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I met up with a group of friends for dinner last weekend. One of them suggested something different and we checked out the “Mad Dinner Experience” tasting menu at LittleMäd. It was great to catch up with my friends and the dishes kept us wowed throughout. We could see why the the Michelin Guide raved about this Nomad restaurant. You won’t find barbecue or bibimbap here.
Anthony’s Take: LittleMäd opened in 2021. It fuses Korean flavors with French techniques. Dishes are playful, inventive, and can be a little scary if you’re a picky eater. The flavors were spot on and the technique was precise. The five of us tried to order a variety of dishes (so that we could taste most of them).
Decor & Vibe
The restaurant is small and the space is quite industrial. Expect concrete blocks, unfinished floors, and lots of grey.
The kitchen is open and it’s impressive to watch the magic happen.
Food
LittleMäd offers a tasting menu called the “Mad Dinner Experience.” We chose to add the Mad Hungry Noodles. The meal starts with with four “Chef’s Snacks Brought to the Table” to share. Next are individual choices. These are under the “Little Cold, “Mäd Hot,” “Chef’s Hansang,” and “Sweets to Finish” sections. The Chef’s Snacks are below.
These leaves contained a nicely spiced raw fish.
These fish were cute and tasty.
Not as cute (to eat) were these little crabs. You pop them in your mouth whole. Take a deep breath and try one. They’re very crunchy and have a mild flavor. My husband refused to taste this one.
These little jewels were also quite yummy.
For the “Little Cold” selection, one friend and I both chose the Bluefin Tuna with Chorizo and Ramp Pesto. It was as flavorful as it was beautiful.
My husband and another friend had the Scallop Crudo with Basil, Dashi, and Shiitake. They said the flavors were impressive.
Our other friend selected the Yellowtail with Asian Pear, Sesame Dressing, and Scallion Oil. He practically licked the plate clean.
For the next course, four of us chose the Chou Farci “Mandou.” It had Blue Crystal Prawn, Foie Gras, and Lobster Sabayon. It was so rich and delicious.
One friend went rogue and had the Soft Shell Crab with Korean Pancake, Caramelized Fish Sauce, and Wild Perilla Hollandaise. He enjoyed it, but he was eyeing our dishes.
We tasted four of the five dishes offered in the “Chef’s Hansang” section. I went with the Lobster with Tomalley Fried Rice, White Kimchi, and Herb Butter. It was excellent. I also loved that each dish came with little side dishes. Mine had a lobster salad and a miso-like soup.
My husband and one friend had the Pork x5 with Meatball, Chop, Belly, Head, and Ear. He did not like the Head or Ear, but enjoyed the other three.
Another friend tried the Branzino with Manila Clam, Fava Bean, and Tortellini en Brodo. He said the fish was perfectly cooked.
Our other friend chose the Prime Galbi (which is beef) with Brown Butter, Cippolini, and Marinated Egg. Another winner here.
We ordered two servings of the Mad Hungry Noodles for the five of us. This dish has Crispy Duck Skin, Okusu, and Umami Foam. I could have eaten this entire bowl myself.
Finally, it was time for dessert. I went with the Rice Pudding. Even though I was pretty full at this point it all was eaten quickly.
The other four had the Pâte À Choux. They all loved it.
Drinks
LittleMäd serves cocktails, wine, and beer. I was too awed by the food to remember to take any pictures. We tasted several cocktails and wines.
Overall Impression:
LittleMäd is worth the Michelin hype. The dishes were masterfully crafted and the flavors were delicious. It’s a funky space and one I recommend checking out. It’s an experience and we ended up spending around $225 per person with multiple drinks each.
Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: When I’m dining out, I want to maximize my points earned. My card of choice for restaurants and food delivery is the American Express® Gold Card. With it, I earn four Membership Rewards® Points for each dollar spent at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the US. It also includes up to $120 annual credit (up to $10 per month given in statement credits) for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Plus, up to another $120 annually (up to $10 per month) in Uber Cash that I can use for Uber Eats. When I’m hungry, this is the card I choose. (Terms apply and enrollment required for select benefits.) Learn more.
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