THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Brasserie Ruhlmann Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Brasserie Ruhlmann Restaurant Review:

The plush burgundy banquettes, brass rails, wall friezes and dark wood that make up the Art Deco furnishings of this Rockefeller Center restaurant may be a nod to the eatery’s namesake, architect Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. But for the discriminating eater, the décor also makes a perfect setting for the French fare. Laurent Tourondel’s menu, at first glance, doesn’t exactly dazzle with its standard brasserie offerings: steak au poivre, grilled branzino, and Black Angus burgers. But slip your knife through the thin, crispy skin of the roasted free-range chicken into the ultra-tender meat, and you’ll feel the difference. Inventive it’s not, truly authentic and high quality it is. Just be sure to save room for dessert, which is where Ruhlmann shines; the creamy hazelnut Paris Brest will linger in your memory.