Haute Eating: 10 Questions for Chef Jacques Sorci of The Ritz-Carlton Battery Park

The Ritz-Carlton has long been synonymous with luxury, and at the Battery Park location that sentiment can be experienced in the 298 rooms (which offer sweeping views of the Statue of Liberty), the Carita Spa, the ballrooms and in the restaurant, 2 West, which offers the kind of impeccable dining experience you’d expect at The Ritz-Carlton. Executive Chef Jacques Sorci, who’s been bestowed, an elite honor in the culinary word, “French Master Chef,” has created a menu of local, fresh and seasonal ingredients that he turns into updated renditions of classic comfort dishes. Maine lobster bisque, Nova Scotia salmon, New York steak and truffle parmesan fries are some of the dishes offered in this modern and elegant interpretation of an American bistro. End your meal with an haute French experience: award-winning pastry chef Laurent Richard—he was touted as one of the “Ten Best Pastry Chef in America” by Pastry Art & Design—turns out beautiful and creative cakes, tarts and desserts.

Haute Living: What’s new at 2 West Restaurant?
Jacques Sorci: We have great summer cocktails and a new summer menu.

HL: What are some of your favorite dishes at your restaurant?
JS: Spinach filled gnocchi with pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes Striped bass with asparagus risotto
Seared American Snapper with jicama, cucumber, tomato and cilantro vinaigrette

HL: Where do you like to dine when you’re not working?
JS: I love ethnic food such as Indian and Middle Eastern.

HL: What’s your ideal meal?
JS: Home and seasonal cooking with my family.

HL: Where do you like to dine for a special occasion?
JS: At L’Absinthe on the Upper East Side.

HL: What’s your favorite NYC neighborhood?
JS: The Village

HL: What do you like to do in the city on your days off?
JS: Ride my bicycle on the bike track

HL: Your favorite vacation destination?
JS: “Celle Ligure,” a small fisherman village on the Ligurean coast in Italy.

HL: What’s your most memorable meal?
JS: Lunch at Pierre Gagnaire in Paris 10 years ago.

HL: What are your five favorite ingredients?
JS: Lamb (any part of it), tarragon, Italian eggplant, cumin, thumbelina carrots.

2 West Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Battery Park is located at 2 West Street; 212-344-0800.

To reach Tracey Ceurvels, visit her blog, The Busy Hedonist, or email her.