Hortus: Top-Tier Asian Fare

Hortus is the brainchild of General Manager Suhum Jang and Chef Youjin Jung. Chef Jung incorporates French and Italian techniques with a menu based on Asian comfort food. The menu features delectable options such as the Foie Gras paired with daikon that are grilled and braised in Korean style chicken-broth and finished with an omija-fig compote and fresh figs; the grilled seabass, which is served atop miso eggplant, sautéed radish, onion and crown daisy, flavored with bonito flakes and soy sauce, and garnished with crackling lotus root chips and crown daisy.

I was dying for a drink, so the first thing I ordered was a “Peachy” (Jinro 17, peach, star anise and rosemary). I moved on to appetizers and ordered some shrimp toast to get started (as I’ve never heard of it before). I was quite pleased but the entree is what I was most excited about. I enjoyed a Wagyu strip steak with shiso chimichurri, maitake mushrooms, yuzu kosho beurre blanc, and a bright citrusy-butter sauce. This is honestly the best Wagyu I’ve had in a really long time. I had a scallion biscuit and bok choy on the side and it complimented it perfectly.

Hortus is worth a visit for those looking for top-tier Asian fare in the city. You won’t go wrong at this place. hortusnyc.com