When I looked at my calendar to see when I had last dined in The Bar at The Modern, I was amazed that it had been more than a decade. The city has so many incredible places to try, I had overlooked returning.

The Michelin-starred, Relais & Châteaux The Modern offers Chef Thomas Allan’s contemporary cooking in a setting overlooking MoMA’s Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden. The Bar, the less formal space, still offers the chef’s cuisine. We lucked out as they were still offering the “restaurant week” menu at The Bar with a choice of two courses ($45) or three ($60). A real bargain at The Modern!

My dining partner sipped their flavorful zero-proof Bitter Blueberry with an aperitif alternative, blueberries, yuzu, sparkling wine and cucumber ($19), while I sipped a glass of the Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc Old Vine Reserve Stellenbosch, 2024 ($20).

Their homemade dark rye sourdough bread with cultured butter from Normandy is irresistible!

I started with the two chickpea panisse topped with peekytoe crab and vadouvan curry, my dining partner, the
chilled tuna, marinated with shiso, peppers and aji verde. Both outstanding.

My dining partner had the monkfish roasted on the bone, summer squash and grapefruit vierge.

I indulged in their hand-cut tagliatelle with braised rabbit in a Meyer lemon sauce and arugula, and finished with Pecorino cheese. Amazingly succulent.  My only complaint was finding three (yes, three) bone fragments in the dish! I did mention it as they were clearing. I was a bit surprised that no one stopped by the table after that.

My dining partner indulged in their incredibly delicious chocolate marquise, toasted marshmallow and toffee, and I, of course, had a roving spoon!

I highly recommend

The Modern
Midtown
9 W 53rd Street
New York, NY, 10019
themodernnyc.com/the-bar-room-at-the-modern/