Frommer's Review
Chef Eric Ziebold's previous gig was as chef de cuisine at Napa Valley's The French Laundry, one of the most celebrated restaurants in the country. With that pedigree, it's no wonder that CityZen, opened in 2004, continues to fill tables nightly and chalk up awards, like its AAA five-diamond rating in 2007. Located in the deluxe Mandarin Oriental Hotel, CityZen's dining room is temple-like: cathedral ceiling, dimly lit, with a coterie of acolytes flitting back and forth between tables and kitchen. You choose among three prix-fixe menus: three courses for $75, a six-course vegetarian tasting menu for $90, or a six-course $105 tasting menu. Starting with an amuse bouche of fried mushroom with truffle butter; moving on to a grilled pork jowl with marinated French green lentils, micro watercress, and shaved foie gras confit; and further on to the crispy skin filet of Atlantic black bass served with Rancho Gordo shelling beans, CityZen chorizo, and baby leeks -- every taste is exquisite and out of the ordinary. Waitstaff bring intermission refreshments, such as olive oil custard topped with infused butter or ginger sorbet in homemade root beer. Only a food artist would think to create sensations like the cardamom-dusted orange cruller with kumquat marmalade and African amber tea sorbet. The restaurant's 800-bottle wine selection concentrates on bordeaux, burgundy, and California cabernet.
As mentioned in the review of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the hotel is in an odd neighborhood, off by itself in a sea of government buildings and construction. But it's worth finding your way here. Enjoy a drink first in the hotel lounge overlooking a landscaped terrace or in CityZen's handsome lounge and bar (with its amazing "wall of fire"). Dress nicely (no denim, shorts, or sneakers).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
