LPShanet

Between those two, I'd definitely pick Tabla. Although I haven't been back in a couple of years, the food was more creative and carefully prepared, and the environment swankier and more elegant. While Devi was quite good, I couldn't help feeling like it wasn't that different from a very good standard Indian joint. Tabla (the upstairs dining room) is modern, and provides a gastronomic experience influenced by Indian ingredients and dishes, while Devi is closer to a regular high-end Indian place.

Yes, it seems we've strayed a bit from the task. Sugiyama is, indeed, wonderful. As is an evening at Yasuda. (And the best of Nobu is certainly something every diner should do, preferably more than once.) However, since this is an "occasion", as stated in the OP, those aren't really the kind of environment I'm going for. Shame about Venue, and let's hope that Jasper (and Paul Liebrandt) lets us know where he's headed next. I'll let everyone know what was chosen and how it was.

Anyone out there know more about the place in Hoboken? Also, has anyone done a tasting at Blue Hill lately?

Has anyone done the tasting thing at Alain Ducasse? I'd love to hear from this list, since opinions of non-foodies aren't likely to be that useful. I've heard mixed things, from VERY positive to fairly unimpressed. (As with sushi, I'd say this judgement is largely related to the reviewer's food enthusiasm and ability to appreciate this level of cooking, and is largely wasted on those who don't.) Also, has anyone been to Gilt since Liebrandt's departure? Is it still similar? (Any ideas what his next venture will be?)

I had purposely left things a little bit general, since I'm pretty sure if I'd narrowed my posting to just "Modernist Creative", the list would have included WD-50 and....well, WD-50. It's amazing to me that while NY is one of the finest culinary cities on the globe, and has so many great restaurants, there's almost nothing in that category here. As a native New Yorker, I am a bit peeved that a self-proclaimed "second city" like Chicago actually has a more vital culinary avante-garde (Alinea, Moto and several others) than we do. Gilt was actually very interesting while Liebrandt was there, but I'm pretty sure they're going to "tone it down" a bit now. So I'd say my preference would be for "Modernist Creative", but I'm very open to really good executions of more classic cooking. In terms of the dishes themselves, I've often found the inner dining room tasting menus at Jean Georges to fit this bill, although I haven't been back in over a year.

Am planning a dinner for a special occasion and wanted to go somewhere for a multi-course tasting menu of very creative and delicious fare. I have been to most of the expected places for such stuff in NY, and just wanted to compare opinions (and possibly spark debate?) on what everyone thinks are the best and most interesting. I am especially interested in food that isn't over the top heavy, and would like to focus on places that emphasize cutting edge creativity and perfect fresh ingredients. The obvious starting places for me in recent years have been: Per Se WD-50 Gilt (when Paul Liebrandt was still there) Jean Georges (inner dining room only) Obviously, there are many others I have tried (Daniel, Atelier, etc.) and ones I haven't (Alain Ducasse, Joel Robuchon), but thought I'd open with a few winners, and see if anyone has suggestions that are similar.

While we're on the subject, when is the new New York Guide (2007) due out? Well, the Michelin system in general is fairly conservative (in more ways than one). Stars are neither given nor taken away lightly. And frankly, that's the way it ought to be.I agree that there are unlikely to be changes at the three-star level. Changes at the two-star level would not surprise me, especially given the odd anomaly that the number of two and three-star restaurants was identical last year (four). There will almost certainly be several new one-star restaurants, and I wouldn't be surprised if a restaurant or two had a star taken away (not counting the obvious cases of restuarants that closed). ←

when are you going? ← I'm leaving Saturday (day after tomorrow), and will be there through the middle of next week.

What are people's recommendations for CAN'T MISS restaurants in Venice? The few places that one must go if there are only a few days available. Level doesn't matter so much as special food, experiences, etc. Need a way to narrow down from the Venice restaurants chain, and make some good decisions. Assume that the people involved have adventurous enough tastes that nothing is off limits.

Many thanks to all who have provided input. I've already been to Bar Pinotxo at Boqueria, Cal Pep and Cinq Sentits and I've only been here one day! I'll provide further input on all for the group, but it's off to El Bulli today (after breakfast/lunch at Bar Quim)! Cinq Centits was exactly as described (creative, reasonably priced and special), and the staff could not have been more friendly or knowlegeable. Unfortunately, Lasarte was booked up for the nights I'll be in town, but I do plan on getting to Hisop on Thursday. With full stomach, but still going.... L

It would be helpful to know your food preferences. Hisop continues to offer an excellent superbly creative and reasonably priced menu. We have forthcoming revues of Lasarte and Caelis. We think Hisop and Cinqsentis deserve your immediate consideration for a memorable, reasonably priced BCN dining experience. I would recommend Lasarte and Caelis as superior to the Roca brothers Moo dining adventure. That is our view. We still await Santamaria's latest BCN dining experience. It promises great views of the city. Hopefully the view will match the food. Judith Gebhart ← Thanks for the help...much appreciated. I only wish I had more time in BCN this trip. I'm looking for as memorable an experience as possible, and have a pretty adventurous palate. Alkimia was my favorite meal in Barcelona the last time, and have also really loved Arzak and Mugaritz in the Basque region. I can appreciate more traditional fare, too, and food of any ethnicity, but am really looking to have meals that I wouldn't be able to anywhere else. Because it's a quick trip, price isn't really an obstacle...I'm just looking for the best and most interesting places. Also, since I'm leaving on Monday, I don't have the luxury of waiting for upcoming reviews or soon to open venues. Thanks again for input!

Even though there are already a number of posts that relate to this topic, I'm hoping to get current opinions on the 3 or 4 most memorable dining experiences in Barcelona for an upcoming (much too short) trip there. I only have two days (so a max of two dinners and two lunches) to try these places. This will be wrapped around a trip to El Bulli, so I want places that won't be major disappointments before and after. Some that are on the considered list include: Hisop, Cinq Centits, Comerc 24, Santa Maria, Passadis Del Pep, Cal Pep, Colibri and Sauc. I'm also open to others that I may not be aware of. For the record, I've already been to Abac, Alkimia and Espai Sucre and enjoyed all of them, but probably Alkimia the most. Thanks for your opinions.