HannaBanana

I neither liked nor disliked it, tbh. In fact, I ended up a bit "m'eh" about the experience. Having eaten in Alinea and ElBulli (and I know it isn't correct to make a direct comparison) I just felt a little disappointed....Simply put, I thought it could have been better. I'd heard that...which makes me feel a bit guilty praising the Desserts so highly....but they were awesome!

I get a lot less time than Si to carefully word and structure what I write, actually accomplishing something when I'm in work. Hence, the lack of... hmmmm... diplomacy? Nonetheless, I did not get the point of the foie gras dish. Something as tasty as foie gras should not undergo a cooking/processing procedure, and end up less than the sum of it's parts. Go right ahead - it's the only time Si really gets a chance to fully have his say It's all part of our "organic approach" to posting!

That's because, simply put, it wasn't tasty. While novel, and technically brilliant, what's the point if it isn't tasty, or at least interesting in the mouth? I thought it was bland to the point of being tasteless..... I felt the fish dishes were quite well done, and the Miso soup with noodles probably stole the show - rich, intensely flavoursed soup....Mmmm.....Shitkae mushrooms (if memory serves)...... A special mention must go out to desserts. They were really excellent, and probably some of the best we had in New York.

You're very loyal Simon, but I gorged myself on a Chilli Dog, as well as a very large side of Fries, and a hefty mouthful of your sandwich. The fries were fab - it's always nice eating them when they resemble something that once was a potato. While the pastrami on rye was tasty, I certainly couldn't have managed a whole one.... On our way to Katz's, (somewhere along Houston), we passed a cart selling the most amazing smelling Indian kebabs and bhajis. We never made it back there, which is a shame. It was the best smelling Indian food i ever inhaled. More refutations and additions to follow....

Like I said, I generally just won't go in situations like that....I am an eGulleter, not someone who'll fill a slot! Fast forward 5 years into the future, and the only place I'll be able to go for my dinner is McDonalds!

In soome ways I agree, and I see what you're saying. However, I think it depends on the restaurant in question. Some restaurants simply won't do 8pm reservations - you get a 7pm or 9pm option and that's it. Irish, and more specifically, Dublin restaurant prices can be (with some exceptions ) extremely expensive, and I think it's unfair of the customer to feel rushed, or be constantly keeping an eye on the clock while having their costley and sometimes overpriced meal. I feel that it's less fair on the customer to experience this pressure, than on those customers who are turned away, or can't get a booking. As an example I refer to l'Gueleton - no reservations, but once you're in, you're in and have the table for the night.... and people are queueing from 5 pm for a Saturday table....and happy to do so. I don't think that everyone should be accomodated. I think in many cases, it's greed on the part of the restaurant - cram 'em in, throw the food at 'em and then kick 'em out. And some Dublin establishments ARE like this. Furthermore, to be quite honest, if I wan't a table for 8/8:30, that's when I want it. I (generally) won't go to a restaurant if all they'll offer me is a 7pm or 9pm reservation, and I'm told they need the table back. (I understand of course that with large groups/staggered sittings this may be different). I'm paying good money, and I wan't to relax over a good meal, not to see the next table glaring at me as I knock back my espresso as quick as possible. Like I said though, it depends on the place in question...I clearly won't have this attitude...oh...say tonight...with a group of 12....in Alexis....

Hello all, I am the aforementioned (lucky) lady who Simon is bringing to New York next week. While I haven't (on pain of death) read the thread (don't want to ruin any suprises), I'd like to say a big thanks in advance for all of the help and advice offered - we're both really excited about the trip, and I think eG has been a huge factor in this! A full report will no doubt follow in due course, but I can assure you of one thing - No high heels will keep me from any restaurant! Best, HB

Glad you survived your Irish Odyssey. RE: reservations, Welcome to the Celtic Tiger. Most places now do multiple sittings on a Thursday through to Saturday. So, if you're going in at 6 or 7, you will be told that you need to be gone by 8 or 9, and so on. Drives me mad.

...Followed by a top review from Lucinda O'Sullivan in the Sunday Independent! One weekend, two amazing reviews..... Prepare for the stampede......We're just glad we got to you before the madness starts! Heartfelt congrats!!!! H

Gosh, I dunno Si, it's a big ask. I'll never forget the celery experience in Alinea.... (Madras curry ball filled with liquid celery in pear juice. Ball burst in mouth. Mouth nearly ejected the course)

Ta very much! It's a great excuse for champagne quaffing and dinner-having!

Actually, they mentioned someone had rang them and sang "Chips, glorious chips" down the phone to them - you know, from the McCain ad?

*cough*

I would also heartily second Simons suggestion of L'Gueleton. While it's French, and they don't take bookings, it's one of the best lower/reasonably priced options in the City. As best you can, stay away from the area known as Temple Bar - it's tourist centre - over priced, faux Oirish, and serves mediocre (at best) food. If you fancy a little bit of the Too-ra-loo-ra, then I would suggest Gallaghers Boxty House - link: http://www.boxtyhouse.ie/ (sorry I don't know how to do the fancy link thing yet) As a lunch example, the set lunches in Mint and Thorntons on the Saturday (or Friday?) would be a low cost way to sample some top Irish cooking. Simon or Corinna might be kind enough to spare my blushes and do the link thing? A day/evening trip to Dun Laoghaire topped off with a visit to Alexis would be very pleasant at the end of April - it's on the coast and there are one or two nice walks. Foodsuffs to take home would include oak smoked salmon, cheese (make it to Sheridan cheesemongers), black pudding (Great with pancetta in salads)...

You'll be eating on your own buddy.

Damn my clue sluttiness. It is indeed!

Time for some clues? - It's a 1980's Movie - It was already suggested before as an (incorrect) guess above - There are numerous references to Mickey Mouse throughout the film

Well, I'll let you know how I get on there tonight! Canapés, here I come!

Ah, let's not go nuts now....My point simply was that a dinner without an exhaustive breakdown of the entire experience might be nice once in a while!

I think, and I'm way open to correction, the ammonia smell is from androstene steroids and skatole which build up in the fat and muscles of uncastrated boars reaching sexual maturation. When cooked, an ammonia-like smell frequently described as a "strong perspiration-like, urine-like unpleasant odour" is released.... Not everyone can detect it though....

Perhaps it is.... Seriously, nope, not as far as I'm aware. And I studied food science as part of a degree in agriculture.... Could be a case of Europe/USA using different terms, but the first page of google hits seems to confirm my first post.....

Hi there, This phenomenon is called "boar taint". Boar taint is an unpleasant odour that is released during cooking from some pork and products made from the meat and fat of non-castrated male pigs. Only a proportion of boars produce this odour and not all consumers are sensitive to it. Nevertheless it is a potential problem for the pork industry since an unpleasant experience can mean that a sensitive consumer may not purchase pork or pork products again. Some European countries are very concerned about this problem and most castrate all the male pigs not required for breeding.

...and I certainly WISH I was......

Dirty Dancing ← Bingo! While we're on watermelons, how about this one: "they don't serve fried chicken and watermelon on a daily basis in my mess hall"

Ok so, this has to be the easiest one EVER! "I carried a watermelon?"