voxbop's Profile
What do you do when a favorite restaurant slaps you in the face?
A few weeks back, after a particularly grueling, early morning of work, I stopped by Pearl Oyster Bar at about 2:30 for a quick lunch. The restaurant was half empty, there were many spots at the bar and 6 or 7 tables open, including a a number of deuces. The man behind the counter greeted me with, "One? Any place at the counter is fine." Needing a little down time and privacy, I forlornly asked, "Would it be possible to have a table?" He curtly replied, "No, no tables," and literally turned and walked away. No, I'm sorry our policy since we're so small is to only sit parties of two or more at tables. No . . . explanation whatsoever. Now, I worked in the restaurant business for ten years at a number of high-caliber restaurants throughout the country and I know all about the customers who are never happy with where they're sat and the difficulty of dealing with customers in general. But, this just seemed so gratuitously nasty and uncalled for. Pearl has been one of my favorite places in the city for it's high quality food and casual atmosphere since it was opened. I'm a semi-regular customer. I probably go in at least a couple of times a month. I've recommended it to dozens of people. Of course I could write a letter to Rebecca Charles and complain and be all indignant but where does that get me? Then I'm just another whiny New Yorker. To be honest, I actually feel sad. Like I found out a good friend had been talking about me behind my back. Alas, I have no desire to go into one of my favorite places for quick, delicious food again.
Sunday Night Dinner in Paris
Have I got a tip for you! Yves Camdebord's fabulous bistro in the 5th, Le Comptoir, which is impossible to get a reservation at during the week, doesn't take reservations on the weekend and serves an a la carte bistro menu. I was there in March and stopped in a Sunday night around 6:30, an off time for dining for most Parisians and we sat right down. The food is everything you want in a French Bistro but seldom get. It is some of the best food I've ever had in Paris.
Le Comptoir
Hôtel Relais Saint-Germain
9, carrefour de l'Odéon
Paris 75006
phone: +33 (0)1 44 22 07 97
fax: +33 (0)1 46 33 45 30
Wine Tasting Classes
Kevin Zraly's classes are the best. Here's his website:
http://www.wowws.com/
clamshacks??
My vote goes to Farnham's , 88 Eastern Ave. Rt. 133, Essex, MA . The fried clams and seafood chowder are top notch.
WHICH CHINESE RESTAURANT TO IMPRESS VISITORS?
Well, most of the complaints are about other things then the food. All I can say is I've eaten at dozens of Chinese Restaurants in SF and have eaten at House of Nan King at least twenty times and have never had anything that wasn't delicious. I think there tends to be a "Zagat effect" where people tend to be reactionary because so much praise has been heaped on the place. You should try it Dave, you might be surprised. It certainly is a good value.
WHICH CHINESE RESTAURANT TO IMPRESS VISITORS?
It's no longer a hole-in-the-wall since they've expanded, though the decor is nothing to write home about, but it is the best Chinese food in SF:
House of Nan King
919 Kearny St
San Francisco, CA
94133-5106
Phone: (415) 421-1429
Cross Street:
Jackson Street
Need Suggestion for B-day Dinner in Westchester
Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown might be a little over your price range, the three course prix fixe is $65 per person, but the food, location and atmosphere are the best in Westchester.
