Mark your calendars—reservations for Dominique Ansel's dessert tasting menu open Monday

The opening of Dominique Ansel Kitchen excited us for many reasons. One: à la minute chocolate mousse. Two: the promise of an after-hours tasting table on the bakery's second floor. Dubbed U.P. (short for "unlimited possibilities"), the chef's table descends from the ceiling in the shop's prep kitchen and will seat eight people for an eight-course all-dessert tasting menu ($75) with cocktail pairings by former PDT and Momofuku barman Don Lee (an additional $35).

The menu theme will change bi-annually, with the kick-off concept revolving around "firsts"—The "First heart break" course riffs on a classic baked Alaska, with meringue "petals" flambéed tableside, a touch of bergamot and a rocky-road ice cream center, while the "First dance" is fittingly effervescent, with frais de bois strawberries, mascarpone and yuzu accompanied by a glass of champagne. 

Tickets for the table's 7/17, 7/18 and 7/19 seatings (two seatings per night at 7:30pm and 9:30pm) will be available starting Memorial Day Monday, May 25th at noon via Tock. Good luck and in the meantime, check out the space and the inaugural menu below: 

U.P. at Dominique Ansel KitchenPhotograph: Evan Sung