Foodguy

I wish!

At HSF again, today table 11 of us gathered there including two of us who have lived in Hong Kong. All of us stuffed to the gills and total bill $175 with tax and tip e.g, $16 a person. Tried just about everything: the tripe, chicken's feet, bbq pork in a sort of phyllo pastry, and the flash fried shrimp stood out I am sure there are a lot of good places, but you can't beat that deal or the meal

I am obviously a partisan, but give the "new" HSF a try and let us know

They can be inconsistent, but when they are on, they are on.. I go every Saturday with a big group and we used to rotate but have settled on HSF. One place I have heard good things about, but have not gone for dim sum is Ping's (regular meals are excellant) As to HSF since the beginning of January, they have always been on...but as long as you go to a place with carts, its ok with me

I love HSF!!!

I think she deserved it. The Times review influences a lot of people when making their decisions. She effectively helped "steer" customers to a friends and did not disclose the connection/relationship that she had with the chef/owner. To me, this is a clear violation of an implied ethical code that all reviewers have with their readers.

Perhaps not exactly on topic, but I had a horrible experience at China Grill on Saturday. Short version: Make a 9:15 reservation, entire party there by 9:05 told to wait at the bar, check in at 9:30 told that it would be at least 9:45 before being seated. We asked why hadn't anyone mentioned this before, and we were told, and I quote, "It is China Grill on a Saturday night, what do you expect?" I asked the guy if he was kidding. I was ready to leave my companions suggested waiting, finally we leave at 10pm and the guy in the front is still giving us an atitude about how our wait is not longet than anyone elses's. During the whole evening was their even a hint of an apology. The point of all this is -- if this how the front is going to be run at Mix -- well good luck.

I did. They said it was just too complex given the timeframe and number of turnovers -- I completely understand their perspective and the idiali/dosa combo was not on the menu, so they clearly were trying to please

Madziast: But weren't you dispointed as to how little shrimp is in the black pepper shrimp?

Had lunch a few weeks ago at Amma and have not had the chance to describe. The only bad part was that they do not do the tasting menu at lunch!!! I had gone the day before and asked if they wer doing dosas the next day, and they said that they would. When my guests arrived (4 of us in total) the waiter served us a wonderful appetizer of a dosa and idali with a great cocunut chutney and sambar. I have to say, and I am of Keralan descent, so I know my cocunut chutneys, that it was the best I have ever tasted (sorry mom). My only regret is that I was afraid that if I ate my idalis with a little sugar as I did as a kid, I might upset our hosts. 2 of us had the lamb chops --- BELIEVE the HYPE! They are out of tthis world. Others had the jumbo shrimps and the stuffed chicken legs, all of which was delicous. I forgot if we had dessert, but it was a great lunch and I had to roll myself back to the office.

Spice Market Dinner tonight. My wife made reservations at Spice Market a few weeks ago for today and I have been looking forward to it despite the somewhat mix set of reviews that have been posted on the board. Also, I have always enjoyed Ms. Hesser's writings in the Times magazine and thought that she can not be that off. I also figured she would be an ideal woman (or at least second most ideal aftermy beautiful wife): cute and writes about food! I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt as to the recent controversy regarding her review and was eager to check it out myself. I must say that I was slightly dispointed in the experience and seriously have doubts regarding her credibility given her 3 star rating. The room was nice, but in that overly hyped, psuedo Asian, let's try and recall the world of Suzie Wong kinda way that one sees at places like Tao or Buddakkan (Philly). The service was very good - everyone was polite and efficient. If anything they were overly efficient- for example the table starter of mini-papdams came with a very tasty sambal like sauce that we would have liked to have kept for the meal, but was wisked away so quickly that we never got a chance to ask them to leave it. On to the food, there were three of us there (served family style) and so our meal consisted of: Apps: Thai Chicken Wings - a very good dish, maybe the best of the night. Had a very good kick Vietnamese spring rolls - desspite Mrs. Hesser's raving, very bland and slightly greasy Black pepper shrimp - a very good flavor combination, but very little shrimp Main courses: Vietnamese chicken curry - very average, but tastiest main course Monkfish - not so great, coconut crusted with a Tamarind sauce, but verged on something that could have come from Mrs. Paul's Short ribs - again ok, very fatty and tender, which I normally like, but this was really fatty and really mushy Drinks: 3 mixed drinks; again ok, no reason to run out there We had no dessert Total damage: ~$150 Overall, sort of cool vibe - the downstairs lounge seemed like a good place to meet for a drink, the service was good, the food was not worth the price (and I thought the portions were fairly small). Having lived in Asia, I would say that this version of street food can not compare with the real thing

Thanks for the info -- Where is Keens

Sorry if this has been mentioned before, but what is the best subway stop from Manhattan? I have always gone at night and am very eager to try the burger at lunch. Figure the subway will be much quicker during the day

Can anyone compare the West side locations with the one at 2nd and 54th? I live on 53rd and find that location to be fantastic!

Sorry about my newbie mistakes. Will learn over time.

I live (and work in midtown). I am a little disapointed that you guys spread the word on Burger Joint -- it is already packed at lunchtime. These may have been mentioned before, but a couple of my favorite places: Island Burger Jimbos Parnells The Peter Lugers lunch burger The place near St. Patrick's cathederal (name escapes me) Billy's Also Louis Lunch (claims to have made the first burger in the US) in New Haven is terrific

I saw the article this weekend and think your club us fantastic and want to congratulate you all on all the good publicity. I really respect you because you pointed out that the corner bistro really does serve an overrated burger. Thanks again