DoctortedNYC's Profile
SD26 Review
I noticed there were not any reviews for SD26 here, so I thought I would weigh in. If you are expecting the old San Domenico, forget it. Stuffy, fussy, starched and formal it's not. Loud, boisterous, informal it is. A lot of criticism has been directed towards the owners, but I disagree. In order to thrive (not survive) in todays environment, a restauranteur must maximize every bit of space. Many times this comes at a price in terms of service, intimacy, attention, etc. While SD26 succeeds brilliantly at the former, it fails at the latter.
The restaurant sits on a dark, lonely stretch of 26th street, opposite Madison Square, desolate, lonely on a bitter winter night. Oddly, the sign on SD26 isn't illuminated, adding to the melancholia. After squeezing through a narrow entrance one is greeted by blasting music from the bar. Pass the uber-cool automatic wine dispenser and your in the bar area. Keep walking through a long tunnel which has small, cubicle like rooms and your mind makes the connection; the Molkova Milk bar from A Clockwork Orange. But I digress. When you arrive at the dining room, you are dwarfed by its size, 20 foot ceilings and loudness. Jam packed on a Tuesday night, you marvel at its use of space. Tables, banquettes, booths, chef tables even stools around the massive open kitchen.
I read a lot of reviews on SD26, mostly in the mediocre to good range: So here goes my impression:
Cheese/Cured Meat Bar: Anything here is excellent; go for it. Portions very good. In fact, portions for everything were good. All plates (appetizers, mains, etc), come in small and large sizes. Light eaters can easily split a small portion. My gf and I split everything.
Bread-Cold, unremarkable.
Appetizers:
Prosciutto San Daniel-Velvety, melt in your mouth.
Small Grilled Vegetables-Very good
Small Caponata-Excellent
Tomato Vegetable Terrine-Very good
Large Spaghetti Chitttara-Good
Lamb Chops-Excellent
Desert -Good
Service-Terrible: Friendly, but disorganized, nobody seems to be in charge or supervising. Had to call for what seemed one waiter for 50 tables. Loads of runners, captains who seemed lost, overwhelmed, clueless. The two owners who circulate seemed oblivious to the chaos.
Conclusion: Food, price point good, but service and ambience not for the faint at heart.
John Dory Menu
rrems: I agree...Looks like they invested a million in decorating. Looks ugly, Disneyish. Probably signed their lease in 2007 for an astronomical rent. Surrounded by Craftsteak, Morimoto, Del Posto [2 Iron Chefs].. More like Murderers Row.
Best Oyster Pan Roast at Grand Central Oyster Bar for $9.95.
John Dory Menu
Up at their website. Very limited and very pricey for fare. Is anyone really going to order "cod milt" [seminal fluid] in NYC ? Sardine App for $ 20.00? Mullet [Catfood] for 28.00 or a Ribeye for two $ 110.00 when Wagyu at Craftsteak next door is $ 102.00? Will Americans take up expensive English pub grub?
We will see.
http://thejohndory.com/blog/
Adour
Agree. Staff snooty. Nothing outstanding in food. Atmosphere is stuffy. Wouldn't go back.
Center Cut Steakhouse Review: Standing Ovation !
Jeffrey Chodorow has sure had more downs than ups lately; the Rocco Dispirito debacle, Caviar & Banana, Wild Salmon closings, Bruni trashing Kobe Club, etc. So, he sorely needed to make a comeback. And he did, in a big way with Center Cut. Wisely avoiding opening just another NYC steakhouse, he opted to bring back the old classics, and succeeds. The room manages to be sleek but warm at the same time. A selection of clams and shrimp from the raw bar come with 5 great sauces. A lettuce and tomato salad with blue cheese was as delicious as pretty to look at. Steak Diane was a melt-in-your mouth winner , as was a sweet broiled lobster. A side of home fries was the real deal.. Great service too. Lest I forget the warm, oniony brioches...addictive. Finish the meal with the deacadent pistachio parfait with its hot homemade marshmallow sauce, hot fudge and pistachio ice cream, and you know you've been to heaven and back! Bravo !
Allegretti Dinner Review
RGR:
Limitations are qualitative as well as quantitative. The food shows very little imagination. For example, a side dish of "olive crusted mash potatoes" was a bowl of lumpy mashed potatoes with olive oil. An amuse of dry polenta with a bit of tomato sauce was as bland as the potatoes. I don't care how much they hype the owner/chef. Allegretti doesn't cut it. Try it before it fades away.
Allegretti Dinner Review
Boring food, served in a boring room by a boorish staff. Menu is very limited. Chef recently was whining he got only one star; does not deserve more. Wins award for tiniest rolls in NYC with thinnest slice of butter. Toughest duck I ever ate. Desserts are microscopc, and I like small portions. Ordinary food, nothing special at inflated prices. Do yourself a favor and go to the Olive Garden around the corner.
Grand Central Oyster Bar
Ignore the naysaysers:
The GCOB has the most consistently fresh and simply prepared seafood in NYC.
I know...because I've eaten in all....
Regretting Reservation at BLT Prime-Put me at Ease!
You will love it.
BLT Prime is much better than the Strip House.
Bar Room at The Modern, not for me
Simetria
The greatest parade of amuses and complimentary deserts, after dinner goodies etc., is at Bouley.
Check it out.
Italian: So Easy but So Hard: Need Advice
Thank you all for your great suggestions as well as taking the time to describe the accessibility. It is very much appreciated. Will give report.
Italian: So Easy but So Hard: Need Advice
I know this has probably been discussed here many times before so please bear with me. I am trying to find an upscale, elegant Italian Restaurant in Manhattan that serves authentic italian [baked clams, antipasto, veal parm. etc.], but am willing to compromise as long as it isn't excessively nouveau [A Voce, Babbo, etc]. Everytime I read reviews and get set on a place [Felidia, Il Mulino etc.], I read a corresponding horror story. Due to the fact one diner is in a wheelchair, San Domenico, Scalini Fideli etc., are out. Price isn't an issue. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Bar Room at The Modern, not for me
I think both Trish and Simetrias and everybody else make excellent points. Trish I think you hit the nail on the head with the pizza/price analogy. I agree with you 100%.
Simetrias, I gotta tell you those squash and potato dots were delicious but I need about fifty more!
Bar Room at The Modern, not for me
simetrias:
Hey, thats what makes the world go round. Tke DR is formal. What I find is at the Modern DR and EMP, the portions even stun me. Like a salad with 3 mini lettuce leaves, 6 sprouts and a carrot shaving. I remember I once had Quail with pureed squash and potatoes which consisted of 5 dots. No kidding.
Bar Room at The Modern, not for me
Simetrias:
I think you're missing the point. I have no problem with small portions; in fact, as I stated in my previous posts, we are not big eaters. I dont mind spending big bcks...BUT, I want exceptional if thats what is being advertised. Now if I dont get that and in addition am being charged big numbers and still walk out hungry, sorry thats not acceptable. That was my experience at The Modern DR.
Another example of Danney Meyer joints:
EMP-teeny portions but great food. I would rteturn
Gramercy Tavern-OK food, nice portions. Ditto
Blue Smoke-loved it.
Bar Room at The Modern, not for me
The Modern, Bar or Main is overrated. In the Main I got the tiniest Amuse Ive ever seen..Tuna Tartare the size of a dime in a 12" plate.
I call myself a "guerilla gourmet...My gf and I are not big eaters and we always split a main, have an app each and sometimes split a 3rd app. We share dessert. We both dont drink alcohol. I am not cheap and can well afford it. But, I am not going to be played for a fool either.
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
I agree...there is nothing wtong with retro dishes..but voodoochild2 described the BW perfectly...Also the matress d' reminded me of Nurse Rachet.
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
Yes...here it is.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/447356
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
Food not worth price neither in taste nor money... A Has been...Much better choices available..
Barney Greengrass or Five Points for Brunch.
Barneys,.
Five Points is ok-nothing great.
