sethd's Profile
Flying to Paris For One Blow-Out Meal
Actually, Taillevent has a much different reputation concerning Americans: It has been known to keep a quota of foreign guests, especially americans. In addition, you can get a much better experience at most of the other 2 and 3 star restaurants in Paris.
DOWNTOWN
Now that the Rise Bar at the Battery Park Ritz is no longer, are there any comparable places near the battery to stop for drinks and appreciate the superb view.
EMP - Need Lunch Suggestions
Hey, If you can't beat them, join 'em!! My first meal was in October, 2007. All I remember about my meal was that I ordered the Gourmand Menu and had a half bottle of a Domaine Leflaive Puligny Montrachet. I haven't decided yet on what menu to order. I was thinking about the 5 course: looking at the menu, i thought the beef with the morels and asparagus looked great. I will also most likely be alone.
Dress Code and Prices
RGR, The Salon is definitely open for lunch on the weekend. I have had lunch there on various fridays, saturdays, and sundays and was not dining alone either.
Dress Code and Prices
The Salon at Per Se is also open for lunch friday, saturday, and sunday. I do agree with RGR it is not the most comfortable environment, but it is more comfortable than some of the bars I have eaten at in the city. The Salon is also a nice, relaxing, place for drinks as well.
EMP - Need Lunch Suggestions
RGR, I made a dinner reservation at EMP in two weeks. What are your favorite dishes on the dinner menu. How can I ensure that I have a memorable meal (in a good way) there.
Solo dining in Paris
First, I would also highly recommend La Fontaine de Mars. I had one of my first meals in Paris there in 1983 and still remember it fondly. I last ate there two years ago and thought the meal excellent. I have had 95% of meals as a solo in Paris without any problems and I speak absolutely no French except the basics of hello, thank you, the food is good, etc.
Of all the "elite" restaurants in Manhattan, which one is the most romantic and intimate?
Although, The Four Seasons Restaurant doesn't seem to get alot of comments on this board, the Pool Room at the Fours Seasons is one of the most beautiful, romantic, and intimate restaurants in the city.
Dressing in Paris [Moved from France board]
Although, I am one who always dresses more rather than less formally when in Europe, I have this great memory of a father and his young son (about 8 years old) eating last May at Louis XV. The young gentleman was dressed in shorts and a polo shirt. He was treated like a valued guest by the restaurant. What fun I had watching them dine!!
Your Favorite Jean-Georges Lunch Selections
I never said that I haven't found one "itsy bitsy fault" while dining at Jean Georges. Of course I have; there are some dishes on the present menu that I don't care for, others that i don't enjoy nearly as much as prior variants of the dish (the lamb with black trumpet mushrooms come to mind); I have had some errors in service over the years there as well. I also realize that it is possible for patrons not to enjoy a certain dish as well. What disturbs me is when people on this board say because a dish was not enjoyable the restaurant is "terrible" or needs an overhaul.
What I will say, , is that yes, I have had perfect meals at Jean Georges: I believe that it is indeed one of the three best restaurants in the city. I have also had "perfect" dining experiences at other restaurants here in the city as well as in Europe. I believe that Jean Georges reaches near or complete perfection more often than almost any other chef in the city and has for the last 2O years. There is a level of consistent excellence there that is amazingly impressive and it is for that very reason that he has achieved from critics and his peers so many (well deserved) accolades.
If you had to choose...
What can I expect to be on the menu at L'ambrosie in four weeks when I return to have lunch there?
Your Favorite Jean-Georges Lunch Selections
It surprises me that jean georges,. with all these supposedly imperfections and a "need for a complete overall of its menu" has managed to maintain a 4 star NY Times review since its opening, a three star michelin ranking since the guide started ranking NY restaurants, a top 20 ranking in the annual Restaurant Magazine list, and a ranking as the second best restaurant in the country not three years ago by gourmet magazine. Jean Georges also seems to be busy lunch and dinner 7 days a week as well.
French Macaroons...
THe macarons at La Maison are excellent. In addition, the macarons at Adour are superb. Also, last fall there was an article in Departures magazine about the best macarons to be found in the USA.
Le Bernardin or One if by Land?
I disagree, somewhat, i think that the surroundings (the atmosphere, fellow guests, service, and decor) can play a very important role in one's enjoyment of a fine dining experience. Would dining at Louis XV be the same if the atmosphere was different? In addition, to me, there is definitely a differently "feel" when dining in certain restaurants compared to others and I do think that there are different service paradigms in fine dining establishments in the city.
Le Bernardin or One if by Land?
Gustibus non disputandum est, I guess. I think it is human nature to be blinded by "flaws" in those we love. I do agree with you that the tables at Le Bernardin are too close together. I would also say that bit of information has never once affected my enjoyment and , in fact, has even enhanced, my numerous superb meals at Le Bernardin. In addition, there is definitely (at least) two different dining paradigms in new york . there is the midtown style, a more formal, traditional, or european style of dining personified by Jean Georges, Per Se, Le Bernardin, the old ADNY and the more egalitarian style exemplified by downtown restaurants such as EMP. For multiple reasons, I prefer the former, RGR appears to enjoy the later.
Le Bernardin or One if by Land?
So when you dine at Per Se, do you feel you are eating in a mall. I would also love to know what restaurants in the city are in your opinion the equivalent to Le Bernardin in terms of cuisine and service.
Le Bernardin or One if by Land?
IMO, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the decor of the dining room at Le Bernardin. How does location "enhance " or "improve" any restaurant. Le bernardin is one of the best restaurants in the city if not the entire country. Where else does it belong but in midtown Manhattan.
Your Favorite Jean-Georges Lunch Selections
I agree with RGR, the shrimp dish is amazing. Other wonderful lunch dishes include the Gnocchi, the new salmon dish with ramp ravioli, the tuna ribbons, foie.
Jackets required at lunch?
I agree with chef june. I think a jacket and tie is mandatory when going to a three star restaruant in Paris. Yes, they will be those dining without but you are going to one of the best restaurants in the world. What is so wrong with dressing the part?
If you had to choose...
First, olivierb is correct. L'ambroisie does only serve a la carte at lunch. Second, I have eaten at four of the five restaurants on your list. My choice would be L'arpege, for the same reasons expressed by souphie.
Jean Georges- Dress Code/ Prix Fixe Question
Also the asparagus with morels is a classic!!
3 Star Michelin Restaurant Help
Respectfully, I must disagree with souphie. I have had four superb meals at Guy Savoy as a solo.
solo dining at Le Bristol for lunch?
I have had 4 wonderful meals as a single diner in the summer restaurant at Le Brisotl. The service is superb, the atmosphere in the hotel garden, beautiful. Actually, I have had 50 2 and 3 star meals in France as a single with not one bad memory. Enjoy!
Nougatine
The fruit sodas are great, especially the raspberry yuzo one, a favorite of mine.
Le Bernardin Ultimately a Disappointment
When I refer to research it is not the knowledge of the restaurant "rules and regs" but the type of experience one can hope to achieve at said restaurant.
As I have mentioned, I wouldn't have returned to Le Bernardin if my initial experiences at the restaurant weren't superb. My experiences have always been pleasurable. To go to a restaurant, have a sensational meal, to escape from the pressures, trials, and tribulations of living in the city, is exactly why I dine out as often as I do. I usually eat as a single diner. Perhaps, because of that I am much more influenced by service issues than if I ate in a group. Eating as a single does offer me a different experience, both in my interaction with the staff, my ability to watch those around me, etc., I don't mean to insult anyone on this board. I do realize that my experiences at restaurants is different from many on this and other boards who don't frequent cdertain restaurants as often as I do. However, I do hope that Le Bernardin and other restaurants of its class, always attempt to give a perfect dining experience to all who have the pleasure of eating there.
Le Bernardin Ultimately a Disappointment
First, I became a regular customer solely because of the level of service during my initial meals at the restaurant. I like. many of you, won't return to a restaurant with horrific service (my experiences at EMP and Gordon Ramsey come to mind) Secondly, since not every diner at Le Bernardin is a regular and I have noticed many tasting menus served during the first sitting, not all being eaten by regulars, than it leads me to believe that it is possilbe to have a tasting menu during the first sitting. Thirdly, how many of the complaints exist compared to the thousands of happy, satisfied customers who have eaten there since opening in 1986. If somebody doesn't want to go to Le Bernardin based on these criticisms, so be it. If we are going to boycott every restaurant with such "reprehensible" service issues, they will not be any place to eat in the city save our own kitchens. I also think that appropriate communication with appropriate members of a restaurants staff can and should alleviate such problems. As I mentioned, I will be more than happy to ask Ben about the restaurants policies when I next go there.
Le Bernardin Ultimately a Disappointment
Most who dine at Le Bernardin find the food superb and the service extremely pleasant and accommodating. I know I do. There must be a reason Le Bernardin consistently gets rave reviews from reviewers both professional and amateur . Perhaps many New Yorkers are too impressed by the lack of formality at many fine dining establishments and are suprised and shocked. by the level of perfection constantly achieved by the professional staff at Le Bernardin.
Another issue is what makes for a suboptimal experience at a restaurant of the caliber of Le Bernardin or Jean Georges or Per Se or EMP, where hundreds of diners leave amazingly satisfied with their meals. Is such an "poor" experience solely the fault of the restaurant or can the patron also be at fault. For example, I have had at least a 1000 meals at Jean Georges over the last 8 years. I have had only one meal that i didn't enjoy: When I left that evening I realized that I was solely at fault; I was not in the mood, after a stressful day at work, to enjoy the experience. In addition, what is the patrons knowledge of the restaurant , experience with fine dining, or level of expectation prior to the meal. None of us will go to the Louvre and complain about the lack of Impressionist paintings . However, often we go to restaurants with the lack of adequate research.
Le Bernardin Ultimately a Disappointment
Don't you think reprehensible is a little strong. I still say if you call and confirm and don't like the response from the reservationist, rather than stew and go complaining to this board to describe this "reprehensible" act ask to talk to a manager. Mention that you would really like to have the tasting menu,etc. As I said, I am sure they would be forthcoming. Has anybody having the tasting menu at Le Bernardin ever felt rushed. I have never been told anything by the reservationist when calling Le Bernardin for a reservation nor when I confirm: a procedure I have done more than almost anyone on this board. I have had tasting menus at first sitting at Le Bernardin without a problem. In fact, I have seen many patrons having the tasting menu at first sitting at Le Bernardin and I always eat first sitting at dinner.
Let's also remember, the New York fine dining scene is centered on turning tables. Only one fine dining restaurant has allowed patrons to have the table for the evening; ADNY.
Le Bernardin Ultimately a Disappointment
May be, but why don't address it and ask to speak to someone higher in the restaurant management foodchain than the reservationist.y, Next time hat I eat at Le Bernardin, (probably in the next 2 weeks) I will ask Ben, the restaurant manager, what if any the policy is regarding tasting menus and whether time limits are imposed.
