It's no surprise that chef tables at restaurants like Aldea, Wall & Water, and Brooklyn Fare have proven wildly successful; in the age of Top Chef, everybody wants to be close to the action. And if the seating's extremely limited, all the better: New Yorkers will fight for a reservation like stage moms at an open call for an American Girl commercial. We can now add Tribeca restaurant and cocktail bar Compose to the city's list of exclusive, intimate dining experiences. Opening tomorrow, the restaurant will serve a mere ten precious diners a night, making the 12 seats at Momofuku Ko seem like some plebeian walk-in cafeteria.
Chef Nick Curtin (Noma) will offer an 8- to 10- course tasting menu that changes daily according to market availability. The whole shebang costs $120, and for an extra $80 you can get cocktail pairings with each course. We're told diners can expect "innovative twists on classic flavors," such as Sous Vide Scallop with Fennel Puree; fall entrees might include Razor Clams with Almond Broth and Green Tea Oil and Foie Gras with Black Pepper Chocolate. The cocktails are, of course, made with juice squeezed fresh to order, and "dead clear ice" hand cut to fit each glass by Okamoto Studios. Compose also offers a daily cask conditioned ale, and an extensive wine list with over 300 selections that will rotate through the cellar’s 1500 bottles.
For those who don't secure a reservation through OpenTable or who just want to come in for a cocktail, Compose has seating for an additional twenty customers at snug banquettes nestled around the room. A bar menu, which offers more substantial portions than the tasting menu, includes options like Mussels, Seared Scallops, Duck Fat Popcorn, artisanal cheeses, and Bourbon Chocolate Pie.
Compose // 77 Worth Street // (212) 226-1444
