Blue Ribbon Empire Expands Again

As the Blue Ribbon Empire opens up its seventh outpost in total—Blue Ribbon Bar—the Dish recollects favorites from each existing restaurant. (And, they are all wonderful places to go with your sweetie on Valentines Day.)

Since 1992, the Bromberg brothers, Bruce and Eric, have launched Blue Ribbon (1992), Blue Ribbon Sushi (1995), Blue Ribbon Bakery (1997), Blue Ribbon Brooklyn (2001), Blue Ribbon Sushi Brooklyn (2003), and Blue Ribbon Bakery Market (2005). Each spot has a character of its own while remaining unmistakably under the Blue Ribbon guise.

At the original Blue Ribbon, going late, late, late at night is the thing to do. And, sitting at the bar to eat oysters and sip champagne is consistently my favorite. There are always at least four varieties of oysters from which to choose and, even at 3 a.m., the staff will gladly explain the different tastes and textures.

One block away at Blue Ribbon Sushi—and, one bridge away in Park Slope—the sake ikura roll is a wining combo of salmon and salmon roe. Sweet salmon paired with salty roe is one reason why the Brombergs deserve a blue ribbon ::wink wink::

Blue Ribbon Bakery is by far my favorite of their restaurants so it’s difficult to choose just one dish. Luckily, I have already referenced the delicious roasted garlic, which leaves only a tie between the market salad piled with beets, artichoke hearts, asparagus, and grilled onions and the chocolate chip bread pudding, which has been a longstanding favorite of mine and was, in fact, one of the first dishes about which I wrote.

The Blue Ribbon in Brooklyn has an almost identical menu to the Manhattan location but something about going to Brooklyn always gets me in the mood for the Jewish stuff on the menu like the smoked salmon sandwich on rye.

Blue Ribbon Bakery Market carries an incredible selection of gourmet foods to take home as well as the signature breads. The best move here is to order toast with Mexican honey, for a sweet treat…or to tide you over as you wait for a table at the new Blue Ribbon Bar located conveniently around the corner. (34 Downing Street. 212.691.0404)