ChrisZ's Profile
Bay Ridge to impress a Manhattanite
Have had three very good meals at Petit Oven.
I think it is still BYO as well. Venue is small so reservations are recommended.
http://www.petit-oven.com/
Second Tanoreen.
Have not been to Aero, heard the food is good but might have that hey vinny vibe.
Grand Sichuan is good (I frequent the place) but would not make me think it was worth leaving the city for.
BYOB to Babbo?
I think if you called and spoke to the wine director and explained the occassion you might stand a chance; as long as the wine is not stocked in house.
If you are looking for a reasonable corking fee with great food. Eleven Madison Park charged me $25 to uncork a Vintage bottle of Krug that I was saving for a special occasion and was well worth the expense.
Babbo service down the tubes
I honestly believe it comes down to accountability and I could be wrong about this.
Most servers today know that they will get 18% and in my case 99.9% of the time 20%. Now at a restaurant like Babbo, tips are pulled together and split (from what I understand). The waiter essentially takes an order and allows everyone else to do the work, wine service, food delivery, bussing, prepping the whole fish at your table, water refills, everything etc etc etc.
Now we can look at it a few ways. Is the waiter truly ignoring you or is he letting everyone else do their part in the service. I admit, it is upsetting and for the amount we pay and tip, we should get a little more than a good evening, what are you having.
Both times I have been to Babbo, I did not see my waiter for every single step of the process, but I never felt ignored. The entire staff as a whole was fantastic.
Now if you want to talk bad service, lets talk Le Bernadin.
Alpha Donuts - Change in...something???
There was a post about a month ago claiming that Alpha was purchasing there donuts from one of the local wholesalers in LIC. Probably mac.
Top Chef-Tramonto's [Spoiler]
I was suprised tom read the numbers as well since I thought prior performance did not matter. Perhaps, it should. I would like to see them consider that a little more especially to get into the top 5. That way dale would still be around.
Suggestions for Wedding Hotel Welcome Booklets
Working on the same and have many of the suggestions listed above /below. Once I recover my jump drive I will make some other suggestions. We have been trying to do a nice mix of upscale and everyday eats.
Put Gray's Papaya for the Recession Special. Recommended Bouchon Bakery and a few other places along the Upper East and West Sides to pick up a picnic for the park.
Once again RGR has covered Wu Liang Ye, Uncle Nicks and about every other restaurant that needs to be on the list.
Fairway Produce
Will agree the produce selection at Fairway Redhook is often very poor. Moldy Garlic, slimy greens etc etc. Sad part is they really do not seem to care.
Any Good Reason To Try TAVERN ON THE GREEN or the OLD HOMESTEAD??
TOG- no
There are plenty of great steakhouses in NYC.
I am not big on steakhouses (I do enjoy them), but if I am going to spend a fortune on dinner I can find a better place to do it.
This summer I had a few steaks and on back to back weekends went to BLT Prime and the Oldhomestead in AC (not nyc location). Suprisingly the steak was cooked better at Old Homestead. Everything else, apps and sides were better at BLT prime
Prix Fix at EMP?
In response to Ericd74 and a few other questions about wine.
If you have a REAL nice bottle at home EMP might (they did last november) still have a corking fee. It was $25 last year.
I took a bottle of Vintage Champagne that had been given to me as a gift and they were more than happy to accomodate. For the record I also had a wine by the class, a cocktail before and a after dinner drink.
However, it allowed me to have an even nicer meal, with a bottle of wine that I would not normally have had. Well worth the $25.
Prix Fix at EMP?
Unless you are eating at the bar; EMP has been Prix Fixed for at least a year. They have a 3 course, a 4 course option where you get to more or less select what you are having. They also have a 15 course chefs tasting menus (you have no choice).
I opted for the four course and given the additional amuses etc, it is one of the best "deals" in the city.
Top Chef Finale! (spoilers)
Some editing made Hung look like an ass, and yes he did not share his technique for cooking the fish. But overall his fellow chefs did not say anything horrible about him. No one complained about having him on their team and Sara seemed more than happy to work with him.
Top Chef Finale! (spoilers)
I will say that Dale really impressed me in the final as well. Going into judges table I did have them at 2 dishes each. Although I said CJ would have made a good finalist, I think Dale did put out food that was very impressive.
Top Chef Finale! (spoilers)
Right person won and he did it on coleman stoves.
Amazing what happened when the other two did not have anyone around to help them as they did for most of the season. People were always critical of Hungs independence, but in the end it helped. Casey just looked overwhelmed.
I could be off base and wrong, but people keep saying Hungs cake was safe. Yet it came out "perfectly executed". I think that is fairly impressive as the other two blamed the altitude for flaws in their food. Baking in high altitudes is difficult and different so I am suprised that was not mentioned.
Good Final, but Hung v CJ would have been better
Le Bernadin: Why so many negative posts about it on this board?
No, we were not told anything. In fact I made a comment to the waiter that if they were in such a rush, we should not have been offered a cocktail before the meal and allowed to enjoy it and we should not have been offered coffee afterwards. I also mentioned that "fine dining" should be just that and as a restaurant they should realize that 8:00 may not be a fair time for either party and that 8:30 seemed more reasonable. I understand that an 8:00 reservation who gets there early might be impatient, but at the same time a early res. should not be rushed out 45minute early. Regarding the tip it was adjusted, but not horribly as our waiter was good and should not be punished because his boss is an a**.
Also, funny how although being in an office building the feeling of Le Bernadin is not nearly as (warm?) as EMP which is also in an office, but does not feel as such.
Le Bernadin: Why so many negative posts about it on this board?
I have been to LB once. All of the food was above average and enjoyable. I enjoy seeing well executed seafood and that is what I got. The wine that was recommended which was in our price line was great.
My major problem was the fact that we were seated 15 minutes late, the food was being brought out and sitting in the servers area before we took a first bite of our previous course. Also the Captain around 7:15 started to point at us and loudly say in front of our table (we need them out of here by 8:00). He did this every 10 minutes. So for me the service took a major slide.
If I could choose I would go back; but would probably go to EMP, Veritas, or Cru agian.
Need help re: Times Square area (and, perhaps, Lupa)
Mahalan- posted exactly what I was going to say.
Wu Liang Ye for dinner on Saturday. And if you do not want to trek down to Lupa, Esca is a real nice pick.
Help with 11 Madison Park
Go with the four course. I think with the amuse bouche, you will get a really good meal and feel for how great the kitchen is. I think you will also leave full. The complaint I hear about the tasting menu is that the portions are quite small. I had the four course and left full but not feeling sick,
Also if you are going with a wife, SO, etc do what we did and order different things that you want to try and just share.
All
Batali got the boot (from FN)
I am shocked that everyone here still actually watches the food network.
All things being said, I am fine with balance in programming, the food network just does not want to give us any. All the shows are the same...same style set, same format, etc etc.
Molto Mario, man and show will be missed. Just as I miss Taste, the old Essence of Emeril, and strangley enough that show on how to mix cocktails that used to be on Sundays at Midnight :).
Top Chef what the %$@#!!!
I was wondering the same thing; esp after all Howie won was a bottle of wine.
Re: Sara- lets not forget that her win was on the "second night". Perhaps since there was not a true winner and both teams got a redo, there really was not a reason for a prize,
A "special" NYC meal for $60 a head?
Try Perilla. A group of us ate there for around 60-70 a person with drinks. They had some decent bottles for around $30. Check there menu online
Recs on what to order at Po?
The tasting menu is, or at least used to be a good.
If you do not mind sharing depending on who you are going with, it is just as easy to create your own.
The last time I went, the gnocci and the sweetbreades were both good.
Fresh figs
Might be a little far, but 3 Guys in Brooklyn had some terrific figs for sale today.
Help me pic an Anniversary Dinner!
RGR is right the duck for two is a great way to finish off the 4 course tasting menu (which at $22 per course might be one of the best bargains in the city).
veritas
Nice restaurant with an outstanding wine list.
Of things I tried for apps the Lobster Salad and Foie Gras are both worth the supplement.
Entrees- the venison and short ribs were both great.
Dessert- Cannot remeber what was all at the table, but it was all good. The cheese course was worth the extra $5.
