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Aqueduct and Belmont, too?? ← Well Aqueduct is annoying now because that's where their racing, but Belmont Park is too beautiful to ever be considered annoying - especially after a horse had to be destroyed yesterday because the trailer floor broke through and dragged its hoof for a few miles. Just to note Belmont Park was voted to have the best New York sports arena food last year.

Eater, Mouthfuls and OpinionatedAbout have just declared the entire New York board annoying, including Flushing, Brooklyn Heights, East New York, Madison Square Garden, parts of Radio City Music Hall, the north and south ends of Central Park, the Bronx Zoo, Staten Island Ferry and the Long Island City/Astoria areas of Queens.

Does anyone think this thread is annoying?

It's quite surprising there is this much time and effort being spent on a restaurant critic who possesses the moral fiber, dignity and professional standards similar to an over-zealous gossip columnist.

Agree this will be forgotten about by 1:37am tomorrow, but at least someone has made the point about the Times' critic's favorite game - making personal attacks in restaurant reviews. It speaks volumes about his personality, character and lack of integrity. That the Times would continue the employment of this petty individual speaks volumes about their current standing as a reputable newspaper. As I have stated a few times - from the best newspaper in the country (arguably the world) just 10-15 years ago to being the third best paper in NYC (behind WSJ and VV) is a very steep decline. But one that is well deserved. (Not just food - but the entire editoral staff.) Congratulations NY Times - no paper has ever achieved these lofty heights in a such a short period of time.

I wonder how Gordon Ramsay feels this morning?

If I had hair, I would put it down.

This is simply presumption on your part. I have never been accommodated as part of a couple any more than I have been accommodated as a single if we/I did not have reservations. Never. ← Ms. du Bois, first let me say how nice it is to have you back after your brief hiatus. I hope the time off has rejuvenated your senses and palate. Normally, I'm just told to get out whether by myself or with people - at one restaurant anyway.

If I had to choose one tasting menu that says NYC (plus a terrfic block in an equally terrific neighborhood), therefore eliminating all the places that are copies, it would be Annisa. Babbo's pasta menu would be a close second with EMP right behind. WD50 gets an honorable mention as the most unique tasting of all the TMs, but it appeals to a certain taste and it was one of my top three meals of 2006. Of course (IMO) the best tasting menu in the NYC metro area resides in Blue Hill at Stone Farms (Tarrytown).

Well, at least Montrachet can't be under-appreciated anymore since it's closing.

no! bad food. shame about chanterelle, they used to be soooo goood. ←

Went last year at this time and thought it was fine, but nothing memorable. Two stars is at the high end. Maybe a high one - service wasn't inconsistent but definitely somewhat snooty.

I've eaten at both during the last year. I think Chanterelle still serves top food with outstanding ingredients. And even though I'm not an ambiance guy, that room is hard not to like. River Cafe is very good, especially for a restaurant with view. I was sponsored there a few months back and was impressed how well they have maintained quality and service over the years.

Under the criteria on little or no ink here and here only, these two restaurants certainly fit the bill. Chanterelle - it appears to get mentioned when someone is saying how time has passed it by. Interesting for a place that still "packs them in" night after night. River Cafe - rarely mentioned at all, but try and get a table - not easy.

Actually, per a recent article in the Post, crowds at Del Posto have picked up. The restaurant has even dropped its special Sunday evening menu, because it no longer needs lower prices to fill the dining room.[ ← They had to pick up - the numbers had nowhere else to go... Dropping the Sunday specials could prove problematic. They may have gained clients because of it. Without the incentive, it's back to the Olive Garden.

I don't have to get rid of Del Posto, the eating public (and Batali) has done so already.

Even if we accept your criteria (which I don't), what is Country a clone of? Zakarian has another restaurant, it's true, but Country isn't a clone of Town. ← Country would be eligible (as far as I know) since it has a totally different chef who put together the menu and didn't follow the Zakarian mold (as I understand it). I haven't been there so I can't comment. I would include all the DM places since they all have different chefs who go their separate ways. I didn't include The Modern because both times I was there, I was underwhelmed. (I haven't eaten at the bar yet.)

Hey, nobody here ever talks about my food/cooking - so I'm under appreciated.

I don't think it's unreasonable to order three dishes between two people and have them live up to expectation. Is there a "plate minimum" that would have changed my experience? ← In order to determine the bonafide stars of a restaurant here are the official guidelines as set forth by the powers that be: 0 stars - five dishes, no desserts 1 star - one dish, three desserts 2 stars - two dishes, no desserts, no wine, three bathroom visits 3 stars - no dishes, 17 desserts, three bar-stool seating tests, one bathroom visit 4 stars - 26 dishes, no desserts, 1/2 bathroom visit, six wines, one included gratuity, two visits to the kitchen and six pre-paid cancelled reservations at prime time.

If a restaurant is the chef's first in New York, I don't particularly care that he may have done the same thing, or a similar thing, elsewhere. If our time frame was three years, we would surely be including Per Se and Masa on our list, wouldn't we?If a restaurant is a very close clone, I would not list it (e.g., Nobu 57). But I think that both Perry Street and Del Posto are sufficiently distinct from Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Mario Batali's other restaurant properties. It is more than two years old and is not a NYC restaurant. ← I wasn't saying you shouldn't include them, I was asking for list if you didn't. BHSB opened in June 2004, but it's so good, it transcends the seven months and since it opened I've admitted Tarrytown as NYC's sixth borough. Bloomberg said it was fine. Okay my list if you don't include the clones (and yes they are clones no matter how you slice and dice). Same cook = same results with a little more/less foofoo powder. 1. Room4Dessert 2. Little Owl 3. CB (dim sum only)

That should lead the list of the most over appreciated (read over rated) places. As far as under appreciated: 1. Devi 2. Aquavit 3. Craft 4. Annisa 5. Mesa Grill

Interesting about the list is most of the restaurants are clones of others or places opened as second, third or fourth places by the same chef (in Del Posto's case, I think it's the 38th). What if the list was confined to "original" restaurants? However since the above list includes all - can't believe no one has put Blue Hill at Stone Barns on the list. Doesn't it meet the two-year limit (just barely)? If it does I think it's the most important opening of all.

Most perfect eggs - 90 minutes at 146-7 degrees (F) (63C). Whites are set and silky yolks are runny. Blue Hill recipe. They will hold indefinitely at about 80-90 degrees. Make sure eggs are at room temp when starting and use extra large eggs.

Just curious - what do you think are the 5-10 most important restaurant openings in the last year or so? Robyn ← Here is my list with a few "or sos" dating back about three years. 1. Colonel Sanders (Manhattan Branch) 2. WD-50 3. Blue Hill at Stone Barns 4. Colonel Sanders (Brooklyn Branch) 5. Landmarc 6. Devi 7. Per Se 8. Colonel Sanders (Queens Branch) 9. Cru 10. Colonel Sanders (Staten Island Branch)

I'm not sure where any of that comes from, but it's an indication of how our fair city's principal critic is perceived elsewhere. ← If he dons disguises then does someone else disguise themself as him? That could be tricky. Maybe he never went to GR, maybe the person disguised as him went, while he went to Varietal. Does anyone remember the 50's and 60's TV show What's My Line? This could open the door to a myriad of possibilities. It also explains why his reviews have been confusing - he doesn't know who he is. Possibly he disguises himself as Mark Twain or Emily Bronte when writing and this confuses the issue even more. Maybe he went to GR or Varietal or Porchetta as Colonel Sanders and that's why he made said remark in the GR review. Maybe I'm him and I'm just disgused as me to fool him or me? Wow, this is really confusing now. And what happened to the headline: Gordon Ramsay Lays an Egg.