed the palate as you ate.
4. Squid Canneloni on black rice. Straight forward dish but the aroma was VERY salty but not the taste. This threw my colleague for a loop. Initially they thought it was salty. I asked them to eat it with the bowl away from them........"what happened, why isn't it salty now?" THAT was the coolest part of the evening from an experience standpoint.
5. Pork rib, apple and red cabbage . Straight forward and luxurious.
6. Cheesecake and Guava (I think) sorbet with caramel. Eating from left to right was quite nice savory to refreshing finishing each bite and the meal with a clean and refreshing feeling. Perhaps the most impromptu part of the meeting was right after I took this picture, my phone dropped on the desert............which means I had to chew even less. :-)
