BryanZ

Before I leave for Europe at the end of the week, I was wondering if anyone has any advice for one remaining dinner I have yet to lock in stone. For next Saturday evening I have a dinner reservation at Cinc Sentits as a back-up but am willing to consider other options. Perhaps something more traditional and not super expensive, like around 75ish Euro for a full meal or tasting menu. Abac seems really interesting, so should I consider that? Any other suggestions for this last dinner? Thanks.

Not to stray too far off topic but the first time I really "got" Mexican cuisine was at the Border Grill at the Mandalay Bay. I think there's definitely some primacy effect going on, but it's my most memorable Mexican dining experience. It was totally unplanned and totally delicious. I also really like the fish tacos and fish burritos at Lone Star Taqueria and the moles at Red Iguana, both in Salt Lake City.

Had brunch at Frontera Grill this Saturday. Made a 10:30 reso for one and arrived just as it was opening. I didn't have any problem getting seated. Started off with a cup full of the restaurant's spicy nut mixture. Quite tasty. Also got a Topolo Margarita; it was very well-crafted. I had two main dishes, one brunch dish and one platillo fuerte Sapitos: a trio of Xalapa-style gorditas (corn masa cakes) in chipotle-black bean sauce—each with its own topping: scrambled eggs, grilled chicken, chorizo and plantains; homemade crema and queso fresco. Enchiladas de Mole Poblano: homemade tortillas rolled around Gunthorp chicken, doused with Mexico’s most famous mole; black beans. The food was very good and very filling. The most enjoyable Mexican food I've had was actually in Las Vegas but this came close. I guess my biggest complaint, and it is minor and probably due to the fact that I ordered rather formidable dishes, is that the food was quite heavy. The mole was especially delicious in that way only moles are.

Nougatine and The Bar Room are similar experience, though the latter has more of a small plates feel. The Modern is a true fine dining restaurant in every sense of the word. It's also significantly more expensive. If you've been invited, I'd choose The Modern, otherwise for a more casual vibe The Bar Room.

I would go through your hotel via email. That's probably the easiet and most practical way to proceed. I've also found the conceiges at American Express relatively helpful.

BruniBlog just made a post about this. I have no problem picking up the bones off a lamb rack or squab leg, even in the best restaurants. I'm a little iffy on salads, in which some people enjoy eating the occasional leaf with their fingers. In some restaurants that's fine but I've never really felt that urge to. In general, however, I LOVE eating with my hands. Obviously petits fours, chocolates, and other post-dinner sweet and finger-friendly

In a perfect world, the perfect solution. Truth. You have every right in the world not to order anything. I'm with moonsqrl on this one. While it wasn't necessarily the nice thing to do, no one has any right to force you to order anything or to make you feel bad for doing so. So, just to recap, was it a bitchy move on your part? Yeah, but there's nothing wrong with keeping your best interests above the interests of others. If someone else is offended at the personal choice you made that in no way actively affects them, that's that individual's problem. Was it an even bitchier move on your mother-in-law's part? Yep, because she proactively singled you out and purposely attempted to make you feel bad. You weren't trying to hurt anyone directly, she was. The motivation for the respective actions is key and in this regard you have the high ground.

I once sampled a Tasti-D birthday cake. It was awful and, like, sooo not worth the calories.

From 90-220 Euro I believe.

If we're just using CaCl and Alginate then I've found it's quite clear that CaCl has a much more assertive flavor than the alginate. Therefore, it's easier to add the alginate to your s'fer of choice. As for "newer" chemicals, I know less. Buy some. Tell me how it is. To be perfectly honest, I'm not all that enamored with spherication as a cooking method beyond novelty. Still, you should continue to experiment.

The best fix would be to get new best friends by this weekend. It'd be worth it to go to Alinea if you haven't been. Or you could just blow off your friends--probably what I'd do--and go alone. Only 1/4 kidding.

I now have a new goal in life. I must eat at Robert's. It will be done, hopefully with a crowd of obnoxious investment bankers. I will report, with pictures if at all possible.

Think of it as dry British wit, however black and bloated it may be.

Yes, Doc's pictures are in the Topolo thread. Kind of confusing, but I found them. Apparently they take same-day reservations starting at 8:30 AM. I don't know, seems kind of foolish. I guess I'll try that or, if not, just show up when brunch starts.

I shill where I can. You can read my brief review of the Sofitel on TripAdvisor.

Will getting into Frontera Grill this Saturday lunch be really impossible. I'll be a single diner and have no problem eating at the bar, so when should I go? Exactly at opening, try to get in after the first turn? What should I order? I can't find a dedicated Frontera Grill thread.

This is true. But Upstairs and Degustation best fit the contextual "cheap" definition being used on this thread. They should be the paradigm by which we judge other restaurants. As Fat Guy states most items are in the teens (less at Degustation) with the occasional foray into the twenties at Upstairs. Again, in the context of this thread cheap (read: Shake Shack, Papaya, Chinatown) is not "cheap". In fact the "cheap" we are talking about is actually more similar to the "inexpensive" lunch at Jean Georges proper--which rightly does not belong in this thread given the other criteria. While this is not explicitly a "cheap" eats thread, it's still important to understand the right semantic definition. With that said, Atelier obviously does not fit under this classification, as others have noted. Momo Ssam is also an interesting case . While it certainly is "cheap" is has several undeniably expensive items. Chawanmushi with truffles, steak, seafood hot pot. I am NOT saying that these dishes take this restaurant out of consideration for the criteria set forth in this thread, I just think that we're focusing a bit too much on price here. The "new" paradigm is more about atmosphere and attitude than price. Even when you ignore price, Atelier still doesn't quite fit the new paradigm that was originally discussed in the other thread because it's not really young and chic; it's like mature and chic. If you look at the staff and feel the vibe at Momo Ssam, R4D, Upstairs its downtown cool. Atelier, Perry St. are not this.

For the quality of food you get they're relatively inexpensive.

Definitely the eggs, the steak, the chicken breast. All so easy when cooking for one or a group. I also LOVE my bath for holding purees, sauces, foams in an iSi, and all that. I use it for any plated meal I cook even if I'm not actually cooking sous vide.

More truth.

My conversations with Walter Royal led me to believe it was a big surprise. Being a woman or not white also helps in that regard. Gotta have that diversity.

It's funny how the world works. From SK to a random weekend in Chicago. I'd love to get your thoughts on Alinea, either in person or via eG. If you make any Chicago food discoveries, please let me know. I do hope our paths cross. And thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. They're right on target. I'm in Chicago for a recruitment event so large chunks of my day (and, unfortunately, most of my meals) are planned and am really just looking for ways to get a more food-cultured Chicago experience.

On a recent trip to Chicago just a few days ago I was fortunate to make it back to Alinea. Naturally, I enjoyed myself thoroughly but was unable to eat anywhere else due to the very short nature of my trip. I will be going back to Chicago this weekend and will likely be staying at the Park Hyatt. Although I will be in the city for a few days (Fri-Sun) I am not sure if I will have much time for myself. With that in mind, I'd love to hear about some good eats in the Park Hyatt area (800 North Michigan Ave.). Walking distance or a short cab ride is preferred. Ideally I'm looking for quintessentially Chicagoan food items that are easily grabbed if I have an hour or two to spare in the afternoon or early evening. My dinners are already taken care of, so I'm looking for "all-day" places. Price isn't so much of a concern but given the nature of my request I guess I'm looking for inexpensive, local-y items. Bars are less interesting for me because I can't drink. I'm pretty sure that the area I'm staying in isn't really a true Chicago neighborhood but would love any guidance I can get. Thanks so much for the help.

It's all in the Jean Georges thread. It's much discussed.

It seems that we just missed each other on our short jaunts to Chicago. I may be going back in a couple weeks with a bit more time, so I'll need some recommendations. I passed by that Portillo's place a bunch of times on my various cab rides but never though to stop by. When I was in Midway I picked up a grilled Chicago dog from like Gold Coast Grill (or something). It was quite good and looked exacty the same as yours, but I'm sure there are better ones to be had. I don't think I can ever bring myself to appreciate deep dish pizza. It honestly doesn't look all that appetizing, but I suppose I've never had an exemplary version. Perhaps one day. Your trip sounds great.