What’s New in New York City: Llama Inn’s Tasting Menu, Jean Georges’ Revamped Jojo and David Laris’ Eden Local

Hi guys! If you’ve been following me on Instagram, you’ll notice that I’ve been in the USA– specifically, New York City (aka my favorite city in the world!)– for a few weeks now. In the city that never sleeps, there are a few “new” things I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing and I’d like to share them with you:

LLAMA INN’S TASTING MENU (Brooklyn)

One of my favorite restaurants in New York– Llama Inn in Brooklyn, helmed by chef Erik Ramirez,— recently launched their tasting menu, and it is a wonderful journey through Peruvian ingredients, priced at USD90 for the tasting (you have to reserve in advance!),  and an additional USD65 for wine pairing.

Peruvian chef Erik Ramirez worked at Eleven Madison Park and Raymi before opening his own Llama Inn in November 2015. (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Peruvian chef Erik Ramirez worked at Eleven Madison Park and Raymi before opening his own Llama Inn in November 2015.
(Photo by Cheryl Tiu)

For instance, their version of surf n’turf has lobster marinated in ahi panca, a local chili– served with veal hearts. I also really loved the caviar and lucuma (a Peruvian fruit similar to the yema in taste) meringue– a beautiful balance of sweet and salty.

Llama Inn's version of surf n' turf has lobster marinated in ahi panca, a local chili, served with veal hearts (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Llama Inn’s version of surf n’ turf has lobster marinated in ahi panca, a local chili, served with veal hearts (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
caviar and lucuma (a Peruvian fruit similar to yema in taste) meringue is da bomb-- a beautiful balance of sweet and salty (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
The caviar and lucuma meringue is da bomb– a beautiful balance of sweet and salty (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)

Cocktails here are done by the amazing Lynnette Marrero (Llama Inn’s Beverage Director), and I had the flying purple pisco— purple being the Peruvian purple potato purée for texture.

The Flying Purple Pisco cocktail by Llama Inn's beverage director Lynette Marrero is delicious! (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
The Flying Purple Pisco cocktail by Llama Inn’s beverage director Lynette Marrero is delicious! (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
With some of New York City's power women in food and media: Dana Cowin, Kate Krader, Marie Elena Martinez, and Llama Inn's Erik Ramirez and Lynnette Marrero
With some of New York City’s power women in food and media: Dana Cowin, Kate Krader, Marie Elena Martinez, and Llama Inn’s Erik Ramirez and Lynnette Marrero

50 Withers Street, Williamsburg, New York; +1 718-387-3434; info@llamainnnyc.com

JEAN-GEORGES’ NEWLY RENOVATED JOJO (Upper East Side)

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s 1st restaurant, Jojo (an Upper East Side mainstay since it opened in 1991) reopened just the last week of November 2017 with a face lift– a lighter, brighter, whiter and more streamlined-looking space- after a yearlong renovation since October 2016. Dishes have likewise taken a more casual twist, shifting to organic and farm-to-table like yellowfin tuna tartare in lettuce cups, peekytoe crab dumplings and butterscotch pudding. PS I love how champagne is served in a coupe, and it was great to see JG himself cooking that evening, too!

Say hello to the newly renovated (and much more modern) Jojo! (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Say hello to the newly renovated (and much more modern) Jojo! (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Champagne served in a coupe class, how adorable! (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Champagne served in a coupe class, how adorable! (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Jean Georges alwaays does tartare well like this lovely yellowfin tuna tartare in lettuce cups (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Jean Georges does tartare well like this lovely yellowfin tuna tartare in lettuce cups (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Jean-Georges Vongerichten with Michelle Hugo of Maison Hugo and myself at Jojo (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Jean-Georges Vongerichten with Michelle Hugo of Maison Hugo and myself at Jojo (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)

160 East 64th Street, near Lexington Avenue, New York; +1 212-223-5656

DAVID LARIS’ EDEN LOCAL (Midtown)

Midtown peeps: China-based Australian chef David Laris opened his 1st restaurant in NYC last month! Eden Local, located at the Cachet Boutique Hotel in Hell’s Kitchen, serves organic, farm-to-table, zero-waste dishes. My friends and I especially enjoyed the grilled octopus with chimchurri sauce and uses our Philippine calamansi (executive chef Frances Tariga is Pinoy!🙌🇵🇭) as a sofrito… and their triple-cooked fries (they come with the burger)! They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Eden Local, located at the Cachet Boutique Hotel in Hell's Kitchen, serves organic, farm-to-table, zero-waste dishes. (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Eden Local, located at the Cachet Boutique Hotel in Hell’s Kitchen, serves organic, farm-to-table, zero-waste dishes. (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
grilled octopus with chimchurri sauce and uses our Philippine calamansi (executive chef Frances Tariga is Pinoy!🙌🇵🇭) as a sofrito
Grilled octopus with chimchurri sauce and uses our Philippine calamansi (executive chef Frances Tariga is Pinoy!🙌🇵🇭) as a sofrito
Some of the most awesome fries: triple-cooked at Eden Local. They come with the burger normally. (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)
Some of the most awesome fries: triple-cooked at Eden Local. They come with the burger normally. (Photo by Cheryl Tiu)

David Laris and Filipina executive chef Frances Tariga in action! (Photo taken from Frances Tariga’s Instagram)

A post shared by Frances Tariga (@cheffrances) on

510 W 42nd St. New York;  +1 212-947-2999; info@cachetboutiqueNYC.com