Fish Sauce Ice Cream? These New Bars Have a Wine Pairing for That.
Briefly

Lai Rai on the Lower East Side offers a creative twist on traditional Vietnamese head cheese, served on a silver platter in a charcuterie-style presentation. Co-owner Jerald Head emphasizes a modern approach, diverging from typical thicker slices customary for celebrations like Tết. The restaurant also features innovative savory ice creams inspired by Vietnamese flavors and paired with natural wines, similar to successful ventures in Paris. This eatery is part of a wider trend merging Asian cuisines with natural wine, enhancing culinary experiences in NYC's vibrant food scene.
The head cheese at Lai Rai is presented like charcuterie, merging traditional Vietnamese flavors with a modern wine bar vibe, transforming the dining experience.
This head cheese, also known as giò thủ, is presented in a format less standard than its thick slices, showcasing a unique approach to a traditional dish.
Lai Rai reflects a fusion of cultures, bringing Vietnamese flavors into unexpected formats, such as savory ice cream paired with natural wines, inspired by similar trends abroad.
The restaurant is part of a new wave in New York City, where natural wines and innovative cuisines intersect, enhancing the culinary landscape.
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