Eric Ripert@Aqua

can not wait for the opening! fell in love with this place since it was opened decade ago! everything is so special, from anmbince to the msio black cod!

It appears there is no way to review Aqua alone as we await their reopening at a new location. Aqua is, in a word; sublime. The diverse and extensive wine list changes frequently. The focus is on seafood; sumptuous, beyond compare and prepared with a luscious flair of French bravura. If you’re looking for the perfect spot to propose; this is it. Just wait until desert! Otherwise, save your date money. A sensual feast awaits you.

I have been to his New York restaurant, Le Bernardin. He is a God.

Fantastic atmosphere. We had reservations and were seated at the bar while we waited. The place was jammin and the cocktails were awesome… We were seated in a very noisy dining area, super crowded to the point where I couldn’t move my arms to eat. For the experience of having to yell across the table, eat with my arms pinned at my side and having to wait 45 min, with reservations and paying over the top for being uncomfortable — it was a disappointment. BUT — the food killed… sooo good. If they can get a good balance of comfortable seating and noise control — it would be major. I understand they are relocating and look forward to seeing how it all «blends»…

Dear Unilocal Moderators:
do you read these reviews? If so you’d know that this review was not about Aqua. In fact the only thing that it had to do with Aqua was that it took place there. Otherwise this was Eric Ripert’s solo show there. Even the menu said Le Bernadin Tasting Menu! So please don’t arbitrarily move this under Aqua’s normal reviews. As with the « Unilocal Elite Events @Put Name of Place Here», this was a special night and should be for those that attended it. That being said I’ve updated my Aqua Restaurant review accordingly.
Thanks
KQN
ps for those who’ve read this before go about your business, nothing to see here :)
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Ever since seeing Eric Ripert & Anthony Bourdain hit up the French Laundry in a Cooks Tour, then work a double shift on the line at Les Halles on no reservations, I’d been meaning to try Le Bernadin. I had my chance about a year ago and sure enough it was every bit as good (if not better) than I expected to be. When it was announced that he was going to cook at Aqua (fitting that he would be good friends with Laurent Manrique who used to run another all seafood Michelin restaurant), I jumped at the chance to go. Four of us attended the one night only, Le Bernadin tasting menu to see what Chef Ripert would do with some west coast ingredients.
The menu and wine pairings as follows:
— Baked Kumamoto Oysters with Thyme, Sweet Garlic Butter
+ NV Bruno Paillard Première Cuvee Brut Reims
–Kampachi Tartare with Wasabi Tobiko and Ginger-​Coriander Emulsion
+ Takasago Ginga Shizuku Junmai Daiginjo Sake «Divine Droplets»
— Rare Seared Yellowtail Hamachi marinated in Tandoori Spices with Pickled Cucumber and Mango Salad
+ 2007 Erben von Beulwitz Kabinett Riesling Kasler Nies’chen Mosel
— Barely Cooked Slamon with Asparagus in a Wild Mushroom Pot Au Feu
+ 2005 Domaine Laroche Chablis 1er Cro Les Vaudevey
— Escolar Poached in Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Sea Beans, Potato Crisps, and Light Red Wine Bearnaise (Beurre Rouge)
+ 2005 Nuits-​Saint-​George Chanson Pere & Fils
— Duo of Comte and Redwood Hill Farm Crottin
+ 2006 Jurancon Uroulat Charles Houres
Of course everything was excellent as expected. Like Le Bernadin, even with an excellent meal there are a few things that stand out as mind blowing. The buttery texture of the salmon, the savory umami of the beurre rouge, the pairing of Sake with the Kampachi. I know it’s disturbing but I think I could have had a mug of that beurre rouge and been pretty happy. It was that good.
In all fairness I can’t compare it with Laurent Manrique’s Aqua (he’s not even there anymore at this point) because I’d not tried it. The last time I was at Aqua Michael Mina was still the star there (which I do need to a do a nostalgia review of). It’s unfortunate because how do we get Eric Ripert to return to SF? Hopefully Manrique will start a new place soon or better yet, he and Ripert will double up Wonder Twins style and setup a new place together. Hey Eric, Laurent, are you hearing this?