Mulcahy

From today's New York Post. Seems Chef's Theater is no more, at least through Labor Day. I bet it's done for good.

This is who won best of category last year. This is who won for particular varietals. I am a rank amateur at this stuff, but there seem to be a lot of very respectable houses missing.

Wishful thinking on my part. Sadly, you're right.

You are right, it did receive quite a bit of buzz pre-opening, but it strikes me as a place Asimov might have reviewed (I know it is not $25 and under, and also that you have started a thread on this topic). I have trouble believing that it is a "dining destination," however. The service might be excused if Jack were there socializing with the customers, but he wasn't the two times I was there (brunch and drinks). Both times I overheard customers complaining about the length of time it took food to arrive. Also one of the waiters and the bartender got into a shouting match, which generally made the customers uncomfortable. The fried chicken was great, but if the service doesn't improve I think they might struggle in NY.

Truthfully, no. I was actually surprised that she reviewed the restaurant. Maybe it got reviewed because it is an offshoot of such a well-loved New Orleans restaurant. The atmosphere is very mardi-gras party and rightfully belongs on Amsterdam Avenue between 80th and 83rd, with Brother Jimmy's, Firehouse, etc. It just didn't strike me as a "serious" restaurant that was shooting for a Times review.

Yes they will.

So I went home last night and re-tasted the fizzy riesling. I am clearly too impatient for my own good. The bottle had been in my fridge after having been opened (and re-corked, obviously) since Friday night. I poured myself a glass as soon as I walked in the door then putzed around the apartment a bit. When I got back to the glass about ten minutes later, it was delicious. The fizz was all gone. The overly alcoholic nose was gone. What was left was a wine that tasted of honey, pear, a little apple and had a beautiful finish. Thank you all for the advice. Next time, I will wait.

I think it very much depends on the patient and the types of chemotherapy. Two of my loved ones went through chemo and radiation and they reacted differently. Some people complain, on particular drugs, that everything tastes metallic and therefore don't want to eat. Others just lose their appetite entirely. In my experience chemo patients need to be loaded with calories. Protein shakes are a good idea, so are Boost or Ensure. Cook things that you can hide calories in, because large portions are daunting in general. In other words, if you make grilled cheese (one loved one's favorite through chemo) add as much butter as possible. Veggies are important, but what is most important is getting enough food into the patient, and in some cases it becomes very difficult. As others have suggested anything bland is good (yogurts, pudding, etc.). If you could let us know which drugs in particular yor friend will be taking, you might get even more targeted advice. Good luck!

Check out this thread for some very useful advice.

Carolyn, thanks muchly for that link. I am going to re-taste the bottle that is still in my fridge tonight after letting it sit in a glass for a bit. Ah, patience!

2002 Reichsgraf con Kesselstattt Riesling Kabinett Josephshofer $22 Ordered three bottles of this on Friday from a reputable wine shop here in the Big Apple. Opened one of the bottles on Friday evening and it smelled overly alcoholic and was fizzy to the taste. I could still taste the fruit in the wine but the fizziness was totally overpowering and the aftertaste was significantly alcoholic. This was not the wine I had tasted three days prior at a wine tasting (which is why I had ordered it). Needless to say I didn't drink the bottle. Too bad, as I was really looking forward to it. 1) What's wrong with it? 2) Do I return the other two bottles?

You can also find it at retail here.

When my husband didn't eat a dish at the FL (he wasn't feeling well) our waiter asked him, point blank, "There are dozens of chefs in the kitchen who will make anything you would like, are you sure there is nothing you would prefer?" We were stunned. I would expect Per Se to be just as accomodating.

Wine and booze are critical components of bridal and baby showers in my experience. Bellinis might be a very nice touch, or mimosas. May I ask what kind of cheese?

Are you serving booze? It sounds absolutely delicious.

I really like Chipotle, salt and all, and it is a welcome change from the regular lunchtime tedium of the area around my midtown office. My regular order: Carnitas Burrito Rice Black Beans Hot Salsa Mild Salsa Sour Cream and Cheese Yummy.

Hubby and I have been there twice. Once for drinks (to scope the place) and once for brunch last Saturday. Although much touted, hubby and I both disliked the bloody mary. Too much chili powder and other stuff (like shrimp). There are better versions on the Upper West Side, in my opinion. Brunch was very good. Fried chicken was excellent, moist and not too greasy. Sausage and cheese omelet also excellent (very good sausage). Service, though over the top friendly, is slooooooooow.

I went too, and figured there was a better than average chance I was standing next to an e-gulleteer. But alas there was no way to tell. The short-ribs were delicious, by the way.

It's down the hall at the Stone Rose.

Not to hijack this topic into either an a) discussion about Town or b) a discussion about martinis, but I think the basic difference in our experiences is that my martini was a vodka martini (gasps heard from purists ). Seriously, I was served semi-chilled Grey Goose up with tasteless olives. No vermouth. The bottle was never seen near my drink. This was before I learned (this experience taught me) to order my vodka martinis heavy on the vermouth.

It's an obscene amount of money for a drink. For this amount of money you can get a pizza, a decent meal at a chinese restaurant and a lot of other stuff. That being said, however, I was charged $14 for a very crappy martini at Town, which is supposedly famous for cocktails, at a cramped an uncomfortable bar. So I don't think that Per Se's pricing, given what others charge, is unreasonable.

Yes it most certainly did.

Absolutely. And Palladium.

I would have bet her anyway! Rachel is my first name, although I have no sister. I will bet her, whether I stand to win much or not. Good luck! Edited for stupid quoting problems.