flinflon28

Went on Saturday at 5:00 and noticed they didn't open till 5:30. Came back a 5:29 and the line was a half a block long. We were able to get in as soon as they opened the doors. For being slammed so quickly and it was obvious that it wasn't going to slow down service was very friendly and helpful. We both had the kimchee stew and the dish hasn't missed a step from the last location. I almost wish they would take it off the menu so I can finally order something else but as long as it's there I will always order it. Ice cream was delicious. Pumpkin flavor.

There are also a number of prominent chef changes that he didn't re-review, such as Alain Ducasse and Gordon Ramsay. His blogging is about 80% "non-food" related. ← Perhaps but even as this attachment shows he is making a point on his blog to revisit places he's been or check out places that have been overlooked. This is from April of this year and written by Bruni: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...757C0A9619C8B63 This week the Dining section introduces Dining Briefs, short reviews that include first looks at new restaurants, updates on places that have been reviewed or overlooked and critiques of bars and lounges that offer noteworthy drinks and food. The feature will provide an informed opinion on places around New York City that are worth consideration even if they don't receive a full review in Frank Bruni's Restaurants column or in $25 and Under. Dining Briefs will alternate every other week with $25 and Under. I guess my only point is that the chef's decision to not to do anything different when the Times critic is spotted there is a cavalier one these days.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. It's become clear during Bruni's tenure that he has been re-reviewing restaurants if there is a chef change and is also blogging with some frequency meaning that any time he is in your eatery it would be to your benefit to be on point. While I wasn't working there during the initial review I was told by other kitchen staff that the Bar Room chef took the same approach at that time. As it turns out it was a re-review of the Bar Room without including the main dining room and it actually got bumped to three stars. While that decision is still one of the more "interesting" ones Bruni has made during his tenure I found it interesting that the Chef's attitude never changed.

Yes...the other side of the coin there.

When I was cooking at the Bar Room at The Modern in and Bruni came in (definitely a surprise as we had already been reviewed) the Bar Room Chef insisted NOTHING be changed from what typical service would have been like. Just asked everyone to make it with care but at no time were portion sizes changed, better proteins selected...even the server who ended up with the table wasn't even told it was Brunil till after the meal. He trusted his kitchen crew and felt the food spoke for itself without any alterations.

I ate at 8 1/2 about 4 years ago with the same type of coupon. The space is a bit dates but if you've never been you should check it out for the design alone. The "Norma Desmond" type staircase is really something. The food while not extraordinary was good.

Sorry to hear about your dissapointing meal. I had a six week stage there in 06 and can say with some certainty that one dish only received a touch of the microwave in the time I was there.

Last year I bought a quart of kimchee at the Greenmarket in Union Square but for the life of me I can't remember were exactly. If I had to guess I was facing thr Barnes & Noble when I was making the purchase. Great kimchee but haven't seen it since or am not looking in the right place. Does anyone know?

I did the half pig for a birthday last December. Worth every penny. We were six people with decent appetites and still had about 4 containers of leftovers. Amazing.

Sounds like you hit some great places!

I think they do a really nice job with this dish too.

I've only recently started going to Otto this year (I avoided that space because it always seemed too crowded and had heard mixed things) but my visits have been pretty good. For the price point the food is more than passable but ordering cautiously is definitely key. I've also discovered some nice wines there that I otherwise would never have stumbled across. Going on Sunday as soon as dinner service starts before it gets too crowded has proven to be a decent strategy so far. That olive oil gelato is something else. Love it.

I usually find Strong's postings (I don't even consider them reviews) to be fairly unreliable but her recent one for Toqueville was so over the top positive that I REALLY want to go to the new location.

They have removed the kiddie size from the menu for this season, although I'm sure you could probably get it if you asked nicely. ← there's always the pooch-ini. ← Better remove the dog biscuit first....or not as is your wont.

Yesterday was a strange night though. I visited two bars last night and both were nearly empty.

The most notable thing about the lunch was that the service was relaxed and almost too attentive. Probably because it was their first week of lunch and they were very overstaffed. I don't remember the exact dishes that we had (and that might say quite a bit) but nothing was poorly prepared or substandard. If anything it was all a notch above average. What I really didn't like more than anything else was the straw carafes of wine. Just kind of....not pleasant to look at especially after they start to stain with red wine. Perhaps not as noticable at night but in the unforgiving light of day it was pretty funny.

And apparently a $48 three course menu. Since I live three blocks away I say it's finally time to try this place soon! http://www.nypost.com/seven/04042007/enter...teve_cuozzo.htm

I think you nailed it.

The best thing that could happen is they price it low enough that Meehan reviews it, rather than Bruni. ← I don't think it's possible for a place getting this much hype and buzz to fly under the Bruni review. Just hearing some of the ingredients involved in the tastings ensures the pricepoint will meet the requirements for a regular review and the blanket of coverage almost invites it. Not to say they're flaunting for stars or anything but I feel they'd be affronted if Bruni passed.

Lunch at Morandi was decent today. Go for lunch while you can. 12:30 and we had the place to ourselves. Report on food to follow.

The lamb dish and the gnocchi w/ fried sweetbreads at the Bar Room are two of my favorite dishes in NYC right now. The tarte flambe is no slouch either.

They've been doing that on and off since '05. Blueberry was the best! ← I believe that it was just the filling before. Now it has the crust as well. ← I worked there in '05 and we were using the whole pie.

They've been doing that on and off since '05. Blueberry was the best!

Have plans to go here Wed in the evening. Is Wed the new Thursday yet?

When I worked at the Modern we would sometimes go there for an after work snack. Cooks from Le Bernardin and other restaurants in the area do too. Just delicious street cart food. Very well made and nice customer service. I've known cooks that have moved to Philadelphia and sometimes drive up late at night on a crave mission. I believe he has a fansite too.