rich

Very true, but the statement makes a point of singling out the Chinese. Don't forget it follows the line about great Chinese restaurants following the money and the best (in this country) are found in Vegas. The quote lends credibility to the stereotype. I doubt very much she was suggesting Chinese people visit Vegas to see the Hoover Dam or Lake Mead.

Read my above post. C'mon Steve, you understand the gambling reference as well as I do.

There are not a lot of ex-pats in Vegas either.

Explain the Vegas reference.

Shakespeare, everyone, Shakespeare had the answer: Much ado about nothing. The quote was cute, funny and generated some honest hostility - some people even got to vent. Now they feel better - they have cleansed themselves. Everyone take a deep breath or two. I think the reporter deserves a Pulitzer. It's not often a simple quote can generate this type of anger, hatred and animosity. Bravo! Curtain Call! and Bow!

Did you see the video clip? The relevant discussion in the video starts at minute 31:45. At any rate, you're missing the point. Her argument is that cuisine (not just "food") follows money, and a critical mass of affluent Chinese demanding Chinese cuisine would beget fine dining establishments to fille that need. Perhaps you disagree with her premise, but it doesn't sound implausible to me. There are obviously many affluent Chinese-Americans in New York today, but are they eating Chinese food? If so, where? Please, enlighten all of us. ← No, didn't see and after reading that remark, I wouldn't waste my time. Is this supposed to be a riddle? Well, let me take a wild stab at an answer - at the same places other affluent people choose to eat. I don't know why there are no great Chinese restaurants in New York, but I certainly know it has nothing to do with a lack of Chinese affluence. Anyone with a decent pair of eyes understands that. You don't need a PhD in economics. Let's not get silly. It's a borderline offensive statement especially when followed up with the Las Vegas reference. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence can read between the lines and understand she meant because there's a substantive number of Chinese gamblers - and that's offensive. What's next - all Italians are connected, all Scots are cheap, all Irish are drunks, all Poles are stupid. Remember if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and sounds like a duck, odds are it's a duck. I'm sure she didn't mean it the way it came out. Her words got in the way of her common sense. We all do it at times. Ruth is an expert on food and food trends, however when it comes to the socio-economic realities of NYC, she's obviously out of her league. If she truly believes there's not "Chinese money" in NYC, then she's a card carrying NAC'r.

That there's not "Chinese money" in New York? You can't be serious - not only is that remark totally ludicrous, it borders on offensive.

And I always thought she was very intelligent. Well, I guess that proves the adage that if you open your mouth too often, anything can come out.

The old wobbly table syndrome (WTS). There are many remedies and most are self-medicated. First, ask for a matchbook cover and place underneath offending leg. Second, use extra napkin under offending leg. Third, remove offending leg and balance table on remaining three. Fourth, throw table through nearest window and proceed to eat on floor, which has no offending legs. Fifth, asked to be moved to another table that has perfectly good gams. Sixth, fling table at first restaurant employee to pass by - it's a guaranteed attention grabber. Seventh, sit at the bar where no legs will ruin your enjoyment (make sure the bar stool has shapely, straight legs). Eighth, pretend you're on a cruise ship and sailing through a storm. Ninth, make sure the table tilts toward your dining companion - that way no food or liquid will fall on you. Tenth, after the meal complain of sea sickness, sue the restaurant and leave without paying. All of these remedies have a very high proven cure rate. And while some may be a bit more drastic than others, I have used each one over the years will success. I will never again allow my meal to be ruined by WTS - I have taken the cure!

I have probably read or heard 100 stories about the hole in doughnuts. The most believable to me was the baker who would cool his pastries by piercing a hole through the middle and hanging them on a stick to cool evenly and avoid grease on one side. Eventually he just cut out the hole before baking/frying. But Dunkin' Doughnuts has fueled the fire by just selling the holes and eliminating the rest of the pastry.

There are any number of valid reason why avant-garde type places don't do as well in New York as some other cities. Steve's neighborhood theory is correct as one factor and several more can be mentioned. I'll list two. New York is a bigger tourist town than either Chicago or Washington and tourists tend to eat more conversatively. They're more apt to try the chefs that have become popular on the Food Network than go for a meal at WD-50. The tourists flock to places owned by Bobby and Mario or places that have an NYC "state of mind" appeal- USC, PL, Sparks, Grammercy to name a few. Secondly, though New York is known as a "hot bed" of social liberalism, it's never been that way with its food. A large portion of NYC's population is ethnic oriented and tend to eat within their own ethnicity or other ethnicities that they have become familiar through friends, marriage, neighborhood etc. Even when I invite some of my old neighborhood friends for dinner, I need to be very careful about what I serve. Their range of culinary motion is quite limited with rare exception. As to why Chicago and Washington have accepted this type of cuisine somewhat more readily, the answers are a bit more simple. Washington is as international town with a large part of the population being diplomats, etc who have more experience with the avant-garde type of cooking. Chicago does not have the myriad of extensive ethnic neighborhoods that exist in New York and it's more of a compact city. It's population is more cosmopolitan on a percentage basis and its cost of living is somewhat less. All this leads back to Steve's neighborhood theory, which I believe is absolutely on the mark. Just my thoughts.

Had dinner last evening with my wife. Food and service were top-notch as usual. But I must relay two totally different events that occurred. One is very, very amusing. The other showcases the level of customer service at USC. We were seated in the small room directly behind the bar (my favorite) and directly across from us sat a couple (30s, early 40s). During the entire 2 hours (they were on dinner when we were seated) of their stay, they were making out. And I don't mean just a kiss or something, but really going at it. At one point a waiter, who was serving the table next to them, tripped on one of the woman's shoes (she had both off). It was really dinner and a show. Unfortunately for me, I was in a direct line and try as I might to ignore them, it was impossible as they were always in my line of sight. A few times I had to completely turn my head to avoid laughing. After they left, I asked our waiter if the crew had a good time joking about them. He said is was the talk of the BOH. Even the cooks wanted to know what was happening next. They really needed to get a room - in a hurry. When another couple was immediately seated in the corner, I was tempted to suggest they spray the area to cool it down. This was really dinner and a show with no cover charge. The other incident occurred when my wife and I ordered the cheese plate for dessert. It took a little long to arrive (10-15 minutes). We never said a word because we were talking and sipping the rest of our wine, but the waiter and hostess came over separately to apologize for the delay. We told them it was fine, we weren't in a hurry. When the cheese plate arrived, our waiter brought two glasses of chianti for us, saying we probably drank more wine while waiting and hoped this made up for the delay. And since we were drinking a California Sangiovese, he kept us with the same grape. We thanked him and were totally impressed - remarkable customer service for such a minor glitch. All in all a typical NYC evening - great food, terrific wine, outstanding service and a good helping of spice.

I had one meal at The Modern and it was good, but not memorable. I think the bar menu/room is the way to go.

This is beginning to sound like a government report.

It's probably "leaf season" there.

Given your parameters, I would recommend Jean Georges or ADNY. There's also nothing wrong with your original first choice, Per Se, but if you've been to The French Laundry, I would recommend trying something new. On the other hand, if you were really wowed by TFL, then Per Se will probably wow you too. I've been to Per Se twice, and it is a unique experience.All of Rich's suggestions for "non-amateurs," although very fine restaurants, are operating at a lower level than Per Se, ADNY, or JG. ← Rich - I'm here asking for suggestions, so I appreciate your advice. That being said I agree with Oakapple that those restaurants "may" be a notch below the ones I referenced. Annisa, Cru and WD-50 are all places on my short list to try. However, I don't see them as "once in a lifetime meals." Maybe I'm chasing something that is unattainable. I've eaten at quite a few restaurants over the past 20 years with the top four being at Jean Louis at the Watergate, Le Francais outside of Chicago, The French Laundry, and Jean Georges. I'd like to have one of those rarified experiences for my 40th Birthday without concern as to cost. Therefore, its up to that level that I compare the restaurants. Again, I truly appreciate the time you and the other posters have taken to respond to my request. Thank you. ← You are seeking that rarified air type place - a once in a lifetime night to rank with your top four meals. I think Stone Barns would qualify if you let them cook for you and if you booked a room at The Castle, but I think the Inn at Little Washington would work just as well. Aside from that, I don't think there's a place in NYC which would qualify - they all have strengths and weaknesses. Here's a thought. Make a chef an offer he/she can't refuse and have one of them come to your house to prepare dinner. That would be a once in a lifetime experience. Maybe Bouley or Mario or Bobby would do it for the right price (not money, but PR/photo opportunity). Hey, it would be worth a shot to contact them.

He volunteered that it was a "wrap" of some sort. Maybe that's what he meant. ← Hold it, hippos don't have shells. ← Ooops, you're right. I confused my hippos with my rhinos.

Oh, I've been preserved alright!

Operating at a lower level - yes. But the food and surroundings make up for the difference. JG and ADNY (as well as PS, as mentioned above) are unquestionably 4-star places, but all three are a bit "stuffy" when he comes to service and ambiance for my taste. If I'm going out for a special occasion, I would prefer something a little less formal and a little more festive.

The worst part - I broke him in that first day.

Isn't that redundant?

True, but you're not supposed to eat the hippopotamus with the shell intact.

Just to note - Per Se would be one of the last places I would go for a special occasion. My wife and I went for our 25th Anniversary and while the food was outstanding, we were both turned off by the service. They did everything right, but too right. The hushed tones and formal service went over the top in our opinions. I didn't write that then, but over time it has continued to reverberate in our memories. I think the euphoria of the evening has given way to the reality of passing time. PS is without question a four-star resto, but for a special occasion, I would rather go to a funeral home - there would be more laughter.

Rich - Thank you for your response. I am however surprised by your suggestion as I never thought of any of them (except maybe Blue Hill) as specail occasion restaurants. I was expecting 4 star restaurants not 2 stars (I believe Blue Hill is 3 stars - not trying to star a flame war here). WD-50 is out as my wife will not be able to "handle" the interesting cuisine. Annisa and Cru are on my try list however, the thought of either one doesn't do it for me for a very special occassion dinner. Blue Hill on the other hand sounds interesting, however, the online menu looks ... I hate to say "pedestrian". I'm sure the food is fantastic however, it doesn't excite me. If it wasn't 5 hours away, I would seriously consider the Inn at Little Washington for dinner and an overnight stay (the same money as staying at a NYC 4 star hotel). Anyway, I may have to cancel my Per Se reservation for 4 as the couple who was coming with us needs to pull out and Per Se doesn't have availability for 2. Although I was there for dinner quite some time ago, I might instead make a reservation for Le Bernadin and try the chef's Tasting Menu (the duo of Eric Ripert and Michael Laiskonis sounds good to me). Again, I appreciate your advice. ← Don't get caught up in the four-star hype - that's for amateurs, you're better that that. Some places that haven't received the "vaunted" four star rating are doing some interesting things and in most cases are better choices. WD-50 - Innovative, creative food, that will have you and your wife wondering what's coming next. Very nice bar. Perfect for special occasion. EMP - Pleasant room, terrific bar, excellent service, probably the best variety of unique tasting menus available in the city at present. Perfect for special occasion. Stone Barns - romantic and elegant site. Food is impeccable and service is professional and friendly - kitchen is very accommodating to specific requests. The Castle (a great hotel) is ten minutes away for a overnight stay and great breakfast. Can't do better for a special occasion. Cru - Excellent bar, very professional service, outstanding wine list and some of the more interesting food in NYC. Very appealing room - great special occasion dinner/drink spot. Annisa - simple, yet elegant room with some of the most creative food in the city prepared by a very hard working chef/owner. Bar is fine. Service is outstanding, great area for a walk after dinner - especially if you meander ten feet west to One If By Land for a drink at the bar and listen to the excellent piano player (he does take requests for that special song). A top choice special occasion place and area. Remember the four-star places are opinions like everything else - some of them deserve their rating, a few don't anymore. Ignore the stars, follow the food - it will lead you to a better place.

You should be ashamed...