The Modern
Restaurant · Midtown West
9 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019
Highlights
Two Michelin stars for French/New American fare with garden views.
Two Michelin stars for French/New American fare with garden views.
"The Modern is really two different experiences: the bar, and the dining room. The dining room is a beautiful, formal space overlooking the MoMa garden with a three-course prixe fixe menu. It’s fine dining for sure, and it’s incredibly good. The bar area is quite a bit different - it’s more relaxed, with an a la carte menu of share plates. You can get a seat at the counter, grab one of the low two-tops (which are frankly a little awkward if you actually want to eat), or even get a real table - all with the same A plus service as the formal dining room, even if the food isn’t as impressive. But really, this side of The Modern is best used for martinis after the museum, or fancy pre- or post-dinner drinks at one of the only great bars in Midtown. photo credit: Ellen Silverman The bar area is quite a bit different. It’s sleek, more relaxed, and on a good night, you’ll find some Action at the Bar. The plates are smaller and a bit more restrained, but you will still get A plus service and have a decent meal. We like the bar just fine, but what it really comes down to is this: That James Beard award didn’t get handed over for restraint and small plates. Chef Kruether is rocking a new neck accessory because of what’s happening in the dining room. It’s a top notch restaurant, but the bar can be a bit hit-or-miss, and if we’re doing it fancy, Eleven Madison park is more our speed. Food Rundown Hamachi Tartare The bar version of this with some radish and yuzu is fine, but what you want is the tartare in the dining room that comes served with a thin slice of watermelon. That’s where it’s at. Upside Down Tuna Tarte A tuna tartare, but with a thin, crunchy pastry sitting on top. Pretty tasty. Saffron Tagliatelle A nice, delicate pasta, though I expected this to have more flavor than it did. It’s fine, but it’s also an example of why you’re better off spending your money in the dining room. Homemade Alsatian Country Sausage Probably the best thing on the bar menu, this is an incredibly satisfying home made sausage. DBGB, take note. Dry Aged Strip Loin Sliced thin and served over spaetzele, this is an awesome bar menu option. Long Island Duck Breast We had some west coast duck at Eleven Madison Park a while back, and it was mind blowing. There is usually some duck on both menus at The Modern, and you should be eating it. Red Beet Risotto Ok. There is gold leaf in this dish, which is something you’ll see on a plate every once in a while in The Modern dining room. I would normally take this opportunity to make some sarcastic Goldschlager reference, but will skip it this time - just because this risotto is so good. Loup de Mer A really nice, light filet of Loup de Mer, a white fish. This will come with various things on the plate, depending on the season. I think ours had some mushroom action, and maybe a clam." - Katherine Lewin & Chris Stang
"The Modern is a fancy restaurant inside of MoMA, and it’s separated into two different rooms. The first area has a long bar, some lounge-y tables, and a semi-casual dining area. Walk-ins are accepted for this part of the restaurant, but you can also make a reservation. Stop by with your parents the next time you find yourselves staring at squiggles of paint on canvas in Midtown, and have drinks with some bar food that’s better than any bar food you’ve had." - bryan kim
"The Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Modern Museum of Art from Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group offers compelling cooking in a sleek dining room. Between lunch and dinner, prix fixe or tasting menus range from $115 to $275. Thomas Allan turns out dishes like diver scallop and venison, lobster with Provençal white asparagus and orange, and brûléed bread pudding with pear and solo di bruna for dessert. The bar also features a less formal menu with a deal like fried chicken with pickled peppers over fries for $27." - Melissa McCart
"Located inside the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, The Modern is a Two Star restaurant designed to capture the iconic feel of the museum. It features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Abby Rockefeller Sculpture Garden and serves nuanced dishes like a delicate seed cracker topped with aged cheddar and butternut squash butter." - Guide MICHELIN
"One couple recalls the most expensive meal they’d had together: for their fifth anniversary one partner took the other to a two‑Michelin‑star restaurant adjacent to MoMA. The splurge was memorable not only for its price but because they followed it with something playful and lowbrow afterward, extending the night and underscoring that special moments can mix high and low experiences." - Bettina Makalintal
