Babiemindy

made a res earlier this week just to see if i can get in, read all the press about how impossible and gruesome the process would be, i didn't exactly have high hopes i'd get it... after a couple of days, voila, I'll be there on Sunday. no definite dinner companion yet went to ssam about a year ago, wasn't too impressed. it's a bit of a blur at the moment, but i remember the dishes were unique and unlike anything else they serve in nyc restaurants - which was refreshing. nothing particular stood out, and a dish or two were overly salted. the recent topics on this thread about how everything is pork-related is putting me off a little - the only time i would choose pork from a menu is if the other other option is chicken... perhaps i'll think differently after this meal. - if the treatment/ service from the chef and servers are sub-par compared to other 3-star restaurants, does that mean they do not deserve the typical 20% gratuity? (joking) nevertheless, i'm looking forward a culinary adventure on Sunday will report back.

Ocean Jewel has high quality and good food, either bring a large appetite or several people with you to try a few dishes. They serve dim sum during the day also and have their own parking. 98 39th Ave, across the street from Flushing Mall, about 3 blocks from the 7 train.

definitely Perry Street

We had a delicious meal at Soto Thursday evening. Prices were reasonable, would've ordered omakase if it was available. Uni is one of my guilty pleasures; however, it's an acquired taste. I'd happily return to Soto again just so that I can have the divine steamed lobster with uni mousse wrapped in lotus root. We were a party of 2, arrived a little before 6pm for an early dinner. The day's menu was still in the process of being printed. The waitress recommended that we order 2 dishes from each side of the menu ("from sushi bar" and "from kitchen") to share as well as some sushi from the back. After reading several reviews, we ordered most of our dishes from his creative specials. The steamed lobster with uni mousse and uni ika sugomori zukuri were outstanding - I am going back again for them, I wasn't impressed with the geoduck clam salad (seemed plain) or the chyu toro tar tare (the sesame ponzu sauce overwhelmed the tuna) as much. The sushi nigiri were good as well. photos The service was very attentive, we had 2 bottles of sake. The experience reminded me of WD-50 when we had to pour the broth out of the dobin pot for the dobin mushi soup (as if we were having tea) and then open the lid to reveal the shrimp and black fish. Another hands-on experience was the the mixing of the uni ika sugomori zukuri, breaking the quail egg and combining everything together. I don't claim to be a foodie or know about the intricacies that go into preparing a plate; however I can say that did enjoy the exquisite and well-executed meal.

thanks... what are some must haves?

I prefer WD-50 and Nobu over Trotter's. I was not impressed by the food or the service. They probably were just having a bad night... Chicago is a lovely town though. ---------- Saturday, September 2, 2006 Grand Menu Amuse Gueule Japanese Hamachi with Roasted Bell Pepper, Kalamata Olive Sorbet, Spanish Paprika & Basil Oil Alaskan King Salmon with Bok Choy, Sweet and Sour Duck Gizzards & Yellow Curry Sauce Whole Roasted Squab with marcona Almonds, Kinome Seeds, Sweet Onions & Morel Mushrooms Colorado Lamb Loin & Rach with Quinoa, Black Cardamom Mole & Ash Baked Eggplant Cantaloupe with Preserved Melon Rind & Lavender Cured Pork Belly Michigan Raspberries with Riccotta & Fennel Mignardises ---------- Some pictures from the meal, some may be a little blurry (apologies).

Oops. My mistake then, I thought Nougatine was what everyone's been raving about. I'm going to change my reservation for JG :-) Thanks for the heads up. I was thinking of going on a weekend so I'd have plenty of time to sit and enjoy. With that said, back to my original question... "" Planning to have lunch at JG. Is the prix-fixe (is there one?) enough for 2 people to sample the different flavors there or are there additional courses that are must-haves? What is the budget I'm looking at for 2 (say glass of wine each)... "" Thanks!

Planning to have lunch at the Nougatine. Are the prix-fixe enough for 2 people to sample the different flavors there or are there additional courses that are must-haves? What is the budget I'm looking at for 2 (say glass of wine each)... Thanks! (btw: I was at Trotters in September and was not terribly impressed, maybe I'm not meant to be a Chi-town kind of gal --- will put up pics in that thread later)

Working in downtown by Wall Street, there are a few Sophie's nearby- TASTY Cubanos ($5)! I especially like their New St. location :)

La Petite Auberge, Bistango, L'Impero, I Trulli, Tabla, Eleven Madison Park, Lasaro's, IXTA, Park Bistro, Les Halles... an assortment of different places near me that I go to every so often (different kinds of food and price range). I particularly like Bistango (3rd ave & 29th) and would compare it to Hearth. You won't find a review of this place anywhere and it's not a place by a famous chef or "complex" dishes but it has great dependable food and service... would Hearth have gotten this much attention without Marco and Paul's names attached? Tastes are simply a matter of preference...

Bux- restauranteurs could learn something from you! "... It's a simple matter to say, you're early, please come to your table and we'll be with you in a few moments..." I did not mean to say at all that the host was being "discriminating or being nasty." I do have to apologize if that's what it seemed like from my post. It was definitely "less than welcoming." There were people that showed up after us and were seated immediately (but they seemed like regulars), there were no one waiting ahead of us. I wouldn't doubt that they would've let us stand there waiting until 7pm if we hadn't hinted at the empty tables available. They do make a decent revenue from guests having drinks while waiting at the bar! I was simply trying to find out what other diner's experiences were when they arrive early at Hearth (or any restaurant actually)... I don't have any gripes with this place The fantastic food and service lived up to the great reviews- it's a complete different issue from the attitude of the host of the restaurant at all (being a native NY-er I often see that they like to "exercise" their power and have their ego stroked) I only said that Hearth is a neighborhood place because there are other places in around me in Murray Hill that serves the similar assortment of quality and delicious dishes that I wouldn't need to revisit Hearth unless I was around East Village. People that show up without a reservation were welcomed to wait- perhaps at the bar.

Doc thanks for your brief review and giving WD-50 such a high mark compared to all the other places you went to last week. I'm thinking about a few places to go for NYE, WD-50 is definitely one of the places I will consider now! Happy Holidays

I've been meaning to stop by Hearth all year long and finally had the chance to go last night. Overall it was a good experience. My reservation was at 7PM but we arrived 25 minutes early and they were not very accommodating. So we waited for 5 minutes and then my friend got anxious and asked them what the hold up was since there were apparently plenty of empty tables available. To that the host replied, "Right now we're seating on-time." Meaning that they would not seat us before the time we reserved our table. My friend gave them this look and they got a hint, we got a table in the small room in the back (which was nice, cozy, and warm despite what the other person said earlier in the thread about the small space and smell, etc.). But I wanted to ask the other readers and see if they've ever experienced this kind of obnoxiousness from the host at a restaurant before? Maybe we were at fault for arriving early? Anyway, the service was polite impeccable and the food was great. The water glass was constantly refilled and they didn't push us to get bottled water v/s tap. The bread plate was never empty. We had Octopus and Scallops (special) for apps, Sirloin and Sea Bass for main, gnocchi as a side and shared the apple cider doughnuts for dessert. All in all a satisfying meal. We left around 9 and all the tables were full on a Weds. night. Marco was in the kitchen and Paul was making his rounds. I agree with some of the other reviewers and would say that this is definitely more of a neighborhood place rather than special occasion.

Jing Fong is by far the best I've had in Chinatown (I prefer dim sum in Flushing much more). But if you're in the city, Jing Fong is big and spacious, not overpriced and their variety is not bad either. Otherwise I also like Golden Unicorn on East Broadway. There's a place next to OTB on Bowery that has good, cheap dim sum. I go there once in a while to pick up breakfast before I go to work on the weekdays. Shrimp Dumplings and a few buns for under $3. You can order it from the lady at the counter for take out, the food is right behind them so you can look and point. Yummy.

Great Jones is definitely worth a visit for good cajun food and Abita beer in the city. If you'd venture out of Manhattan: Mardi Gras on Austin street in Forest Hills (Queens) was one of my favorites growing up in the Gardens nearby. Just came back from my first trip to the Big Easy, Jacques-Imo was fantastic- everything we ordered was delicious, the portions were generous-- their cornbread was out of this world I haven't been to the one in NYC, but I'm still in awe and very impressed by his establishment in NO

Doc thanks for your wise words, but I won't be going after all. I was looking forward to it but then thought that I'd want to save this experience for next year... I would much prefer to go to the original FL in CA the spring than going to Per Se now. Since FL is the original! So instead of beginning my haute cuisine experience this week in NYC, I'll be heading south to New Orleans for some cajun comfort food :) Have a great holiday everyone!

Hi Everyone, I'm a new member, native of NYC. I just stumbled into this discussion group and found that all of your insights and information were very helpful. I have a reservation at 10pm next Tuesday (I don't know if it's a mistake or not since I have to work on Wednesday and it's also the company's company luncheon the following on Wed.). I'll be celebrating a special occassion with my boyfriend. I just wanted to find out from diners who's had late reservations at Per Se if they enjoyed their experience, was the food/ service rushed? (I called later to ask them to slide me into a earlier time if someone cancels... but 5:30 is early for dinner!) Some great pictures from everyone that were there, I'm thinking about taking some pictures as well and will share it once I get back. Does the waitstaff mind when you are snapping away at every dish? I am excited to able to dine there, this will be my first high end dining experience :p (I'm thought about making reservations at ADNY and Bouley but thought I'd give Per Se a try first since it seems to be the talk of town at the moment). I'm looking forward to the tour of the Kitchen as well, anyone can get a tour just by asking?? Oh by the way, the trick to get a reservation is to call promptly at 10am when the reservation line opens, if it's busy, hang up immediately and redial. Repeat. You should get through within 3 minutes, and then there's that wait to get a "real" person on the phone... my wait was only about 25 minutes and the hostess who picked up was very friendly. Frankly, I am apprehensive about being an inexperienced diner at one of these uber "fancy" restaurants, any advice would be appreciated :)