Per Se ***
- Kira Jabri
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
New York, NY
Per Se offers one of the most magnificent views in Manhattan, overlooking Columbus Circle, with a glowing fire that sets the tone for this three-Michelin-starred gem from Thomas Keller, long before you take your first bite. We’ve had the opportunity to dine at Per Se more than once, and each visit feels truly magical.
Often referred to as the East Coast counterpart to The French Laundry, which is high on our list—we’re eager to eventually compare the two. We also recently visited The Surf Club, a more relaxed fine dining experience with equally impeccable service.
From the moment you step through the understated entrance and into the serene, blue-hued dining room overlooking Central Park, you’re immediately enveloped in a sense of calm sophistication. The service is comparable only to ballet in its grace. We say this sincerely: the service at Per Se is among the best we’ve experienced. Every gesture is choreographed but never cold. And then, the food begins to arrive.
Each course of the tasting menu unfolds with a balance of elegance and restraint. Here’s the progression of the tasting menu we enjoyed:
Golden Reserve Caviar
Salad of Norwich Meadows Farm Radishes
Hudson Valley Moulard Duck Foie Gras “Pastrami”
“Bread and Butter”
Atlantic Yellowfin Tuna “Tartare”
Stonington Sea Scallop “Poêlée”
Four Story Hill Farm Poularde
Prime Rib of Elysian Fields Farm Lamb
Charcoal-Grilled Miyazaki Wagyu
Aged “Comté”
“Tarte aux Poires”
Banana “Sherbet”
Manjari Chocolate “Pudding”
“Mignardises”
What truly set this visit apart was the rare and unforgettable opportunity to go behind the scenes to Per Se’s pristine kitchen. During our first visit, we were invited in after service when the restaurant had closed, and on our most recent visit, we experienced the kitchen in full swing. It was also fun to see Emma a year apart in the same spot, some families measure a child’s growth with a mark on the wall, but for EDM (Emma Does Michelin), it only seems right to track it with a yearly photo in the Per Se kitchen 😊.
The hospitality at a Thomas Keller
restaurant is nothing short of extraordinary. It was fascinating to witness the final touches on each plate, tweezers adjusting microgreens, sauces applied with perfect symmetry, proteins carved with reverence. The atmosphere in the kitchen carries a quiet intensity, almost sacred in its discipline and craftsmanship.
The kitchen itself is a marvel, spotless walls, gleaming counters, and complete order. A live feed streams The French Laundry’s kitchen, underscoring the sense of unity, detail, and shared pursuit of perfection across Keller’s restaurants. We even spotted Per Se’s kitchen displayed while dining at The Surf Club—proof that these kitchens are as connected in vision as they are in spirit.
From the amuse-bouche to the whimsical mignardises (don’t skip the coffee and doughnuts!), Per Se was nothing short of transcendent. But it’s not just the food, it’s the precision, the grace, and the commitment to excellence that make Per Se a true three-Michelin-starred icon.
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