Simon_S

And he makes the now common mistake of assuming that two restaurants, each with one star, are considered by Michelin to be at the same level.

I read in the paper this morning that he includes a cystitis treatment in the recipe for his perfect burger.

I just checked viamichelin.com (search for Roses and tick the "Michelin Restaurants" box) and it seems to still have its star. Si

Strangely enough, something I would never DREAM of doing in a 3-star. I think asking for uneaten food to be wrapped is crass. I don't expect anyone else to share this view, and I'm not suggesting it's a general rule, but I'd never do it.

They must think I'm a pig. I generally request about 5 cheeses. Of course, I *am* a pig. In general, I wouldn't worry too much. Relax, be polite, don't try to show-off in any way and you'll be fine.

Diagonally cut sandwiches taste better, it's as simple as that, but I've only just realised that I'm inclined to save such a cut for special occasions/special sandwiches. My normal sandwich is cut straight across. I'm a strange man in many ways.

Although seeing as how he counts "lots of travellers" amongst his friends already, maybe the itinerant fanbase is already saturated. I'm glad I don't have to look at or listen to him again, but I'm cold-hearted like that. "I'm a musician, I can't cut my fingers". Uh-huh. I still think Marco rocks, BTW.

It was April eating after March booking. It *may* have helped that I laid on the Brogue as thickly as possible when I called. It's amazing how often that works!

We managed to get 8:30 tables in Daniel and EMP, on Friday and Saturday nights respectively, with relative ease back in April. Granted, I was on the phone a month in advance at the moment they became available (or whatever the lead-in time was) but it wasn't too difficult.

The format is probably enough to carry the show now, as long as the chef is horrible enough to the "contestants". I saw 15 minutes while on a treadmill in the gym (the irony was not lost on me) but I liked what I saw.

Is this divide mainly an American thing, I wonder. Most people I know who are interested in wine enjoy bottles at all price ranges. Very few of them would turn their nose up at a high-end Bordeaux or Burgundy, and would splash out on the occasional (or more frequent) bottle as budget allows, generally to be consumed on more special occasions. But similarly, for the old Tuesday evening tipple, most will try to find good, interesting, well-made wines at a more sensible price. The question to me is like restaurants. Most "foodies" don't eat at Michelin 3 stars every time they go out, but try to find good food across all price ranges and styles. Sometimes that will include 3 star restaurants, sometimes it won't.

Thanks for all your comments, I've printed them out for reference. Backyardchef: thank you so much -- we'll look you up next time!! Si

FG, I agree totally, and I'm just not really a "break the rules" kind of guy. Besides, the penalty certainly wouldn't compensate the restaurant if the $100 I heard is correct. In any case, I wouldn't be happy about it, and I'd be extremely embarrassed at the meet-n-greet stage of the proceedings. Thank you for answering the question. I was and still am genuinely interested in the opinion of others. To all those who suggested calling on the day in question, we may indeed do that. Thank you! Si ETA: Given my stance on the Prime Time Tables issue, I'd feel especially bad doing it. This, after all, is far worse.

That crossed my mind, but then I remembered that I'm extremely anti-social and I hate everyone. Seriously, the main reason I didn't take it is that 11:30 is just too early for this European to contemplate lunch. I know that's the way it is if you want to go, but I'm just not quite ready for it. I'd sooner go at 5:30 on some future visit.

I'm bumping this thread since we're going to be back in NY for a couple of days next week, and this time we don't want to make any reservations in advance. So, for walk-ins without too long a wait expected (at weekends) where would you recommend? Thusfar I'm mulling over Bouley upstairs, Bar Room at the Modern, Gramercy Tavern, Lupa, Spotted Pig. There will, of course, be the obligatory Momofuku Ssam return visit. We're there for 2 nights and 3 days, staying in Soho (if it matters) and want to stay away from restaurants we visited before (Momofuku aside). Is there anything new that I should know about since our last visit? Si

Say you're going to be in NY for a couple of days (arranged last minute), and say you really want to eat at Per Se, and say that you can't get a reservation for 2 on Opentable, but say there's a reservation for 3 available... For various reasons we're not going for it, but for a while I was seriously considering booking the 3-top and paying whatever penalty is imposed. In one way I feel kinda dirty, but on the other hand I can't help but think that all's fair in love, war and Keller reservations. What do you think?

Well, just as long as we know! We'll have the house to ourselves, and may indeed do quite a bit of cooking. We'll also have a car (rented) so we can move around a bit. Is there anything worthwhile within driving distance? We're going to take 2 nights at the end in NYC itself, although this time we may not bother booking anything in advance (short of a Per Se reservation -- if anyone has one they're not using, feel free to donate!!) Last time, we craved a bit more freedom, and I think I'm too late to get any interesting tables anyway. I may reopen the other thread to see if there are any new and hot restaurants I should know about, though. Thanks for the advice!

Hi folks, I've just arranged a last minute trip to a friend's house in East Hampton, going this Saturday. This will be our first time there, so we've no idea what to expect. I have heard it said in the past that the Hamptons can be something of a culinary wasteland, but maybe somebody here knows different! Any recommendations? Si

Chefg, although our meeting in your kitchen was fleeting to say the least, rest assured that you will be in our thoughts. Myself and Hazel wish you all the best for a full and speedy recovery. Simon

Some of the restaurants in Chinatown stay open till 3 or so. I remember eating very late at Mr. Kong's, for example.

Well, I'm not from the med, but in my experience European doctors tell patients with high blood pressure or cholesterol to limit their intake of eggs and cheese too. Recently there's been an advertising push over here that "an egg a day is okay", but apart from that, I'd imagine advice is similar enough on both sides of the pond.

"Have you decided what you want to order?" I'm afraid not, because we sat down about three microseconds ago and have perused our menu for only half that time. "Now have you decided?" We have indeed. I think you'll find that the extra 15 minutes you gave us without so much as looking in our direction was plenty of time to reach a decision. Of course, the fact that all of us had our menus closed in front of us for 14 of those minutes might have tipped you off, had you looked. "Anything else?" Well yes, I've been trying to catch your eye for the last half hour to get the bill. I'd really quite like to reward the establishment for the fine meal I was provided.

I see Alexis' website is up and running, here, although the menu on the site seems to be the previous incarnation. By the sound of Augustine's post, the Sunday lunch menu has changed as well. I'm free tonight!

Well by the look of the reports on this page, we're never out of the place!! The new summer menu seemed (to me at least) quite successful, with a nice mix of lighter options, and the occasional rib-sticker still there for the hard-core carnivores. Incidentally, my earlier comment about the duck has been well and truly addressed. The duck I was served on a our last visit was quite definitely pink, and the confit that accompanied it was totally delicious. It's still hard to get in, too, so I assume I'm not the only one who thinks that standards are staying high at Alexis. Si

Loving this blog. Your avatar has always reminded me of the pet from either Battlestar Galactica or Buck Rogers. Can't remember which. I know you will soon reveal the proper use of "the device", but for now I will continue in the fantasy that it is used to clamp monkeys to the side of the table while you feast on the brains, Indiana Jones style. What's that? The men in white coats have arrived...? Si