The Park Hyatt's signature New York Grill gets a little added Latin flavour this week, as the kitchen is taken over by guest chef Fernando Navas, owner of much-vaunted Argentine restaurant Balvanera on New York's Lower East Side. Take this opportunity to sample his extra-special dinner course, available until October 25.
With experience at restaurants like Nobu in the Bahamas, Ferran Adrià's El Bulli and global operation Sushisamba, chef Navas combines dynamic Argentinian creations with Japanese ingredients, style and presentation. Working together with the New York Grill's Chef de Cuisine, fellow Argentine Federico Heinzmann, Navas is sure to make your NYC-style dinner memorable.
We went along for a taste just before the duo's special menu was officially rolled out, and here's what we were treated to – go ahead and take a close look before booking your spot.
The 'welcome drink', a cocktail called Just Mate Pisco Sour
Chef Navas
Federico Heinzmann, the head chef at New York Grill
Bringing in a number of dishes from the Balvanera menu, Navas has customised his creations to match Japanese ingredients – many of which were procured by the chefs themselves from Tsukiji just the day before our visit. The duo even allowed us to peek into the kitchen and get a close-up of the culinary artistry on display.
Balvanera's signature dish meets Japanese scallop
Chef Heinzmann explaining his craft
Burrata cheese with roasted fig and prosciutto
Decidedly authentic ceviche
Grilled sirloin beef with carrot sauce
Cream caramel pudding, mate tea, tangerine and kumquat sorbet
Think the dishes pictured above look a little dainty? Not to worry – they're just sample versions of the actual delights included in chef Navas's dinner course. Served from 5.30pm to 10pm until October 25, this exclusive set will set you back ¥21,000 (plus tax and service), but at least it comes with spectacular views from the hotel's 52nd floor. À la carte options are also available, so go ahead and splurge – offers like these don't come along every day.
