Aska

47 S. 5th St., New York, 11249, USA | Scandinavian, Contemporary

Eating here is serious business, but happily the place isn’t blighted by a monastic atmosphere—a contented buzz fills the room, helped along by the chefs who deliver the dishes themselves.Chef Fredrik Berselius and his ace team delight diners with their highly accomplished Nordic cuisine. Local products are woven into the seasonal tasting, and items like prawn shells and venison bones are transformed into luscious sauces that enhance each plating. Creme royale with claw of lobster, trout roe and essence of elderflower is a dish to dream about, while venison from New York is perfectly minimalist with morel mushroom, wild leek and a delicate jus.