ulterior epicure

For the unfamiliar, elaboration, please? Without knowing more, I would have to say as a third party observer, the name is annoying.

Thanks for rubbing our depraved Midwest schnozes in your West Coast delights.

U.E, I had a similar thought just before putting the Yuzu in my mouth, but it was not very tart and the predominant focus was on the chewy texture of this dish. Chewy? By your initial title, I assumed it was more like a block sorbet... interesting. Was it cold or room temperature? Agreed. Unfortunately, both were lacking a bit in the flavor/texture deptartment. ← I will agree on the skate, as I have had that before. Actually, I personally was shocked by the softness of the skate - I've never had skate just melt in my mouth like that. Flavorwise, I do wish there was more umph to the skate dish I had. As for the King Crab, I can't comment because I've never had that. However, I will say it looks very "clean"-tasting. What is the transluscent gelatin underneath the thin cut of crab?

I actually concur... the TJ's out on the West Coast (when I lived in L.A.) were far suprerior than any that I've encountered in the Midwest... the one that I used to visit in Chicago was meh, and the two in Michigan that I frequented as a graduate student were deplorable. Still, a deplorable TJ's is much preferable to... well, most grocery stores near me. Turning blue with baited breath... u.e.

This dish sounds amazing to me. I'm a sucker for beer-braised/cooked meat. I also tend to like the spice that mustard adds. My first thought is "Yikes! Frozen yuzu on metal!" That sounds like a high-tang experience. But, I'm confident Achatz used very non-metallic-tasting metal... These flavors sound wonderful to me.Other thoughts: both the King Crab and the Skate are gorgeous in presentation.

It's looking like it may come down to a matter of last-minute reservations on a weekend night. Between EMP and The Modern, which will be an easier bet? Or, will both be impossible on a last-minute (within a couple of days) basis? Party of 2.

Fat Guy, Thanks for that comprehensive and thoughtful (and very helpful) post. I gather from you posting, although I don't think you stated exactly which menu format you ordered, that the meal reflected in this post was the regular three-course "prix fixe?" You mention nine plus dishes sampled, but I'm assuming you included others' at the table. Thanks. u.e.

As have I... but, I've never stepped foot in the dining room area. u.e.

.. and pizza delivery boxes the size of a football field!!

I would add bad service and overpriced to the list... u.e.

A friend just emailed me and said they had oysters on the half with kimchee consomme. Now that's creative. I imagine it was probably a consomme gelee on top of the oyster? Not sure... my friend's not really really the type to pay attention to those things. But, he did say that the oyster was served on ice, so I can only imagine the consomme was either cold and/or in gelatin form.

Has anyone on eGullet visited Felidia's recently?

Gulp

I have been interested in visiting Fleur de Sel for quite some time. Would appreciate hearing about the experiences of recent visits.

For someone who currently resides in the middle of a corn field (and I appreciate that it is my choice - to some extent), I can only say that I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat to have to default to Craftsteak when disappointed by EMP on one of the busiest nights of the year (and knowing that it was so, and not having called to check whether or not "normal" service was being offered). All was clearly not lost.

I didn't know what other forum to post this under, but, there has been a recall on all Peter Pan peanut butter stamped with serial numbers starting with "2111." Here's the FDA release.

I'm sorry if there's another Honmura An thread, but a quick engine search produced none. So, I decided to start one - to talk about the restaurant's closing. Perhaps it's no big news to the NYC folk, but according to a number of online sources, City Pages being one, the fifteen year-old restaurant Japanese soba and noodle restaurant will have it's last service this Saturday evening, February 17.

I you Sneakeater! I'm hoping this happened after you sent your date off in a cab... or something...

re: Pasta Tasting. I'm assuming that the portions are manageable. I can only imagine after six courses of pasta and two desserts, one might have problems walking out of the place...

which policy? I'm not stunned by the tasting menu policy change. It's the refusal to serve me at all that can't be remedied. ← I went back and re-read your initial posting. This is my mistake. I thought the policy was no food at the bar ever. I see now that they refused food service (tasting aside) at the bar because of the "holiday." u.e.

no. then I just look like I want a coupon or meal. it's not like it can be remedied. ← Not in the past tense, you're right. But, if you are such a believer in Humm's food, then certainly, it may flag the issue for reconsideration by the Meyer party. Would you return if the restaurant reverted to its former policy? u.e.

While I'm surprised when any restaurant, especially high-end restaurants, offers the tasting at the bar, I'm curious why you think so? ← Say you have a bar that you want to function as an actual bar. One where people come in, have some drinks, hang out, leave. Lots of energy and bustle. Maybe you wouldn't want the bar to be full of dinners having extended nine-course meals. Maybe you'd want to encourage more turnover than that. Maybe you'd think that people sitting there eating long meals sinks the energy level. Look: I'M usually the guy sitting there eating the long meal. I'm not happy if they stop letting me do it. I'm just saying I can see what they're thinking. ← No disagreements here. Those are the same reasons I am surprised that high-end restaurants allow it to happen in the first place. I just thought you might have other reasons/theories that weren't obvious to me. I suppose this is why places like L'Atelier JR offer "the counter" - where the full menu and tastings are available in single diner-friendly format. Sorry, again, to hear about the disappointment. u.e.

While I'm surprised when any restaurant, especially high-end restaurants, offers the tasting at the bar, I'm curious why you think so?@ Nathan: While I'm sure your disappointment far exceeds mine, I'm very sorry to hear about your mishap... and am especially disappointed that I will not get to hear about your would-be experience with the tasting menu at EMP. And, Happy Birthday.

To borrow another eGulleter's term: Yes, I imagine it might be a very "phoned-in" experience... or televised, a la Keller?

Certainly, this should be very true.