The Foie Gras Queen’s Reign in 2017

Another banner year for the Queen of Foie Gras. Whether I had it as a torchon, a terrine, en croûte, seared, sautéed, roasted, poached, as a flavoring agent, or a component in a main course dish, I was amazed at how different each preparation was. As you’ll see, I’ve also included a few dishes that were made with other types of liver since for me, liver of any kind rules!

JANUARY

The Clocktower – Pressed Chicken and Foie Gras Terrine, Smoked chestnuts, Cranberries (Shared with Michael)

Eleven Madison Park (Michael’s Birthday) – Foie Gras Marinated with Black Truffle and Mushroom

NoMad – Whole Roasted Chicken for Two, Foie Gras, Black Truffle & Brioche with Pommes Purée and Baby Leeks

They gifted me a small pieces of seared foie gras (left side of plate).

FEBRUARY

Le Coucou – l’Entrecôte: Thinly Sliced Ribeye Seared on the Plancha, Relaxed Foie Gras

Sadly, this dish was very disappointing. The meat was tough and the foie had a strange texture and flavor.

The Clocktower – Quail and Pigeon Pie, Waldorf Salad with Truffle, Foie Gras Sauce (Shared with Michael)

MARCH

Cherche Midi – Pan-Roasted Foie Gras, Green Apple, and Homemade Brioche

Vaucluse – Marbré de Foie Gras: Rougié Duck Liver Terrine, Winter Fruits Confiture, Sourdough

Benoit – Charcuterie & Pâtés Selection with Potato Salad, Cornichons & Dijon Mustards (Shared with Michael)

APRIL

Benoit – Duck Foie Gras Terrine, Black Mission Fig Chutney & Parisian Brioche

Tillie’s – Chicken Liver Pâté, Chopped Egg, Saba, Challah

MAY

Majorelle – Seared Foie Gras with Grapes and Sauternes

>JUNE

Beatrice Inn – Duck & Foie Gras Pie, Cippolini Onions, Fingerling Potatoes, Tarragon Gravy(Shared with Michael & uhockey)

Le Coq Rico – Seared Foie Gras & Honey Crisp Apple, Cherry Vinegar Reduction & Almonds

This was one of several dishes shared during a lunch Michael and I had with uhockey, his g.f., and her son. So, I only got a very small taste.

Tocqueville (Anniversary Lunch) – House Cured Terrine of Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Rhubarb & Strawberry

Eleven Madison Park (Anniversary Dinner) – Foie Gras Torchon with Maple Syrup and Pain d’Epice

This dish was part of the Retrospective menu EMP served before closing for renovations.

NoMad – Whole Roasted Chicken for Two, Foie Gras, Black Truffle, and Brioche, with White and Green Asparagus

Yes, we had it in January. This time, seasonal change of accompaniments.

The Grill – Foie Gras with Onions

JULY

Majorelle – Chicken Livers with Corn

The Pool – Ribbons of Foie Gras(Shared with Michael)

AUGUST

The Grill – Goose Terrine

Chez Catherine – Ganache de Foie Gras, Roasted Blueberries, Pickled Peach, Baguette Crisp

Anton’s at the Swan – Chicken Liver Pâté, Mustard, Fruit Compote, Cornichons

The Modern Dining Room – Sautéed Foie Gras, Poached Rhubarb, and Pickled Ramps

Lincoln – Terrine of Duck & Foie Gras with Figs (Shared with Jen)

Fromagerie – Tournedos Rossini: Filet de Boeuf with Foie Gras & Shaved Truffles in Madeira Sauce (Shared with Michael)

SEPTEMBER

Vaucluse – Foie Gras Poêlé: Seared Hudson Valley Duck Foie Gras, Hazelnuts, Grilled Peaches, Sourdough Tuile

Gabriel Kreuther – Seared Sullivan County Foie Gras, Pickled Peaches, Popcorn Pudding, Mustard Seeds

Cherche Midi – Chicken Liver Parfait, Pickled Vegetables, Grilled Levain, Petite Salade

italienne at The James Beard House – “Autumn Thistle”: Potato Salad with Foie Gras, Black Truffles, Cardoons, and Crosnes

OCTOBER

Fusco – Duck Agnolotti, Haricots Verts, Foie Gras (Shared with Michael)

italienne – Autumn Salad: La Ratte Potato, Foie Gras, Castelfranco & Truffle Vinaigrette

Eleven Madison Park (My Birthday Dinner) – Foie Gras Marinated with Cabbage and Apple

The Modern Dining Room – Sautéed Foie Gras, Glazed Celery, and Roasted Corn Broth

Gabriel Kreuther – Seared Sullivan County Foie Gras, Roasted Quince, Sunchoke, Bourbon-Vanilla Gastrique

The Pool – Seared Foie Gras

This was shockingly dreadful. The foie was stringy and mushy. I sent it back. They prepared a new one. Better but still not perfectly executed.

NOVEMBER

Café Boulud – Seared Calves Liver, Champignon de Paris, Spinach Subric, Pommes Aligot, and Natural Jus

Eleven Madison Park (Thanksgiving) – Marinated Foie Gras, Black Truffles, and Endive

Le Coq Rico – Terrine of Foie Gras, Compote, and Gelée

The Modern Dining Room – Foie Gras Tart, Wild Huckleberries, and Sunflower Seeds

dbBistro Moderne – Assortiment de Charcuterie (Michael and I shared it.)

DECEMBER

Le Coucou – Beef Cheek and Foie Gras Terrine, Sherry Vinaigrette (Michael and I shared it.)

Le Coucou – ‘Choucroute’ à la juive (for two): Duckling, Foie Gras, Daikon Radish Prepared Alsatian Style

The NoMad Bar – Chicken Pot Pie with Black Truffle and Foie Gras

Temple Court – Pot au Feu: Short Ribs, Squab, Foie Gras, Bone Marrow, Winter Vegetables, and Black Truffle

Gabriel Kreuther – Foie Gras Terrine & Pistachio Praline, Medjool Date Jam, Strega, Fennel Pollen Waffle

The Modern Dining Room – Foie Gras Tart, Whipped Honey Vinegar, and Toasted Oats

Eleven Madison Park (New Year’s Eve) – Foie Gras Marinated with Black Truffle and Endive

Yes, the same foie gras we had on Thanksgiving. Not that it’s anything to complain about….

So, that’s the Foie Gras Queen’s year that was. In 2016, the dishes numbered 34; in 2017, I upped it to 46. No question, then, that I retained my crown. Looking forward to continuing to rule in 2018.

Tags: Foie Gras, Foie Gras Queen, Queen of Foie Gras, The Foie Gras Queen in 2017