THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Celadon

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Celadon Restaurant Review:

This spot has seen a few incarnations over the years, the last being Yi Cuisine, a dark modern and elegant restaurant. With Celedon, the bar has simply been redecorated, a lounge with comfortable white sofas added, and rows of amber lights now flicker in the dining room. In the kitchen, a talented new team takes over. Chef Danny Elmaleh, born of a Japanese mother, Moroccan father and schooled in French cooking, has composed a menu integrating the three cultures. We're glad he is only doing small plates because we can try more of the internationally-flavored dishes. Start with the crudos, a tuna tartare, a grilled ahi pizza, and continue with the five-spice duck and foie gras (one of our favorites), and the Vietnamese sesame shrimp toast. Soups, salads and noodles work as an intermission before the fish or the meats. Then choose between saffron-braised monkfish and clams, grilled swordfish or roasted flat iron steak, plum braised short ribs or seared foie gras tartine. Better yet, go with a group and order all. The desserts are as interesting as the first part of the meal. There's black sesame custard, a trio of bananas (soufflé, tart and split), or warm chocolate soufflé. In fact, every dish is a winner; your choices need only be dictated by your tastes or your mood. The friendly and professional staff adds to the success of the evening (which comes at a very reasonable price) and will help you choose from the wine and saké lists.