Marea

I'm seriously thinking of changing the name of my blog to "Michael White Runs New York". He owns major restaurants in New York from Osteria Morini to Al Fiori to Marea. Ahh, Marea. The queen bee of White's mini empire; Marea is hitting on all cylinders. I have not found one bad review on this place. It's literally packed every night and most importantly the food is some of the best I've ever tasted. Marea is interesting because you can't really pin point the exact genre of this restaurant; some argue Italian, some say seafood, others say their steak rivals Lugers. But who really cares with food this good.

Starting with the crudo (raw fish) portion, we wanted to try things we haven't tasted before. We ordered the geoduck clam, pacific langoustine, and Hawaiian blue marlin. I would have to say the blue marlin was my number one. I would describe it as toro (fatty tuna, for the idiots out there) times ten. It was so rich in flavor, it melts in your mouth like butter. Crudo is meant to be small portions, but because they were all so flavorful, it almost makes you more hungry. But you shall not worry folks, next on the list is the antipasti with their famed lobster burrata. Sliced Nova Scotia lobster (Maine, who?) with creamy burrata, tomatoes, and basil. I'm ruined for life now. I'll never be able to have a "normal" mozzarella and tomato appetizer again.

Now we get to the baller section of the meal....the pastas! This is was White does. He makes pasta, and more pasta and ridiculous pasta. These pasta concoctions are sheer genius. Screw Zuckerberg and Obama, White is changing the world. If you order one thing when going to Marea it has to be the fusilli. Homemade fusilli with red wine braised octopus and wait for it.....melted bone marrow. While devouring through this dish, you will also find pieces of fatty bone marrow which gives it its final punch into greatness.

This restaurant isn't cheap (thanks Phil), but it's not supposed to be. Needs to keep the riff raff out. And we all know, there is riff raff everywhere. Everyone please vote tomorrow. Romney, awful. Obama, who? Michael White 2012...