rich

I've been several times after the track as well as their sister restaurant La Parma in Williston Park - after the Belmont races. As SE said I'm partial to Park Side. Don Peppe and La Parma are good, but both use a ton of butter in their gravy (red sauce) and that's not to my liking at all. La Parma does a great dish with sauteed calamari in red sauce and Don Peppe does a very good Chinese Chicken. In Astoria there are two good Italian Americans - Ponticello and Piccolo Venezia. In Brooklyn there's Giandi by the Water, which used to be Prudenti's Vicino Mare in Long Island City in another incarnation and Bamonte's in Williamsburg (make sure you sit facing the door). In Staten Island, there's the Road House and Portobello. The Bronx has Roberto's and sometimes Dominick's. In Manhattan, there Rao's and Felidia. To a lesser degree you could try Il Mulino and hope you get lucky on a given night. But Park Side stands head and shoulders above them all considering food, ambiance, wise guy factor and wine prices.

To tell you the truth, I walked from midtown down to 7th & Waverly -- a longer walk -- but then deigned to take the subway back uptown when Morandi didn't pan out. ← Hey, walking is good. It's let's you eat a little more without it showing.

SE - You went from 7th & Waverly to 42nd and 10th - that's a long walk.

My wife and I had dinner last evening prior to seeing Frost vs. Nixon (outstanding play - I predict Tonys for the play and Langella). Thought the food was very good. Only disappointment was the fried eggs. The concept is fine, but the eggs were very bland - they need to be "kicked up a notch." The olives, grilled octopus, cod fritters, lamb meatballs and cheese plate were very tasty and satisfying. Excellent bread. One strange thing - I had to order three bottles of wine before they found one in stock. The staff should know in advance which wines are unavailable.

What about kissing four more different people and forget the chocolate?

Difficult, but not impossible. Per Se was similarly hyped, and managed to live up to it. ← The difference was no one saw Keller running around saying Per Se was four stars before it opened - or had video of him standing in Columbus Circle waiting for the NY Times chief restaurant critic and daring him to show up. Those types of things "enhanced the hype" and created some discomfort within the restaurant/foodie community.

I agree, but they do get some great EVOO at times.

Has TB become the Imus of the food world? Gee, I hope he doesn't attend women's basketball games.

Possibly, but the DP people were responsible for the hype.

Country and The Modern have been the two best meals I've had in the last year or so — better than Jean-Georges or Daniel.One factor that weighs on my mind: we usually order long tasting menus at these places. That's because, as we've neither the time nor the money to visit these places regularly, we are inclined to think that a tasting menu gives us a broader idea of the restaurant's capabilities. Also, if the chef has a signature dish or two, there's a good chance the tasting menu will include them. I do wonder if I would be as enthusiastic if I ordered the more typical 3-course or 4-course prix fixe. ← You could be correct Marc. We had the simple four course prix fixe and while there was nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't anything really special. My favorite meals of last year were WD-50, EMP and Blue Hill at Stone Barns and they were all extended tasting menus.

Sorry Sam, I gave the wrong name - it's Norma Kamali - but it's still not easy to find. You need to visit www.normakamalicollection.com then go to the "Wellness" section and then click on the gourmet section. There are several olive oils, some syrups, teas etc.

I was just teasing you Nathan. We're very similar when it comes to dessert. If I have anything after a meal it's a cheese selection. And when I go to R4D, I order the cheese as well.

I'm sure virtually every place has its fans and I respect all opinions. But I believe one thing is undeniable - that it never came close to living up to its hype. And that was the point I was attempting to make. As for the comparison to SM - I was comparing the success, not the bar crowd. Both are "scenes" in different ways. DP gets a celebrity/tourist dinner crowd, while SM gets a Wall Street/tourist bar scene crowd who only eat when they remember.

My wife and I were sponsored Monday evening. It never got more than half full and I don't recall seeing anyone at the bar. I thought the food was fine, but nothing special. The service was good and the place was user friendly. There was nothing wrong at all, just nothing special with one glaring exception. The flasks of Olive Oil on each table are spectacular. Designed by Norma Kamali, these 100ml containers are the most attractive "oil bottles" I have ever seen - and not being an ambience guy, that's saying a lot. In any event I have ordered three types from Norma Kamali and can't wait to use these during my dinner parties. As for the entire experience, I would compare it to the main dining room at The Modern - meaning good but probably not worth a return visit.

Not having been to either, could you please elaborate? ← A scene more than a restaurant - packs them in with tourists, celebrities etc. - as opposed to the food. But I agree with SE, the food at DP is good while the food at SM is a notch or two below that.

Only because he's a partner, not because he participates. Nathan, don't you recall all the press (before it opened) about how this was going to be Batali's flagship and he would spend most of his time there. What happened? Maybe he doesn't enjoy the food either.

Don't tell that to Will Goldfarb.

I agree with you Marc, it's a general success. However, it's not a success with the foodies or NY'ers who understand Italian food. I would rank it with Spice Market in its "success mode." Let's not forget the Times was obilgated to give it at least three stars since it was a Batali place at the time. As for Lape - well, no one is perfect. He also gave Chanterelle four stars a few months earlier than that. And as we know, very few people on this board would come close to agreeing with that. I enjoy the "New Yorker" food column (Table for Two) and while they don't give stars (thankfully), the review was highly critical. I don't think it received "top" reviews from most other critics. As for Michelin - it proves the point that it doesn't have a clue what it's doing in NYC - or SF for that matter.

...and the NY Times chief restaurant critic once again fulfills his contractual obligations. Wish I could have made a bet on this one - I could have retired.

I don't think he's allowed to give a Batali place less than three. It's in his contract.

Dollar for dollar, I always thought Landmarc to be one of the top 3-5 values in NYC. And because of the wine program, arguably the top. If they do half as well at TWC, that sould be considered an accomplishment. Good luck to them. I would love to try it, but the downtown branch is so accessible for us Staten Island denizens.

Very true, but remember MB rarely visits DP anymore. Prediction - someone will take over this spot in the future and create a real restaurant.

Do you know what place really DESERVES a review - Henry's End. It's been around for more than 30 years and I've been going for almost as long. It's full every night and serves quality food at affordable prices. It has a magnificent wine list and prices to match. A place that successful for that long deserves some praise and recognition. Granted it would probably gather one star in the world of the NY Times, but it would a star worth latching unto. And why not give something back to a place that's been serving the people well for three plus decades???

1000 Clove Road, Apt. 10C

WD-50, Sapori d'Ischia, Park Side, Gramercy (new chef), Aquavit, Daniel, Gotham, Roberto's, S'agapo, Bolo, Trattoria L'incontro....