bpearis

I meant St. Marks Pl has better food options than 42nd st. around Broadway. In addition to the GS, I really like Yakitori Taisho, La Palapa's pretty good (haven't been in a long time), Typhoon Lounge. As for getting the food spicy at Gran Sichuan, I know they woulda made it a lot spicier if we'd asked them too. The staff is very friendly and accomodating.

It's like you're in a Manchurian Candidate brainwashing sequence or something. It wasn't crowded when I went (maybe 6pm Saturday) but I think it had just opened. That block of St. Marks rivals 42nd between 7th and 8th for most heinous block in NYC -- just replace the gawking tourists with dissafected over-pierced teens. St. Marks has much better food, though.

I posted this on Monday in the regular Grand Sichuan thread, but here it is again. Grand Sichuan on St. Marks Place is now open in that minimall type thing that also houses Chipotle. It's the most tricked-out of all the Grand Sichuans with a major Mao theme going in this one, right down to the waitress' army green uniforms. They were friendly and helpful in reccomending dishes. At the moment, there is no fresh-killed chicken menu and most of the dishes inspired by the Chinese TV show are there but have been incorperated into the regular menu and given less flowery names. ("Green Parrot with Red Mouth" is now "Spinach with Ginger Sauce" on the Cold Plates section.) There is also a large Hunan section in addition to the other more familar GS items. Everything we had was good, though the braised beef with chili sauce was nowhere near as incindiary as what they serve at 9th and 50th. It is certainly a welcome addition to the East Village. The website has menus for all four restaurants,plus an online version of that large book that explains the menu in detail. It's a fun site.

Grand Sichuan on St. Marks Place is now open in that minimall type thing that also houses Chipotle. We went yesterday. It's the most tricked-out of all the Grand Sichuans with a major Mao theme going in this one, right down to the waitress' army green uniforms. They were freindly and helpful in reccomending dishes. At the moment, there is no fresh-killed chicken menu and most of the dishes inspired by the Chinese TV show are there but have been incorperated into the regular menu and given less flowery names. ("Green Parrot with Red Mouth" is now "Spinach with Ginger Sauce" on the Cold Plates section.) There is also a large Hunan section in addition to the other more familar GS items. Everything we had was good, though the braised beef with chili sauce was nowhere near as incindiary as what they serve at 9th and 50th. It is certainly a welcome addition to the East Village. The website has menus for all three restaurants, including an online version of that large book that explains the menu in detail.

There were rumors going around that Crif Dogs was closing or being sold -- anyone know anything? I'd miss the Chihuahua for sure. And personally, I've never understood the hoopla about BB Sandwich. With that ketchup and caramalized onions they've always sorta tasted -- to me -- like White Castle. Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Soup Dumplings aka juicy buns. I have never really given M. Shanghai much of a chance. It's more known for the hipster lounge downstairs (and the hip hop karaoke night they have) than for the food. As it and Snacky on Grand St. are the only decent Chinese options in the WB, maybe it's time to revisit.

I was there Saturday as well. They'd gotten some criticism on CH last week for toning down the spicing but I think they got the message loud and clear that people were there for Mina, not for typical 6th street fare. Everything we had was at least good, some was very good. Pani Puri, dal fry, chicken dopeajee and Halim (a lamb dish). The chicken dopeajee and Halim dish were the best things. The staff was very eager to please. LJC is right about it being empty... there were maybe four tables when we ate there at 8pm on Saturday. It's pricier than the average 6th street place and more than double what similar dishes cost at Mina but the quality remains high. I'm looking forward to going back.

so do i. you have a good recipe?

Where is it?

You got wine as well, though. Maybe that's why.

How much did the sake pairings end up costing? The time I had it done it was about $35 pp. I'm going on Wednesday and just want to get some sort of estimate to see if mine was the average.

With the $85 omakase, you're going to get everything great they have that night; every special fish, all of it. Spending more will just be if you want another piece of o-toro or uni or whatever.

You're probably looking at very old posts. When they first opened, there were different levels of omakase: $50 for sushi or sashimi only; $75 for appetizers plus sushi OR sashimi; or $100 for appetizers plus sashimi AND sushi. This was back when the appetizers changed on almost a nightly basis. Sometime near around when Kazuo Yoshida left, they changed it to the $85 and made the appetizers a little more standard (though no less good). You can still get the $50 version that is only sushi or sashimi, I think.

My one 9pm experience was not rushed. I was actually seated at nine, however, which Grace admitted usually doesn't happen. They won't rush you. Just be aware that Jack Lamb is a showman and his schtick is part of the charm. Some find it pretentious, but I think it's hilarous. Do yourself a favor and let him pair sakes with your omakase meal. It's worth the added expense (which the time I had it done was about $40). I'm going next week and can't wait.

I don't think it's a waste if it's some hyper-buzz restaurant like Per Se or Masa or Spice Market. People want to know... now! That said, I don't think Ixta is quite on that level.

I think bad service at JB stems from the wait between courses... which only really happens at the tables where your sushi comes all at once on a platter. At the bar you get served piece by piece so you only wait a minute or two which is fine. As for genuinely bad service, I just can't imagine it there. It is one of the most gracious places I've ever been. They treat you like a king. But I only sit at the sushi bar, which is my advice for anyone wanting to go there. I dont' think I'd go if I had to sit at a table. EDIT to add: I reccomend getting early reservations. If you get omakase, you're likely to be there for three hours. The 9pm seatings are more likely to be closer to 9:30 at best. (I'm sure that would be annoying. )

I was there yesterday for lunch. Mostly empty at 1:15. It was a disaster of such epic proportions I wouldn't have been surprised to find it was an elaborate prank. It was the bartender's (who was also the only waitstaff) first day. She couldn't have gotten more things wrong if she had poured beer on the register. Sitting at the bar you unfortunately hear about it all. One lady got overcharged $50 on her credit card; the guy next to me at the bar ordered his burger the same time as mine. It took about 20 minutes for my burger to show up, and i finished mine before he got his. The busboy brings him a bowl of icecream on the house... but he still hadn't gotten his burger (she didn't enter it in the system right or something). I paid my check and he was still waiting; another annoyed guy basically threw a wad of money at her and left in a huff because he waited so long for the check. She had no idea how to use the computer, just stared the screen. I felt bad for her for a while but it just got rediculous. It wasn't all her fault. The place wasn't busy at all and it shouldn't have taken so long to do a medium rare burger, right? But it was mostly her fault. I didn't even really want the burger but it was the only thing on the menu under $17. It was okay but it's topped with roquefort cheese which kind of overpowered it. The shoestring fries were good but not easy to eat (a big tangle of potato steel wool). They played good music, though. I'm sure this isn't indicative of The Spotted Pig and would love to try some of the other items on the menu (the gnudi and the stuff above sounds very good) but I had to share one of the oddest restaurant experiences I've ever had.

It's not fancy dress there -- I think they tell you "no shorts" when you reserve, that's about it -- but I just thought tracksuits seemed taking it a little too far. I don't guess you should turn them away, but I wish people cared a little more sometimes. I have never had a job with a dress code and don't frequent places where a jacket is required, but if I'm going somewhere nice I at least tuck in my shirt. But if you're going to tour the grounds, you don't want to be wearing good shoes. It is a bit of a dichotomy for sure.

My one trip there at the beginning of june was excellent, everything we had was at least good, many things were great (like this chicken soup with sweetbreads that was a total home run). Service was friendly and attentive but certainly not formal -- sorta like Babbo. (no rock music, though.) They can't be aiming for four stars -- not while they let old guys in tracksuits eat there, at least (as was the case on my visit... to think I was worried *I* would be underdressed!). It's obvious they care about and believe in thier concept and they should be happy with this review.

I was there on Saturday night. My friend and I were contemplating Pure Food & Wine (right next door) but there wasn't a menu outside and the smells of Caso Mono's meats was irresistible. We sat at the kitchen bar and also had the softshell crab and the artichokes. Both were great. We also had the pumpkin goat chees croquettas, and wild boar with a supplement of shaved summer truffles (which wasn't worth it, even at a mere $10 extra, not much aroma). Our server was great, as was the wine person. I'd definitely go back.

I would just like to add that Steven Shaw, you've become such a better photographer than you used to be. Those are great shots, very vivid colors. I want to try Starwich. Maybe tomorrow, if I can lure myself away from a Shackburger...

And Bruni visits for a Diner's Journal report.

I like their drink that's half lemonade, half iced tea... it's called the Arnold Palmer I think (definitely named after a golfer).

That's right, though you wouldn't recognize it. In fact, the first time I went I walked past it twice before spotting the place. They've designed the exterior to look just like JB, but light grey instead of black. I think the food is very good, and the fish is pristine but JBM doesn't have the selection the original has -- and that's the point. They don't even list the a la carte sushi options on the menu, though you can certainly order whatever you want. They even do takeout (but not delivery). The sushi chefs are nice but it's not interactive experience you get at the original JB -- even at the bar you get your sushi as a platter, which I was a bit disappointed by. People rave about the seared tuna niscoise salad, but I thought it was nothing special. I've liked the other kitchen dishes, though. (I would like to add that their chef is really cute). It's never been super-crowded, which is odd seeing how popular the original is. I don't spend sleepless nights thinking about their food the way I do at Jewel Bako proper (I really need to go back... soon) but if I'm in the East Village and craving sushi and have made no plans JBM is the first place I now think of. -bill

Was that an ironic remark, considering that his name is on the byline? Yes, it's more description than review, but the review is ultimately there. [Nitpick mode] I noticed that Toroniku Ramen were misspelled, though (probably a typo).[/nitpick mode] Not ironic, just didn't pay attention. Some other person had been doing the reviews for a while and I didn't even look at the name. I would not make a good fact-checker.