Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆ ½

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$$

I recommend: Foie Gras, Fried Chicken, and Bread Pudding

The brothers Bromberg have created quite an empire with their brand of restaurants in New York City. It all began with Blue Ribbon in 1992.

Le Cordon Bleu trained, the brothers found early inspiration from their father and grandmother who loved food and travel.

The Blue Ribbon Bakery is one of those places, which transports you into the throws of comfort when you walk in. We were seated downstairs, next to their wood burning ovens where the bread is baked. The aroma of their deliciously fresh bread is wafting all around.

Their breadbasket is outstanding – you just can’t stop yourself from ripping into it and they have a bread pudding to die for.

I also LOVE that they bottle their own water.

The food is outstanding in parts and no dish is less than good. I have to say that I wasn’t blown away by the entire meal but I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.

Blue Ribbon is a New York classic that definitely warrants a visit.

Here is some of what we ate:

TOMATO BASIL SOUP

This soup was very flavorful but I did find it a little too creamy and heavy.

FOIE GRAS TERRINE

OMG! Never was a foie gras fan till now. It just melted in my mouth and the combination of the caramelized nuts and fruit chutney was so nothing short of ethereal.

GARLIC SHRIMP AND CHORIZO

This dish is one of their most popular appetizers but I was not impressed by it at all. I found it just all right – nothing in the combination or the flavors spoke to my taste buds or me.

MUSHROOM RAVIOLI

And more of that Bromberg brother’s brilliance. This dish was perfect.

FRIED CHICKEN

This might be one of the best fried chickens I have ever tried.

It is fried to perfection with a flawless light and crispy batter.

I also loved the bed of honey-mashed potato that is served on.

The combination was just brilliant.

GRILLED RED TROUT

This fish was impeccably crisped and flavored. Even though the dish looked simple, I found there were so many elements that came together beautifully.

The trout, the crunchy beans and mushrooms, the crispy almonds, the sauce and the surprise bits of bacon all melded to create a perfect bite each time.

HAMBURGER AND FRIES

DUCK CLUB SANDWICH

The duck sandwich didn’t blow me away but the waffle fries were melt in your mouth good.

The sandwich was good, the meat was great but it’s not something I would order again.

BANANA SPLIT

This was a really good banana split.

CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD PUDDING WITH HOT FUDGE

This has got to be the most unique bread pudding I have ever tasted. What I loved most about it is the bread retains its uniqueness throughout this dessert. It is not baked smothered in a sauce that reduces it into mushy soft goo. The bread in this pudding really stands out and holds it own and that is why I LOVE this pudding – it’s so unexpected.