Nathan

hmmm...they used to use guanciale not pancetta for the carbonara...

The bouncer acted appropriately. He did his job (I'm not defending the MD at all). When he sees a customer in a heated argument with a staff member with a raised hand (which you admit to having had...and for the record, that could be seen as physically threatening..in fact, I'm sure the bouncer saw it that way) its his job to get you out the door...by physically intimidating you if necessary. He probably thought you were drunk until he actually talked to you. Although I am a lawyer, I do not practice criminal law and the following does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion: I find it highly unlikely that it would have been assault for him to grab a hand that you had raised in front of an employee.

Agree with you entirely. (indeed, one friend of mine who frequently posts on egullet but shall remain nameless had exactly that reaction to both Pegu Club and Sushi Yasuda "what's the big deal?") I think Flatiron Lounge runs into the problem that it hasn't had the PR of Pegu Club or the M&H joints....I know a fair amount of people who've stopped there for a vodka tonic or a glass of wine...never realizing that it was a cocktail mecca...

as you seemed to ascertain as well... to me (as I've written on several occasions) that simple egg, creme fraiche and caviar dish is to me the most perfect foodstuff ever composed (and I say that as a man who doesn't like egg dishes).... of course, I have friends who find anything that simple..."boring"...but we can't all be minimalists (and Jean-Georges can be that or Bouley when he wants to...I daresay he could be Wylie too)...

I understand their cost level is high. With that said, I can essentially eat at Uovo or Bar Room at the Modern for the same price as a meal at what is essentially (very good) fish shack. Like I said, I don't think I've ever commented on prices before. (and the bloodies shouldn't be $12...a good cocktail, sure. but a bloody? heck, they're $10 at Eleven Madison Park)

I read it as talking about those places that people have a nolstalgia for and ascertaining whether that nolstalgia is really warranted. I thought the point of the piece was to showcase older-style Italian restaurants (as opposed to the Del Posto, L'Impero, Alto, Babbo etc. crowd), not restaurants that are in a decline (quality-wise). ←

"I have no problem with the piece being written or to the amount of space it was given, but on the chosen restaurants. With the exception of Roberto's, the restaurants chosen have long-since past their prime " That was the point of the piece.

actually, modern Italian food is clearly the one thing that he does know well. I'll note that none of the restaurants mentioned in that piece fit that description. rich, I have no problem believing that Bruni had an awful meal at Roberto's. it wasn't a review, he didn't claim to visit any of these restaurants more than once.

As a quick sidenote, I'll point out that I doubt that a Campari and soda will run you cheaper anywhere else in the Bedford and Downing area...

I ate at Fatty Crab last night. had: Berkshire pork ribs...these were ok...the glaze was a little sweet for me. Lo Si Fun: excellent, noodles, chinese sausage, carrots, greens, cilantro...in an excellent...perhaps slightly too sweet (by my standards) broth...but the saltiness of the sausage made up for it. Chinese broccoli with salted fish: this was a nice little side. Fatty Duck: not too fatty, quite good...had a little bit of a peppery kick. washed it down with a Lion Stout. if it wasn't for the neighborhood I'd be eating here far more often.

I should add, that as a non-driving diner...I would rather see a restaurant charge their parking cost (with a slight markup) to the diners actually driving as opposed to spreading the cost out across the menu for the rest of us.

oops...I thought everyone already knew this...um, there is one very pertinent fact here that you're all missing. My understanding is that Del Posto isn't parking your car around the corner. They have an arrangement with a local garage or lot. Part (probably most) of your valet fee goes for that parking spot. Del Posto is not in the parking business per se...but they're giving you access to one. That's why the point that $29 is easily standard for 4 hours of parking in the city is relevant. Cause that's exactly what you're paying for...simply mediated through Del Posto.

just one quick note: a. I doubt that most of Del Posto's customers are driving. b. $29 for 4 hours of parking is not outrageous at all by NY standards.

ok..here's some confirmation on the "chef's tasting menu" http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:iwyUM3...s&ct=clnk&cd=11 as of March of this year the menu was the same as what I had 3 years ago...other than the amuse and perhaps the squab. (btw, that was a near perfect meal, with near perfect -- if not exactly warm -- service.)

exactly. to me...the single most necessary reason for some sort of rating system (the particular format is irrelevant)...is simply cost. with limited funds I can't just "decide for myself"...the average diner isn't going to be spending time on egullet...ratings at least provide some sort of shorthand for them to utilize. on another note, is it just me, or does Bruni take his 4-star reviews (and demotions) more seriously than the other reviews?

I don't believe the chef's tasting menu has changed much in years (I'll also point out that its conceivable that Bruni ate at JG a couple times in the late 90's...)... the dessert format was the same 2 and 1/2 years ago (the last time I ate there). btw, that egg, creme fraiche and caviar is to me still the most ethereal dish I have ever had...

Rich, this one's for you... Eric Asimov gave the best defense of the rating system that I've seen: http://thepour.blogs.nytimes.com/?p=22#more-22

If I had to surmise, I think the digestive problems that some may have relate to being these almost certainly Wisconsin-style butter burgers...the crust on the burgers is indicative...

so eatmywords -- any thoughts on our beef brains at that Indonesian place on Friday...? that would seem to be appropo for this thread (I thought it tasted like tofu...not a good thing imo)

you chose your restaurants extremely well...congrats. with that said, msg didn't give you a headache...it doesn't give anyone a headache. mushrooms, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, soybeans etc. are all loaded with glutamates (as is Japanese cooking in general)... "Chinese restaurant syndrome"/purported MSG allergies are probably a reaction to too much oil and the like...(unless you're also getting headaches everytime you eat Italian, Japanese or mushrooms)

as an attorney I am extremely constrained in what I can say on this or any other legal topic (for fear of unintentionally creating a lawyer/client relationship -- although Maccioni is always welcome to give me a call and discuss a suitable retainer). indeed, I see inaccurate statements concerning legal matters all the time that I simply have to bite my tongue on. lets just say that there are many things in the restaurant world that could result in legal ramifications if someone were to actually bring suit (and had standing). btw, I have indeed seen male staff in all of the positions you referenced in the latter part of your post.

you can wear anything you want. its very casual. I was there with a friend last night after work (albeit after 11) and so I was in a suit...but I've been there in jeans and a sweater certainly... for chef spotters taking notes -- Wylie and Paul were in last night (among others)

the Spotted Pig has been out of gnudi on all 3 occasions that I have dined there.