John Fraser’s Narcissa’s Lackluster Service Disappoints Despite Superb Food

For years, chef John Fraser has been arguably one of the most under the radar and underrated chef’s in New York, as the executive chef of Upper West Side gem, Dovetail. Despite earning a michelin star, Dovetail’s location on 103 West 77th Street is located in one of the most obscure neighborhoods, not known as an epicenter for transcending culinary spaces. Recently, the Upper West Side has seen a surge in exceptional food including Red Farm, Meatball Shop, and soon, Parm. Nevertheless, Fraser finally relocated downtown with Narcissa at Andre Balazs’ Standard East, which opened this past fall. Focusing on a vegetable centric menu, Narcissa serves locally sourced ingredients that features seasonal, local and organic produce from Andre Balazs’ farm in Hudson Valley. The menu, which features rotisserie, roasting and slow cooking, is best described as “California” style cooking.

Video: New York Taste Event 2013

On Monday November 11th, New York Magazines Hosted its 15th Annual New York Taste Event featuring 40 of the city’s most recognized Chefs and Mixologists. Chef’s including Jonathan Benno, Paul Liebrandt, Joe NG, Dominique Ansel, Francois Payard and Richard Kuo among others were featured in the event.

Dinner and Drinks with Pearl and Ash’s Richard Kuo