La Grenouille NYC

This morning on my way to work I stopped off to check out the new flowers at la Grenouille and they were beyond beautiful. Charles was hard at work arranging everything and had his favorite bloom. Here it is. It looks like a cross between a rose and a tulip but it is in fact a renonule.
Here is the link to the website for more info La Grenouille

La Grenouille NYC

Just in case you were wondering what the flowers looked like this week at La Grenouille here is a snap I took on Tuesday. Have you had lunch upstairs there yet? So yummy and less formal than downstairs. Men do not have to wear jackets and there is a special prix fixe.

La Grenouille NYC

Sometimes it is just one simple moment that defines a day, but even the simplest of moments can takes hours of preparation.
This week I had a chance to go behind the doors at la Grenouille that lead to that mysterious place were the magic is created that tantalizes the taste buds. Tonight I did not venture into the world of chefs and waiters doing their duet. I was doing my own job, camera in hand. And in a quiet second as the guests were enjoying the food and each others company I took a moment to take this photo that in my future memory will define this day.

La Grenouille NYC

Today I went up town to La Grenouille to take some photos. Yes I know it is a restaurant but to me is more than that. When I go there I always feel like Alice in Wonderland. Instead of falling down a rabbit hole all I have to do is walk up the narrow stairs and I am transported into another world.
Today there was a lunch for a private client. There was one long table with so many things magically woven together.
There is a wooden bowl that always has something different in it. Today it was filled with walnuts.
After I finished photographing I went down stairs and enjoyed a truly delicious meal and wouldn't you guess, when I was served the cheese there were the freshest walnuts waiting to be popped into my mouth.

Here is the link to the website for more info La Grenouille

La Grenouille NYC

It has been a very busy couple of days with hardly any time to stop and think. Last night after photographing a family portrait I headed over to photograph a private dinner at La Grenouille.
Fall is in the air and I could not wait to see the private dinning room and the flowers. Charles, who took over the restaurant in 1975 from his father has carried on the family tradition of doing the flowers himself each day. They always reflects both his whimsey and the season.
I ran up the stairs and the first thing I saw was the wooden bowl with pumpkin and squash in it.
The tables were beautiful. There were lots of roses and orange ball like flowers. I asked their name and they are called Japanese lanterns.
The dinner was classic and elegant. There was a tiny taste of pea soup followed by Lobster and Tarragon Ravioli. Next came Roasted Lamb Chops with Rosemary and tiny vegetables.
To finish the dinner off there was a fabulous Ice cream treat. There was a gasp in the room when the waiters came in carrying La Bombe Glacee. After showing it off the Maitre'D flambéed the Macerated Fruits with Kirsch and poured it over the Milk Chocolate and Caramel Ice Cream.
No one left a morsel of food on their plates and every one left feeling happily restored.
Here is the link to the website for more info La Grenouille

La Grenouille NYC

Yesterday was the first day of fall as I was reminded by Charles at La Grenouille.
I was there at lunch time to photograph a private party.
After a very long taxi ride through the crazy streets of Manhattan I arrived at the tranquil haven on 52nd St where the flowers always make me feel like I am in a country home far from the city.
There were roses on the tables but my favorite were the lilies hidden in corners to be found like a treasure hunt as I explored the space. Every nook and cranny has something to inspire me.
This lilly was in a vase upstairs near the piano and I had to take a moment to capture it. It's colors seemed to signal the end of summer to me.
The guests lunched on chilled cucumber soup, fresh delicious salmon on a bed of lentils and an apple sorbet for desert with a surprise of lemon curd in the bottom of the glass.
It was light and perfect for the guests who had to venture back to their offices and the traffic that they had forgotten about during the precious time they had spent eating wonderful food in such special surroundings.


Here is the link to the website for more info La Grenouille

La Grenouille NYC

It started with the peaches. They were in an organic shaped wooden bowl just inside the door. They captured my attention and I could not pass them by with out taking a photo. They were lush and velvety, a perfect summertime fruit.
Tonight I went to photograph a private dinner at La Grenouille.
I was early. It is easy to be early when I know there are things I want to take my time to photograph. The flowers were beautiful but it was the peaches that really inspired me first.
I photographed the space and then the guests arrived. They mingled and sipped cocktails while admiring the beautiful room.
When I was finished I was invited downstairs to sit at the bar where I was served the most delicious light tasty meal. The salad with tomatoes exploded fresh flavor with every bite. The salmon was crisp and light and was nestled on orange scented purple rice. It melted in my mouth.
I had asked for small helpings so I could make it to dessert and I was not disappointed.
First a little tray of petit fours was put in front of me followed by a water mellon granita topped with peach sorbet.
I stepped out into the humid heavy air feeling light as a butterfly. When no taxis came my way I happily walked for 10 blocks.
I love summer and I love the heat but most of all I love the peaches.
Here is the link to the website for more info about La Grenouille

La Grenouille NYC

Last night I photographed a private dinner upstairs at La Grenouille. The former artist studio retains its bohemian vibe and was a perfect choice of location for my out of town client who wanted the guests to feel at home. The food was wonderful. Yes I got to eat downstairs at the bar while the guest were eating upstairs. I ran up and down between mouthfuls to make sure I didn't miss anything and to burn some calories so I would have room for their famous Chocolate Souffle. Sadly I was so full at the end of the fish course that I never did make it to desert.
The flowers at Le Grenouille are famous and for good reason. Last night the theme was french country and there were flowers, fruit and lavender on every table.
If you want to have a party at Le Grenouille all you have to do is call Erin and she will take care of the rest.

Here is the link to the website for more info La Grenouille