Nathan

You're right I didn't call and ask "Say, I know you're a Danny Meyer restaurant and all but he doesn't like morph into Jeffrey Chodorow just for the day does he? You're not going to refuse to serve me cause I'm like a loser, right?" As for your first point, it's clear that you're unfamiliar with the layout of EMP. I also highly doubt that their turnover was any greater than a normal friday or saturday. in fact, it would have been less (more tasting menus....longer meals). oh, and the bar was half empty (as it always is)

So? Their tables were all taken, and on that occasion they weren't serving bar food. It's the same at Per Se, except they do it every night. What's inexcusable about that?I mean, it's nice to know that, on most evenings, you can walk into EMP without a reservation and be served. That doesn't mean they are obligated to provide this option every day, or indeed, on any day. ← I have no problem with a restaurant that doesn't serve at the bar at all. But that's not EMP. They choose to serve solo diners any day except for hallmark holidays. That's discriminatory and inexcusable. Furthermore, the famous Danny Meyer customer service made no attempt whatsoever to suggest a solution. He just doesn't want my business. Last time I checked, restaurants are supposed to be in the customer service business, especially Danny Meyer restaurants. Apparently that doesn't apply on days of revenue maximization.

EMP still offers food at the bar. Just not last night. And that's the problem. If it were their normal policy it would be different.

no. then I just look like I want a coupon or meal. it's not like it can be remedied. ← Not in the past tense, you're right. But, if you are such a believer in Humm's food, then certainly, it may flag the issue for reconsideration by the Meyer party. Would you return if the restaurant reverted to its former policy? u.e. ← which policy? I'm not stunned by the tasting menu policy change. It's the refusal to serve me at all that can't be remedied.

knowing me that was probably their rationale.

no. then I just look like I want a coupon or meal. it's not like it can be remedied.

EMP is a Danny Meyer restaurant. It's a machine. It's not like most restaurants. I'm sure they're hyper-organized that day just like any other day.

It is utterly immaterial to me whether you eat at a DM restaurant or not, but I wouldn't make such a decision based on the restaurant's performance on Amateur Night. There are a number of cases where I've had disappointing experiences on such occasions, then gone back on a "normal" night when it was totally different.I can certainly see why a restaurant would decide not to serve the tasting menu at the bar on V-day. Why they would discontinue the practice entirely is less clear, but maybe they want bar seats to turn over more quickly. ← they refused to serve me any food whatsoever. that's inexcusable.

they certainly didn't offer it. but then, like I said, the vaunted Meyer customer service didn't offer to do squat.

I had an absolutely fabulous meal at EMP last night. The "Gourmand" menu was stellar. There is just one minor caveat -- it didn't happen. I'm tired. I'm tired at worshipping at the feet of chefs and restauranteurs. Tired of restaurant groups supposedly known for service that discriminate against solo diners. Tired of a fricking Hallmark holiday on my fricking birthday which means that I can't eat anywhere. Apparently Danny Meyer is worried that the amateur night couples will be offended by the sight of a solo diner. It's not like I've eaten in DM restaurants between 21 and 24 times over the last four years (and I'm not counting Blue Smoke or the Shake Shack)...it's not like anything's ever gone from my wallet to his. I get into EMP last night. Head to the bar. It is at least half empty. They give me a wine list. I tell them that they can go ahead and get started on the tasting menu and I'd like to discuss pairings. "Sorry, we do not serve the tasting menu at the bar." "I know for a fact that you do...friends of mine have ordered it here more than once." "We stopped serving it at the bar a month and a half ago." Fine....lots of places don't serve it at the bar. Others require two diners (like Babbo). "I'd like an ala carte menu then." "Sorry, we are not serving food at the bar this evening." And that was it. No suggestion that due to the weather a table may become available....no suggestion that they could call over to GT and at least get me into the tavern room. No. Danny Meyer's not interested in solo regulars on a revenue maximizing day. Can't have the sight of us offending the B&T once a year types. It's not romantic and all..... I calmly and politely got my coat back....walked outside and out of earshot....and lost it. Obviously, none of it is repeatable here. Went over to Craftsteak and they offered me the full menu at the bar. Ok, so the meal was mediocre but Colicchio will now have my business. He doesn't discriminate against people due to some fricking hallmark day. (the point here isn't that I couldn't have had a V-day date...it's that I refuse to take someone else out on my birthday) I will, however, never eat in another Danny Meyer restaurant again.

Horatio and Hudson.

If I had to speculate...I think bryanz is probably referring to the tasting menus that EMP had a couple months ago (which were in the $80 range...dual...one meat focussed, one aquatic). unfortunately, they are no longer offered. but yeah, they're all in the same general price range now (except for maybe Ramsay)....the real outliers are Per Se, Masa and Robuchon (except for ala carte).

some constituents of the tasting menu haven't changed. they do have daily specials. the standard menu doesn't change much

New spot in the hood. small but interesting wine list. stopped by last night...had had dinner so just had a snack...a variety of small plates...along the empanada, arepa, olives line. the big attraction is a glorious massive beautiful brick oven in the back. they use it for a variety of interesting pizzas (they should use it for other things as well...a la Peasant). this could be a find.

thanks....I guess that will work then.

Does anyone know if they will serve the Gourmand menu at the bar? I still haven't settled on a place to dine tonight (I suppose there is a possibility that I could get a table since the weather has no doubt caused some B&T cancellations but I still want to avoid all that V-day special menu crap).

BLT Prime is the old Union Pacific space (Rocco Dispirito's restaurant back when he actually cooked). It opened after BLT Steak when the space became available (I'm sure there were all sorts of investor and lease machinations that brought this about). Last time I checked the menus were almost identical.

Sneakeater: of course, when you had the Atelier tasting menu it was "merely" $160. It is now $195. considering that the 25 course Tour at Alinea is $175 and that after tax and tip $195 is more than Per Se, I just can't see how a tasting menu at Atelier is justified.

Meehan now competes with Richman for the title of "best food critic in New York" [speaking of the Shake Shack] “Well, they have Chicago-style hot dogs, also known as the best hot dogs on the planet.”

Atelier would be ideal for a group but one can certainly put together a nice solo meal. (I would much prefer the counter over a table.) The plates at Bar Room at the Modern are small plates. The Modern proper has a traditional menu format (and an entirely different menu).

skinsey, we have a similar dining aesthetic....but I've had mediocre lamb chops at Babbo...and I've never had a mediocre pasta.

here you go: http://www.menupages.com/restaurantdetails...d=0&cuisineid=0

there's really not much to say about it that hasn't been said a zillion times. still has some of the best pasta in the city. apps are generally good. secondi can be inconsistent. for the Babbo virgin I'd recommend lamb's tongue salad, and several pastas -- maybe the mint-lamb garganelli, the foie gras ravioli, etc.... or go straight for the pasta tasting menu. as for the secondi, if you must, go for the "Sicilian Lifeguard" calamari...the cheapest entree ($23 I think) and probably the best one on the menu (as I think Reichl wrote way back when it first opened). if you eat at Babbo, whatever you do, concentrate on pasta. don't be like a friend of mine who went there and then called me up: "dude, Babbo sucks" "What'd you have?" "Some cured meats, those were good. lamb chops" Which pastas did you have?" "Pasta, I don't eat pasta in restaurants! That's boring. I make pasta at home...why would I want to eat it when I'm out."

the price point for Robuchon can be difficult to assess. I ate there ala carte for $150 (with booze, tax and tip). but doing the tasting menu and adding a bunch of pairings can put you back $400 (far too expensive for that level of informality imo). the menu pricing can be somewhat bizarre (the langoustine course is a bargain at $17!)

Stopped into Compass last night at 9:30 for a late meal. There was only problem -- the kitchen had closed. Does everyone go to bed on the UWS at 9 or something? It was empty. Seriously. Whatever happened to Monday being the new Friday? The bartender did rustle up some bread and parmesan breadsticks...which helped (I'd done some damage at the bar at an art reception). Didn't look at the wine list but both the beer list and cocktails show some serious thought - had an Apry based concoction. Does anyone know who did their drinks? There was one massively incongruous element -- the TV above the otherwise downtown-esque bar.