Looking for suggestions for a rehearsal dinner in the Downtown area for approximately 30-60 people. All suggestions are welcome (casual and less casual restaurants), including all types of food, but we're not likely to do anything overly formal or expensive. Thanks very much.

Thank you both for the recommendations. Frenchie was a no-go. Dialing there several times I began to feel a vague sense of deja vu and realized I was thinking of dialing Schwa in Chicago.

Hello all, my girlfriend and I will be in Paris next month (23rd to the 26th). We are currently booked for dinner at Fontaine de Mars on the 24th (Sunday) and looking for a dinner suggestion on Monday the 25th. I reserved at La Regalade - St. Honore at 7:30 but we were hoping to eat a little later (8:30). I was thinking about calling Frenchie realizing that reservations are difficult to come by there and was hoping for some other recommendations.

One of us is not terribly adventurous while the other is open to most anything and we would like to go somewhere relatively casual. That is, while I'd love to knock out one of the three star restaurants, that will need to wait for another trip. Fontaine de Mars seems like fairly traditional Paris bistro fare, so restaurants offering a different experience would also be greatly appreciated.

Also, any recommendations for Nice on the 26th would also be great. We are booked at Mirazur on the 27th.

thanks very much!

If you have the time and the patience to make reservations, I would highly recommend Schwa. It would also be a cab ride, but more than worth it.

This is very helpful and somewhat amusing. I'm going w/ my girlfriend, so the male and female suggestions are appreciated. I don't want to get this thread to far away from food, but after reading these responses I am curious about something. As you can imagine, if someone is visiting they will invariably sightseeing, i.e., they will be walking a lot, which is why I can easily understand people choosing function over form with regard to clothes. Are these suggestions aimed at a nice lunch/dinner in a restaurant (see, back to food!) or at all times?

I'm going in June and, given the positive "local" reaction to the dress aspects of the OP, what's common in the warmer months? Thanks!

I was in town from southern California for a conference last week and had dinner at Minibar and Komi the next night.

Minibar/America Eats Tavern
Having experienced other mg leaning restaurants before, such as Schwa and Alinea, I was very interested in what Minibar had to offer and had obviously read many good things. Showing up over an hour early for my 830 seating, I sat at the bar of America Eats and decided to have a small snack because I had not eaten much all day and I'd heard that some people have finished Minibar hungry. After a very tasty crab cake and basket of biscuits with a delicious and addicting cranberry butter, I headed upstairs with the other guests. Taking the advice of other CHers and Yelp I skipped the wine flights and opted for two glasses over the course of the evening. With 24 courses being served I won't review all of them but the highlights included the Oyster Escabeche, Zucchini in Textures, Chicken Shawarma, and Charcoal Salmon Toro with Black Garlic. As much as I'd like to avoid sounding like Padma from TC, I found that many of the dishes were a little too salty. Additionally, while many of the techniques were interesting, sometimes I felt they were used just for the sake of the technique and didn't add a great deal of value or lead to a great dish. Nonetheless, the service was very good and the chefs (Justin and Charisse) were very informative. I'm glad I went, though I probably wouldn't go back (even if work is paying for part of it).

Komi
After nine hours of seminars I anxiously made my way up 17th towards Komi. With myriad accolades to its credit, and after being slightly disappointed with Minibar the night before, I was very excited about this meal. After entering the small restaurant I was immediately greeted and led to my table for one. Met by my main server next, she explained the format, stating that the restaurant would essentially be cooking for me tonight, and upon opting for the wine pairings we were off. Even before my first course arrived I noticed the Shins playing overhead and knew I was in for a pleasant experience, though I never thought it would be one of the best meals of my life. Again, with approximately 16 courses served I won't go through them all but suffice it to say, they all ranged from very good to involuntary-smile-inducing (i.e., mind blowing); that said, my favorites included: (i) the "gyro" with beef tongue, feta, and foie gras; (ii) the gnocchi, (iii) the sweetbread souvlaki, (vi) the "spanakopita, (v) the goat shoulder and fixings (somehow I managed to take this thing down by myself), and oh hell, I could really keep going because everything was that good. I only wish I could have taken pictures so I could more properly remember all of the dishes. The service was lovely, the music couldn't have been more up my alley (including the aforementioned Shins, Arcade Fire, Fanfarlo, Local Natives, and Head and the Heart), and the wine pairings were fantastic. Truly, this was the first time I have had such a positive reaction to wine pairings (typically, they taste good but I don't have the most discerning palate, so I can't tell whether they are worth it). All of this added up to solo dining perfection and, in case you hadn't figured it out, my night at Komi was head and shoulders above Minibar. I can't really explain the significant gap, perhaps my dinner at Komi was simply a confluence of superlative food, ambiance, and service and the Minibar experience just isn't for me. No matter what it was, I will most assuredly be making my way back to Komi as soon as I can get back to D.C.

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Cafe Atlantico
405 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Komi
1509 17th St NW Ste 1, Washington, DC 20036

For the record, I suggested 11 because that was the earliest anyone ever picked up (because that's probably when they start rolling into the restaurant). You should continue to call up through the end of your day. The last reservation I made, I'm pretty sure it was closer to 4PM central.

Considering only a select few can operate the credit card machine (Seth and Chef, I believe), the 'office' is probably just the phone and the 'records' is merely a book of reservations. Incidentally, I called once and actually got through but was unable to make a reservation because someone had misplaced it! Talk about an epic letdown.

Agreed. I was back in town a couple of weeks ago and had a wondeful meal, even more memorable than my last one at Schwa (even though we didn't even get to finish the meal!). I'll admit I called a great deal more than four times each day I tried (it probably took 4-5 days of trying), but it didn't really seem all that bad b/c I'm sitting at a desk all day. Keep trying and yes, be patient. It is absolutely worth it.

Just to follow up on this. It was indeed a wonderful 24 hours. After having some time to think (daydream) about both meals for a few days, I think my initial thoughts remain the same. EMP was lovely, but Per Se was magical.

Again, while I have no frame of reference for what a meal was like w/ Benno, Per Se does not seem to have missed a beat.

Additionally, it was ironic that we unanimously preferred the desserts at Per Se while the Pastry Chef at EMP won the Beard Award. I should note that I don't believe Per Se's PC was up for that and there was one absolutely stunning strawberry dessert at EMP.

In sum, go with confidence!

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Not sure if it was mentioned on your previous post, but the dessert egg is something that can be requested at Le Bernardin. It is excellent.

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Le Bernardin
155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019

Speaking of, curious whether your next trip overseas will be back to France or will you venture to Spain or Italy?

Great reports, as usual!

Not yet. But I'll be in town this weekend and am going to both (EMP dinner Friday, Per Se lunch on Saturday). Will check back in afterwards.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Wow. This is fantastic. I'll be in the city in about three weeks and in a weekend where I have reservations at EMP, Per Se and Corton, I think I may most excited for EMP. Can't wait.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Corton
239 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

I was also curious from a cost standpoint, but like many have stated on this board, why go to a place like this if you're worried about cost. So I don't think I will.

I managed to get reservations for lunch on a Saturday in May. I would like to do the full tasting but will be with two people who may not be able to handle that much. I understand that they may allow certain people to do the 9 and others to do the 5, is this true?

Also, are there any differences to the 5 course menu compared to the 9 other than the # of courses, e.g., different portion sizes or different dish availability?

Does anyone have photos of a 5 course experience?

While it might take some persistence, I don't think it's as difficult to get a reservation as people believe. I think the best route would be to not leave a message and hold out for a 'real person.' I suggest calling in the middle of the week during the middle of the day (after 11 Central time). You may have to call a few times, but that should do the trick. Hope this helps. I had one of the best meals of my life at Schwa and suggest you take advantage of the BYO policy if you get a reservation.

Ko certainly intrigues me (assuming I can get a rez). I've been to Schwa in Chicago and understand there are some similarities.

Removing Per Se for a second, what are people's thoughts on Lunch on Sat between Bouley and JG?

Thanks!

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

Actually, I have an unhealthy obsession with Macarons, so suggestions on places for those would be much appreciated.

Fortunately, macarons are covered in the FCI curriculum, so I will hopefully be getting a care package of those.

Will keep you posted on her progress. She has about four months to go. Regrettably, I am unable to reap any of the benefits of all the goodies she brings home.

Thanks, everyone, for all the suggestions.

At Per Se, are reservations required for the Salon? Is that even worth doing or is it better to try to do the full experience?

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

I'll be visiting my mom in early May. I will be coming in on a red eye flight Friday morning and hoping to fit in at least two lunches and two dinners. I should note that I will be solo for lunch on Friday and in groups of 3 on Friday and likely 4 on Saturday for dinner each night. I will be paying for one other person at each non-solo meal and while cost is a consideration, it is not the most important as this is a mini vacation. On my last trip I dined at The Modern, Le Bernardin and Babbo. The places I am considering so far are:

Lunch Friday (solo):
Momofuku Ko
Bouley
Del Posto
Bouley
Aldea

Dinner Friday:
WD~50
Corton
(note that I'll be in the SoHo/Tribeca area)

Lunch Saturday:
Bouley
Jean Georges
Aldea
Per Se
Le Bernardin (my mom has not been)
EMP

Dinner Saturday:
EMP
Plus any others I listed above

Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated, specifically what restaurant would be best for each occasion.

Finally, my mom is in the pastry program at the French Culinary Institute and is very interested in working at and eventually opening a patisserie (think Meryl Streep's place in the movie It's Complicated) one day. I wanted to hit up a bunch of great examples in the city and am looking for some suggestions from all you hounders. I very much appreciate the help!