babern38

I haven't seen any posts about SHO Shaun Hergatt's place in the financial district, but after a recent meal there I must say that needs to be changed. I actually found out about this place while perusing opentable.com and was intrigued by the amazing photos on its website. After several failed attempts to go a friend and I finally made it last Tuesday and had a fantastic meal. We settled on the 3 course $79 option which is a bargain in that it included an initial plate of three small bites, amuse, appetizer, main, dessert, then mignardises. the initial offering consisted of a plate of two bite size pieces and a small shot glass. first was a duck pate on a cracker. second was a very tangy cube of goat cheese sandwiched between two tomato flavored crisps. The shot glass contained a very potent and somewhat salty lobster bisque (though it was almost more of a creamy pate consistency) with a thin layer of gelee(forgot the flavor) and caviar on top. And of course the later was served with miniature mother of pearl spoons. the amuse was a quarter inch thick slice of scallop sashimi served on a cucumber with a slightly tangy dressing that I have since forgotten as I didn't take notes, though it was quite pleasant. It was served in a giant clam shell. for appetizers I had Red Chili and Coconut Milk Glazed Quail Shiitake Duxelle, Wilted Tetragonia that was beautifully presented consisting of the legs/thigh, the breast which was stuffed with foie, a quail egg, and a duxelle of mushrooms on the side. My date had ordered the hiramasa (scallop sashimi) which was quite nice, though it was unfortunate the amuse had also been scallop though flavored differently. Our mains consisted of a fabulously cooked muscovy duck breast with a side of seared foie atop a hibiscus gelee and a beautiful presentation of a thai pepper dusted beef tenderloin. I'm not even sure how to describe this other than it was a perfect dark colored cylinder of extremely tender beef with a large disc of (potato?) atop with I what I believe to be a slice of beef cheek on top. Desserts were equally appealing in flavor and presentation. We had a dessert called a citrus palette and a java chocolate dish of some sort. After this we were served with a large bowl of chocolate truffles, passion fruit gelees, macaroons, and fig financiers. While I'm not sure there are many reasons to venture down to the financial district at night time unless you live there, SHO is definitely a reason to take the trip.

hi, just wondering if anyone has been here recently or heard anything. I came across it a little while ago and am thinking about a visit in the near future. I also think the champagne lounge looks like a great place to relax with some friends. Any thoughts?

Hi, I was hoping someone could help me as I am in desperate need of a drink. I recently lost my phone and as such, also the new number to milk and honey. I managed to find the number that worked around march/april and I recall last time I texted it i received a reply stating they had changed their number and they sent me the new number. However, when I tried texting the old number again I received no such reply. Could someone please help me by pm'ing me the new number. I would be forever in debt. As such I had another question. last time I was there in june they made me this great drink served in a giant rocks glass with the pebbled ice that was a gin based drink and served with a giant blackberry atop the ice. Does anyone have any idea what this might have been called? Thanks.

Hi, With as much as I love going out to eat I've decided I need to get a lot more serious about learning to cook beyond some basic things. I've tried searching the web without many promising results and figure I'd turn to my friends at egullet to see if anyone knew of anyone who offers either private or small group cooking lessons. My schedule is quite variable so its hard for me to commit to steady classes. perhaps there are some trained chefs who are interested in some extra money on their days off? Any help is appreciated. thanks.

I have recently learned that the kictchen counter is now only offered and available when a party of six makes a reservation. I have a group of four interested in going on May 21st, but we are having some difficulty acquiring the required two extra people. We are still waiting to hear back from some prospects, but I figured I would put out a bulletin to see if anyone here might be interested in joining if possible. just pm me with questions. Thanks

i was hoping someone could refresh me on the walk in bar policy for babbo. If I wanted to go for a few small plates at the bar is this still possible? what is the best time and day to attempt such a venture.

I got a reservation the other day for my first visit to minibar on may 19th at 830. it was the last available seat. This will be my first visit to DC. So I plan on driving down early from NJ to go to smithsonian during the day, then minibar at night. Can't wait.

It was tandoori spiced. I was misspoken when I said THai.

the butternut sorbet was the first amuse. I'm not sure I could classify it as completely savory or sweet. It wasn't as rich, creamy and savory as a butternut squash soup, but it wasnt too sweet either. It was a light, interesting, clean flavor that perked up my palate for the meal to come. The menu simply says tandoori spiced black cod. I'm sorry I can't be more specific, but I thought it was one of the most well composed and harmonious dishes of the night however.

Had a fantastic meal at Gilt last Saturday. This was our first visit I must start off by saying that this is probably my favorite room of any high end restaurant I've visited. It drips with luxury and antiquity. We opted for the expanded 7+ course menu Two amuses included a butternut squash sorbet on top of toasted sesame crumbs followed by a delicious short rib filled dumpling in broth Next was the tuna tartare on top of a black olive paste with breaded quail egg. sweetbread polenta thai spiced cod over black beluga lentils and salsify - coconut foam kobe beef with a side of roasted beef shoulder in a shot glass. - This was the best kobe beef I've ever had. Perfectly seared, tender, juicy. This was the first time I actually understood why its so prized. grapefruit? intermezzo - don't fully recall two dessert which were both excellent though I can't create an acccurae description. The second one was a unique version of a flan which I believe was creme brulee flavored. followed of course with an amazing array of mignardises. Service was spot on, the room was opulent, and the food was delicious. I'm not sure there was any dish that was mindblowing (maybe the kobe), but all were excellent and interestingly tweaked versions of some more classic dishes. Gilt doesn't get much press on egullet that I've noticed, but I think it should. I know since liebrandt left for Corton he took some of egullet with him, but Gilt deserves to be recognized as a great addition to New York selection of fine dining.

Had my first meal at DB townhouse on 2/13 and was a bit disappointed. While I love the decor, we were put off my the 30 minute wait for our 9:30 reservation and the fact that a few other couples were seated before us, though they arrived after. The main dining room, while beautiful, is was extrememly cramped and it was annoying having servers and guests bumping into my chair every few minutes. The food was decent, but nothing remarkable or any standouts other than the beef stroganoff which just hit the spot on that particular night. I had high hopes of finding a new place to frequent, but unfortunately was left wanting.

Had an amazing first meal here on Valentine's Day. We were seated downstairs, which I did not find the decor to be anywhere near the level of the food. I didn't go upstairs to see if its any nicer. It has been awhile since I've had so many surprises and unique flavors at a restaurant. I look forward to a return visit in the future.

Thanks for pointing out the fact that I have yet to realize its 2009 I actually mean I found our meal at scarpetta to be one of my top 5 meals in NYC in the last 7-8 months since moving here....and I think I've been making some good progress eating around the city's top spots i.e. KO, per se, etc.

Just finished having dinner here. Third visit, but first dinner. I love this place. I have always had excellent and consistent service and delicious food. A great value for such great quality. Especially tonight as the $45 prix fixe included an amzing pork chocroute platter that was HUGE!! and had a wonderful variety of various pork products. If you haven't been here, its time to go.

we also ate at scarpetta for the first time last sunday 1/18 and had an amazing meal and excellent service. The wild mushroom polenta and scallop tartare were spot on and delicious. I was amazed at the huge portion size as well especially given the great price of ~$15 I agree the duck&foie ravs didn't have that much foie flavor but I think this is good considering the amount of raviolis we were given. Don't get me wrong, I love foie, but I think that much would be far too rich and become unenjoyable halfway through the dish. There must have been 25 ravioli on the plate. The cavatelli with the rabbit was also spot on. the walnut torte with chestnut mousse and blackberry sorbet was also delicious. I was extrememly impressed with all aspects of this restaurant and rank it among one of my 5 favorite meals in the city......at least this year. Definitely look forward to a return visit.

Had an amazing dinner at Scarpetta last night. Probably more west than you are looking for but I was amazed at the food, service, and especially the price. I look forward to returning soon.

Went for the first time, Finally, last thursday. Great experience. Love the entrance and the overall vibe. Service was courteous and quick when I was there. The green deacon was good but the black flip was worth the trip. My friend also enjoyed his two drinks called Remember Maine and something else I don't recall The wylie dogs were good, but a bit sweeter than I was hoping. I think it was the tomato molasses. Anyway, can't wait to return.

Ate dinner here for the first time with my parents this evening before seeing Don Giovanni at the Met. Overall we had a very nice meal. It definitely wasn't a jaw dropping experience, probably not even on top ten meals list, but very well done and an enjoyable part of the evening. There were three amuses, tempura chantarelle lollipops, a cauliflower panna cotta with lemon gelee, and a celery puree with truffle foam. I had the foie gras shabu shabu as previously discussed here. It was an interesting dish that I find difficult to describe. As mentioned above its not about the foie, but I didn't find it was necessarily about the broth either. It tasted good, but i felt there needed to be a stronger, more dominant overal flavor to the dish. I think someone up-post mentioned the broth was quite sour, but I thought it more mellow and could have benefitted from the stronger, sour flavor. Next I had the lobster claw with the vanilla, brown butter sauce, barberries, endive, and mushrooms. Delicious Followed by my favorite dish of the evening. Roasted John dory with salsify and mushroom capuccino. This hit every flavor and texture component perfectly. Next was a roasted wild partrdige dish consisting of two thighs and a sausage made from the breast/loin of the partridge, at least thats how it was described. This was served on a bed of spaetzle with a liquid foie gras sauce as well as the natural jus reduction. On to dessert which is probably one of my favorite desserts I've ever had. The passion fruit cannoli with coconut tapioca and exotic fruit soup. Amazing! The cannoli shell was a thin dried slice of pineapple with the most amazing passion fruit filling. I'm not exactly sure how to describe the filling as it was not heavy enough to be a sorbet/gelato and too thick to be a foam. All I know is that is was so heavily concentrated and tart. I can't say enough about this dish. I could drink a whole cup of the fruit soup. Service was average. When we first began the restaurant was empty and our waiter was often absent when courses were brought out and didn't offer much explanation on the dishes until asked. But all in all service was attentive and courteous, but simply average for this class of restauarant. An enjoyable experience that I wouldn't mind repeating before another night at the opera, but probably not a place to return to if I didn't have other plans to be in that area.

Had dinner here for the first time tonight. I had gone back and forth on whether to take my parents here or not, but we were all quite satisfied with the experience. The space is much cozier and warmer than the pictures I had seen. I had been looking forward to the tasting menu they show on their website, but when we arrived it was not mentioned or printed on the menu. I asked and was told they were not offering it tonight I'll comment on the food I tasted" bone marrow, caviar appetizer - how can you say no to this. An interesting combo, but for anyone who loves salt and fat as much as me how can you not love it parsnip soup with sweetbreads and honeycrisp apples - great mix of flavors veal loin four ways with popped craberries- only tasted a few parts of my mon's dish but all were excellent duck breast with buttered radishes and foie gras - some of the best duck I've had in recent memory The apple beignet was very good but not what I had expected ina beignet - it was a poached apple wrapped in beignet dough with ice cream on top - very tasty All in all this restaurant is not close to the best in the city, but it did many things very well and is worth a try if you are in the area or looking for a new place to have a nice intimate meal.

any places serving Haggis? (sp?) always wanted to try it

I recently moved to NJ, though I spend most of my time in NYC and I have been trying to find a place with good irish and scottish food. I've really been craving scotch eggs, but also want the staples of great stews, shepard's pie, and even haggis. Can someone please help me out. Thanks

thank you for the clarification. I didn't realize it had been a gradual increase.

I was dining at Ko the other day and one of the other diner's there works at Masa and it was mentioned that they just increased the menu price from ~$300 to ~$475!! or something close to that. Thats incredible! I've never been to Masa and while I've read plenty of the amazing reviews and I'm sure there is something to be said for the exclusivity and priviledge of dining there, I can't possibly imagine how it should cost that much and not even include alcohol. I realize the fish is flown in fresh daily, etc, etc. but come on. This has to be the most expensive menu on the planet, at least that I can think of. Anyone have any restaurants that are more expensive and don't include ounces of osetra to jack up the price?

Going for lunch tomorrow. It will be my first time there and I'm very excited. I'll be sure to give a report when I return

I recently moved to NYC and have been working my way around the various cocktail revival bars (pegu, PDT) and I heard about Milk & Honey, but have not been able to find anyone who has been and knows how to get in. I did hear something about them changing their phone number recently anyway. I was hoping someone on this board may be able to provide me with their new contact info via private message. It would be greatly appreciated.