Aquavit **
- Kira Jabri
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
A recent work trip to New York City gave us the opportunity to explore a few new dining destinations, one of them being Aquavit the two-Michelin-starred restaurant since 2015, known for its refined, modern Scandinavian cuisine.
We were especially excited for this reservation because Scandinavian dining is still a relatively new chapter in our culinary journey. Our first true introduction came through Elske, and that experience sparked a curiosity to continue learning so we thought it would be fun to compare the two.
As longtime supporters of anyone named Emma, we naturally knew Chef Emma Bengtsson would more than delivered. She did, Team Emma!
From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. We were in the city for work with an early morning ahead, so we especially appreciated how we could control the pace of the evening.
The food carried a, “hearty elegance”. Since “Everything is Better with Caviar”, you already know we were thrilled by the caviar and potato pairing a dish that delivered comfort and luxury in equal measure.
There was also one bite so memorable we had to photograph it, knowing we would revisit
the image again and again. The bread and butter course paired with a bite of halibut and celeriac, finished with a touch of caviar, created one of those fleeting perfect moments that reminds you why fine dining can be so special. Balanced, rich, delicate, and deeply satisfying.
And then came dessert.
Aquavit’s signature Arctic Bird’s Nest deserves every bit of praise it receives. The moment it arrived, it was impossible not to admire its beauty. But beyond the visual impact, it was simply delicious, whimsical, elegant, and simply stunning.
What we appreciated most about the overall menu was its balance. Even for those of us who could be considered professional tasting menu diners (if such a thing exists), tasting menus can feel overly heavy when overdone. Here, we left feeling exactly right.
Aquavit delivered and perhaps next time… the Emma's can meet.
