Franklin Becker has opened a new seafood restaurant, Point Seven, in New York’s MetLife Building. The respected chef teamed up with pastry chef Sam Mason (current owner of Oddfellows Ice Cream) and Max Green (former beverage director at Amor y Amargo) for the project.
What can you expect from the menu? Inspired by “coastal cuisines from around the world”, the eatery’s name is a nod to the percentage of the Earth’s surface that is covered by water. Of course, that means plenty of seafood, spanning everything from small plates ideal for sharing right up to heartier mains.
Kick things off with grilled octopus cooked ‘Veracruz’ style in a rich tomato sauce, steamed Bang Island mussels drizzled with Thai curry, or the delicate live scallop ceviche with lemon and truffle.
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Mains are just as indulgent. As well as a raw bar offering fresh lobster, king crab and oysters, there’s a wide-ranging selection of “simply grilled” fish served with quinoa salad and a choice of salsa verde or wasabi ponzu butter.
And, if you’re looking for something more hands-on, opt for Becker’s sushi experience where you can assemble the dishes yourself. Highlights include spicy tuna with tobiko, red onion and shio kombu; and red crab with scallion cream, sweet and sour sauce and rice pearls (for a touch of luxury you can add caviar, too).
Be sure to save space for dessert; Mason has crafted a mouthwatering selection of sweet treats. We love the sound of the banana cream chai with hot honey granola and the decadent hazelnut gianduja with chocolate and toasted hazelnut dacquoise.
There’s also an excellent selection of cocktails crafted by Green. Expect heady tipples inspired by far-flung locations that pair perfectly with the seafood; Sea Legs is a mix of rum, roasted pineapple, Calabrian chili, coconut and lime, while 4 Corners Martini combines gin with Oka Kura, Timbal Dry and Seville orange bitters.
When it came to designing Point Seven, Becker pulled out all the stops. The chef brought in New York-based Studio Valerius to craft the bright, breezy interiors; at the heart of the dining room is an assortment of hand-blown crystal glass pieces that shimmer in the light evoking a school of fish.
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