Opening tonight in the former AQUA space, here’s a look at the menus at ~MICHAEL MINA~. For lunch at the bar, there is an extensive menu of apps like smoked sea trout blini, crème fraîche, American caviar ($14); crispy Dungeness crab “BLT” with charred tomato, jamon serrano ($12); steak tartare of hand-chopped tenderloin, and quail egg ($11); and grilled blue prawns paella arancini, with piquillo aïoli ($9). Mains include a Japanese hamburger on a housemade sticky bun, with kabocha squash fries ($18) and slow-roasted leg of lamb fattoush salad with Niçoise olives ($17). There is also a chef’s daily small plate tasting menu ($39).
For dinner, high rollers can start with some caviar or chilled shellfish, or there’s a variety of hors d’oeuvres for $18 per person (foie gras PB&J, cured ocean trout, quail egg sandwich, prawn paella, and bay scallop ceviche). Starters include geoduck and pork belly with watercress, pumpkin purée, and vadouvan curry ($18); a tasting of provincial shellfish and uni toast ($18); and Wolfe Ranch quail with harissa glaze, pita panzanella, and Iranian pistachios ($19). (Yes, the tuna tartare is on there, for $19). The kabocha squash soufflé with black truffle cream ($14 per person) also caught my eye. Mains include a duo of Pacific fish, lobster vinaigrette, hearts of palm, and Thai basil ($39); a truffle-stuffed Jidori chicken with cockscomb fricassée and Castelmagno mac and cheese ($32); Brandt Farms beef cap, porcini marmalade, red orach, and pommes dauphine ($46); and the option to go for a five-course tasting menu ($95).
Cocktails range from $10-$12, and include the Bar Bancourt, with Barbancourt 8-year-old rum, fig, lemon, and balsamic. For more details on the restaurant, read last week’s post. You can view a slideshow of the interior on Grub Street here.
Interior photo by Drew Alitzer.
