GordonCooks

Thanks - It does sound like a good value. I don't get to NY as often as I like and it "is" Restaurant Daniel.

Any other suggestions for Daniel ? I've yet to hear from Jean Luc after 2 inquiries. A friend was there 2 months ago and I wanted to chat with him in regards to the list before we go on Saturday.

Wine Stores ? Depends on the wine - I usually leave the wine store with a case (20%) off. the most expensive bottle may be a $ 50.00 Cab and the cheapest may be a Trimbach Pinot Gris $ 9.00. I have friends in the business that are restaurant owners or wine sales people that will hip me to a deal or small allocations. Recently? I spent $125.00 on a 1970 Beychevelle and thought it was a value. Last night I paid $64.00 for 99 CSJ Cinq Cepages and winced. I'm happy to ride the coattails of some older (well-heeled) friends and always take advantage of certain wine events to have the opportunity to drink wines I would not otherwise purchase. I can think Restaurants ? I rarely spend over $ 100.00 a bottle unless it’s a special occasion or a special wine.

I’ll chime in with the measly three times I’ve enjoyed Trotter’s. For me, Trotter’s was the first restaurant to use the wine pairing as an ingredient to a dish. I believe it was 95 (has it been that long?); I was in the infancy of my culinary renaissance. I returned in 99 for the best of all three meals and later in 2001. Trotter’s service and execution have always been as close to perfect as a place doing 200 covers a night can be. Dishes I have not cared for were mainly my personal taste preference. When a place sets the bar so high for itself – it’s difficult to keep raising the bar higher and higher. When critiquing a meal –I would ponder if my (or anyone’s) opinion would differ in the meal was eaten elsewhere? Charlie Trotter’s “is” Charlie Trotter’s – it’s funny how anything less than perfect is unacceptable – But I think that’s how Charlie wants it and so, has to bear the responsibility To whom do I make the comparison? I’ve dined locally at Everest, Blackbird, MK, both of Bayless’ joints, Spago, Brasserie T, Aubriot, NoMi, Dining Room at the Ritz, in addition to (old) Daniel, Le Cirque (Sottha & Pierre), Lutece, L’Espinasse (Kunz), Le Bernadin, Union Pacific, Nobu, Morimoto, Le Bec Fin, Blue Ginger, Clio, Olives, blah, blah, blah, …..I would still put the 95 or 99 meal as one of my favorite personal dining experiences in the US. If anything, Trotter’s may feel dated in comparison because they rarely adjust to any trend – they do their own thing.

Thanks a bunch ! What about Next Door Nobu ? Anyone ? Thanks

My girl and I make our annual shopping trip this weekend. I'm planning on Craft for dinner on Fri and Daniel on Saturday. Hopefully my flight will be on time on fri - But if not, what is a good back-up plan for late night dinner on Fri ? Lupa ? CraftBar ? I'm staying at the Ritz Carlton - Battery Park so I don't want to go farther than the Central Park (prefer SoHo, FlatIron, etc.) What about Saturday Afternoon Lunch - I was planning in Aquavit or Artisinal but I'd appreicate any suggestions. We'll be in the Madison Ave area shopping. I'll try to jot down notes on Daniel to post before I have too much wine Thanks

Is this after you put the pot in the sink and ran cold water over the lid ?

How about the Cabs ? Laube himself scores at least a dozen wines over the CSJ, Pine Ridge, and the Whitehall.

There's a dining room upstairs. They offer a lunch degustation with wine pairings that very good and not expensive. If you choose to go elsewhere - How about Jamie Kennedy and the ROM or Pangaea - both are a little over a block away.

I've had Felton Rd Pinot and it wasn't particularly memorable. I remember thinking that the price point was way high for a NZ pinot. I drank it with a Brick House and Domaine Carneros and thought they were both better.

I forgot - dull cutlery Whenever i'm lending a cooking hand - I travel with my own knife set and wood board (hate the glass ones)

Overcooking fish & veggies Inferior spicing (i.e. inappropriate amounts of salt & pepper or using spices of poor quality) Frying - At temps that are too low.

Artisinal as applied to Cheese or Bread: The producer taking every possible step to insure the best quality of the end product in terms of ingredients, technique, and taste without sacrificing for quantity Artisinal as applied to Cabernet: The producer taking every possible step to insure a case production of less than 200 and a price of at least $ 75.00 per bottle

Bux - If you did the new website - It's outstanding !

Still no list - I think I'm out of luck

Have you been to Lemon Grass ?

Wow, I've got friends at Dinosaur Rochester !

My little sister handles the pies (usually store bought - I don't let her come empty-handed) The Lobster dip is a simple recipe - 3-4 large tails - chopped into chunks 1 large tin of lump crabmeat 1 16 oz container sour cream or yogurt 1 16 oz container "Fresh" ricotta - If other - drain in cheesecloth 1 cup marscarpone or cream cheese 2 eggs 1/2 cup finely diced celery 1/2 cup " " sweet onion Fresh Parsley - chopped Fresh Chervil - chopped S&P 1 tblsp Old Bay seasoning (don't let anyone see - it's the secret ingredient) Adjust the amount of crab/ricotta accordingly – should have the consistency of potato salad – thick and spreadable – not overly runny Mix and bake in the oven for 15-20 mins @ 350 or until bubbly Change the seafood for Spinach & Artichoke and Reggiano parm and spices and you've got my Spinach Dip recipe

Yeah, the food My family is up for anything - my girl's family is pretty conservative Apps Shrimp Cocktail Artichoke & Spinach Dip Lobster Dip with sweet potato gaufrette Zucchini Marinara w Olive foccacia crostini Salads Field Greens with balsamic vinaigrette Pear, candied walnut, and Maytag blue with Dijon vinaigrette Tropical fruit salad Mains/Sides Big, Fat Turkey stuffed with sweet onions & Macintosh apples Spicy Sausage & sage stuffing Creamed corn Mashers Roasted asparagus with aged balsamic and fresh mozzarella Caramelized baby carrots with pecans Corn Bread Crescent Rolls Baked Manicotti

Duetz Brut Rose Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir 1999 Beaujolais Noveau Guigal Tavel Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rose 1999 Trimbach Pinot Gris - 2000 and some food too.

Was the egg/truffle dish on the menu or was it a special ? My girl and I are there on Dec 7 and it sounds like a winner - Was there a wine pairing ?

Scroll, scroll, scroll your post gently down the screen Merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream

Any of the ones you'll see in specialty italian stores work great. I also got the attachment for my kitchen aid mixer but you lose the "feel" of the dough and sometimes go a little thin.

I was just informed that Jean Luc is in France and my request has will be addressed when he returns.

I think an advantage to that scenario is exposing you to a inexpensive wine that drinks as well as a more expensive counterpart. Keep that info on hand for your next trip to the wine store.