Eat at MoMA: The Bar Room at The Modern

The Bar Room at The Modern is a wondrous way to end your day at MoMA.  You can continue your appreciation of modern art in fabulous food form.  The setting is lovely -- modern (of course), lively, refined yet comfortable.  These are not words that often go together.

Combining things that don't often go together is a theme here.  Our drinks melded interesting ingredients fantastically.  Alba Rosso -- grapefruit, raspberry, cinnamon syrup, ginger ($8).  Lychee puree and soda ($7)

Fresh grilled shrimp with green cabbage and Gruyere salad ($17).

This was one of the more straightforward dishes we ordered.  "Fresh" was the perfect adjective indeed.

Warm lamb and goat cheese terrine with toasted pistachios and watercress ($16).

A bonanza for your taste buds!  Meaty!  Cheesy!  Nutty!  Leafy!

Alsatian buckwheat spaetzle with yellowfin tuna paillard crudo, roasted foie gras, pine nuts, black pepper gastrique ($25).

We were skeptical.  I read the description and thought, "Man.  That's just too much going on there."  But our server assured us that this was awesome.  "It's my favorite!  You have to get it!"  I loved it.  Loooooved.  And I loved her for convincing us.  Too much good stuff?  Not at all!  Decadence at its finest!

Maine lobster pappardelle au poivre with red pepper and mustard greens ($29).

Pretty classic and pretty spectacular.

Beer-braised pork belly with spring pea puree and ginger jus ($18).

Of course the pork belly was tasty, but the puree stole the show for me.  Smooth and dreamy.

Duck confit a l'orange with cauliflower and fingerling potatoes ($20).

A classic with some modern-ish plating.  Crispy, salty, tender, sweet, and tangy.  Everything you'd want from a dish like this.

Chestnut sundae with Bailey's ice cream, pecan biscuit, and caramel ($12).

OMG.  WHUT.  YEAH.

Raspberry macaron with almond mousseline, lychee yogurt gelee, and raspberry sorbet ($12).

A true work of art.  And it tasted great, too!

We were really happy with our dinner here.  If you're looking for an exquisite meal with lots of variety and creativity and without the stodginess of a formal dining room, this is the place for you.