rich

I agree, but I think Porter House will be critic-proof. Unlike V Steakhouse, it doesn't need three stars to survive. Bruni's bottom-line is that the steaks are fine, and that's what most people will be looking for at Porter House. ← That seems like a fair assessment. And people want the chef to succeed. It should do well as an unpretentious steak house in a building built on pretentiousness.

Being compared to Outback by the NY Times reviewer in today's food section must hurt - ouch!

Excellent report 21C. On the surface it does appear a steal. However, it's rare that anyplace performs well on New Year's Eve. I liken NYE to Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas Eve or Day - never go out, the quality rarely, if ever, matches that of "normal" days.

Unless he tries to prevent the coat check from returning your items. ← Hey, I haven't broken a chef in six months - unless you count those body parts that were recently found on Staten Island. Steve - please explain the reference to his "spice lab."

Hi Steven, The lobster and egg dish sounds fascinating. Is the egg poached as well? I assume the diner breaks the yolk and not the chef. This sounds as if it would work with scallops as well. Poached scallops are rare in restaurants, but my experiments with them have been well received. Rich

There is a recent thread on the New York board about the Michelin Guide ( I still think they do tires better than restaurants), so I was wondering what people used before Michelin, Zagat, the internet etc., especially when traveling to other cities. I know Michelin has a long history in Europe (especially France), but what about the United States and some other countries? I used two: Where to Eat in America and Country Inns and Back Roads. Where to Eat was terrific when traveling to other major cities. My favorite category was "Where to Eat if You Only Have Time for One Meal." I was never disappointed with any of their choices. I don't think it's currently published. I used it in the 70's & 80's. Country Inns was published by Berkshire Press in Mass. It was a great traveling companion when driving through the countryside. I never had a bad meal or accommodations with one of their recommendations. I know the original author died and someone continued it afterward, but I think it's gone now. Again, I used in during the 70's & 80's.

I think they only do if you punch them out. Your kind of place, rich. ← I'm there tonight with brass knuckles. Speaking of Gallaghers (sorry to hijack this - but only for a moment). Friends went last night and called it the worst steak experience ever - and this from people who like the place and eat there regularly. Meat was tough and grizzled, crab cocktail was mushy and served over ice so it kept falling into cold water. They were so angry that I heard about this at 5:45 this morning. PS - they said my picture was on the wall with a large red "X" through it - never been "walled" before.

I noticed that at the end of the column, the reviewer mentions that sometimes they take coats and sometimes not. What isn't mentioned is if they ever return the coats they do take.

I always thought the definition of neighborhood place and destination place was: A neighborhood place is near where I live, a destination place is near where someone else lives.

I think you are incorrect. Maybe you don't work in the restaurant business so you don't know... but... ← I think you're 100% percent correct, not just 80%. I don't know anything. I haven't known anything for years. I am in awe just being here. Just for the record I was voted as the most stupid person on eGullet the last three years running and the second most ignorant person in NYC for the years 1975 through 1988, finally capturing the title in 1990-94. So just read what I post with a grain of salt, a dash of hubris and hefty dose arrogance. Nothing I say has a measure of truth, an ounce of common sense or a milligram of experience. It's merely anecdotal. The one thing I've learned in these halls, don't voice your opinion if you're not part of a clique - mob mentality rules. It's been a pleasure.

Everyone who's debating this whole scenario with me is forgetting one very important fact. I didn't assign Michelin the number of 80%. In fact I never gave it any number - that would be illogical based on my hatred for the current star system. I just picked up on what someone else wrote. Personally, I don't think the Michelin guide has much value - period, not 80%, not 70%, not anything. In my opinion they are not the definitive guide to NYC dining nor are they an important piece of the puzzle. It's just another company selling a guide hoping to make money off its name in Europe. Saying that, I still think my analogy is accurate and credible. If an expert witness is successfully challenged and proved to be inconsistent (I used "wrong" earlier because I was playing off the word "correct" used elsewhere by others) 20% of the time, then said individual would not be considered the definitive expert for long. When I was writing network news and sports, if my source(s) was inaccurate, wrong, inconsistent, etc., 20% of the time, I wouldn't use them again. Because if my information was inaccurate 20% of the time, I wouldn't have a job.

I guess since Michelin prides itself as being the definitive restaurant "critic" in the world, I expect more from them. Anyone can error at times, but in my opinion Michelin misses a lot more than it should based on its own standards. And yes Marc, I stand by my comments last year about the Tasting Room (the old Tasting Room). In my opinion, they served some of the best food in the city. It was their ambiance issues that ruined it for many of their critics. (Yes, I know you didn't care for it SE.) Let me make this analogy since several here are lawyers. If your expert witness was correct or perceived to be correct 80% of the time, that person wouldn't be your expert witness very long. My wife is probably the national authority on child-abuse and its prevention in the country and testifies and many trials. If she was right 80% of the time, her credibility would be challenged. Based on what I've seen and read, I certainly challenge the credibility of Michelin NY & SF.

It's not whether I agree with an individual critic or not since we all have personal preferences. This book is a compilation of many expert critics and claims to be the most definitive guide in the world (chefs have been known to do strange things for a star and stranger things if they lost one.) They supposedly follow strict guidelines and a singular format. So for Michelin to be 80% correct (and that's your number, another might say more or less) is a travesty in my opinion. And if this thread is any type of barometer, it would appear 80% is a very generous number. And let's remember, there are a goodly number of restaurants that are no-brainers as they appear on everyone's top lists. No one needs to be a expert to give Per Se three in New York and the French Laundry three in SF. Or to award stars to places such as GP, JG, ADNY, Daniel, LB, Cru, Babbo, etc....

I guess you're right Nathan - 80% is much more acceptable these days than 20 years ago. Times change, people have learned to accept mediocrity as the norm.

Maybe the entire star system is archaic and should be ignored. Slightly off topic, but I read the San Francisco Michelin didn't include Zuni in any of its star levels. How can anyone take them seriously????? These Michelin people may serve a purpose though - they make the NY Times look good and that's not an easy task.

Sounds like an infomercial for the "Power of One."

Everyone's getting way too serious about this. It's Times Square - live, love, eat and relax. Where else can you see three Disney animations disguised as theater - and have people believing it is theater? Times Square had to been cleaned up to protect tourists, but thankfully a few peep shows and porno shops still exist on 8th Avenue - just to remind eveyone of the good ole days. Now if Disney can only figure out a way to incorporate a hooker or two into their shows.

Actually it's not missing peep shows, it's the missing hookers. At least with the hookers you knew exactly what you were purchasing. Ever since TS has become "Disneyfied," nothing is safe from corporate scheming.

Maybe not, but the current NY Times critic will probably award it two stars.

You must have forgotten who is doing the review. Once you remember, the answer will become obvious. Clue - He is charter member of the NAC club and has been named its president-elect.

Thanks, Robert. I hope we don't find out for quite some time! ← Great report Doc and incredible, clear photos!!! A question about the Baked Potato Soup. Is that a piece of the Potato on top? And secondly, the broth appears thin, is that true? Interesting soup - I would love to attempt a crack at making some. Thanks.

The Times has been printing drivel for years - this example isn't a deviation from the norm. In fact, isn't their slogan "All the Drivel That's Fit to Print?"

Gee, I was sarcastic without meaning to be. I really thought you meant the physical plant, not the food. But as I recall, you didn't enjoy the food at the old Tasting Room, so it really had nowhere to go except better for you.

And for the record, as someone who ate at both BH and TR (old one) many times, I don't think they are similar at all. Both top shelf, but very different.

The location may be better, but it certainly sounds as if the food isn't. I actually enjoyed the small, cramped room. It gave the place a unique character. I know it was uncomfortable for some, but it reminded me of days past. Going through those doors was going back into a simpler period of New York City.