gmi3804

My reputation preceeds me! If you're wondering if I'm the manager who posts here sometimes, the answer is "no." ::reaches for diet pills::

Aw, c'mon! That's no reason to divorce her!

I think it's the sense of history. Something was lost somewhere along the line, whether it was a change of ownership, recipe, or both. The ribs at Russell's are also dry and flake away from the bone like wood, even when they're drowned in the lacklustre sauce. I so want to love this place because it has so much character and history, but what's on the plate is rather dismal.

Tell us how you really feel! I understand your points. It's really not authentic BBQ. I remember it used to be much better. I'm not sure if they changed hands - this could be the case.

Thanks!

How does Per Se's menu at lunch differ from that at dinner? It seems to me a leisurely 11:30 lunch would be more enjoyable than a 5:30 dinner, assuming the food was the same. Am I wise to do luch in order to experience Per Se at its best? (Sorry if this has been discussed already here, but I can't search for words which are less than four letters long, ruling out "per" and "se" as search words. )

There is a really cool "back in time" quality to Russell's (at least at the original Elmwood Park location - think kitschy 1950s-style wagon-wheel chandeliers), but the sad truth is that my memories of the place are better than the present-day realities of the food. I so want to like this place more. I find the beef and pork to be dry, and the portions on the sandwiches are quite small. Mediocre french fries get soggy really fast, and the cole slaw is rather boring - vinegar-based variety without much flavor. Other than that I love it!

My experience at the new Le Francais was good, at best. (I posted my review shortly after going - remember, I was the cheapass whose $1 tip to the valet was rudely refused!) Le Deux Gros had its followers, but also had many detractors (it was savaged by one of the three reviewers on "Check, Please!") I'm wondering if the Brothers didn't try to do too much too fast? This certainly seems like a BIG career mistake.

When I was a "starving" student at the CIA, I used to love going to La Petit Auberge, on Lexington in the 20s somewhere. I don't even know if it's still there, but it had solid bistro food in a cozy atmosphere at student-friendly prices. **I just checked Zagat online - it IS still there! On Lexington between 27th and 28th.

Is there an update on Cafe Gray's opening?

How was the pork chop? I'm always looking for a place that makes a good one because, when properly cooked, pork chops rank among my favorite dishes. Did they ask how you wanted it cooked?

I quite agree. The New York eGullet community, to wit, constantly underlines the fact that their members make up but a minute percentage of New York's dining population. The purpose of our discussions is to share our thoughts (which are, by nature, highly subjective). That we disagree with each other often is good grist for the discussion mill. This thread is merely a place for us to wonder about different restaurants' futures based on what's been heard here and around town, and based on individual experiences at those establishments. While using a message board such as this may be a higher-tech version of the water cooler at work, it's not unreasonable for the writers of views such as the ones expressed in this thread to expect the readers to realize that these views are still only speculation.

I guess starting a rumour now won't be much fun. Great to have you aboard, Jeff! I'm sure everyone here would love to hear more from you!

Let's start a rumor!

I'm wondering, if indeed they are suffering, if the cuisine at moto is just not "commercial" enough for a mainstream crowd. Sure, eGulleters are having fun with it (but there are even some dissenters in that limited market), but can the general public support a place like that enough to keep it in business?

How about price points? I'd imagine the prices are pretty high, judging from the former menu at Avenues...

I'm happy as a clam to report that dinner last night at Trio Atelier was a smashing success! The room is a lot more casual now. The artwork is gone and in its place are several flat-screen monitors showing soothing, abstract images; I christened them, "Father, Mirror, Father," a nod to Terry Zwigoff's Ghost World. Allay your fears! Trio's wine list remains intact. Rather than be adventurous and try several different 3-oz pours with different courses, we chose a beautiful 1988 Vosne Romanee, this being a special birthday celebration. At $165 it was fairly-priced. There are many fine selections for under $50 per bottle. Here's what we had, in order. Most dishes were small-ish, as noted on the menu; anywhere between a large amuse and a small entree, sizewise. It was tough deciding what to choose. Flight of Salt - four tastings of different salts accompanied by watermelon, zucchini, hard-boiled egg, and heirloom tomatoes Provençal Tart, a ratatouille in a parmesan crust with a piquillo pepper sauce Grilled Octopus over a fennel and olive potato salad Rabbit Virtini, a Lithuanian dumpling of rabbit and mashed potato in a brothlike sauce of cress, horseradish, and tomato Caraway Veal Cheek, braised with mushrooms and lardon, and served with a root puree. Rich and smoky, very satisfying, reminiscent of a very tender shortrib. French Gnocchi were ethereal ricotta dumplings served with almonds and seasonal vegetables (squash) in brown butter Croque Monsieur, a mini ham and cheese sandwich made with white cheddar and served with mutarde du violet, a sweet horseradish mustard Lemongrass Soda, a shooter with golden zucchini savory muffins and creme fraiche Cabrales Pecan Tart was almost quiche-like; cabrales is a very pungent bleu cheese. Grape jam helptd to cut the sharp flavor of the cheese Peach Pound Cake with chamomile ice cream Apricot Charlotte light mousse-like confection served with white cornmeal ladyfingers and fresh blueberries For all the great dishes we sampled, there were that many more that we couldn't, for lack of stomach space! Service was polished and professional. Dishes ranged from $4 to $12, with most falling in the middle of that range. It's nice to have such a casual, yet serious, new place. I'm excited about sampling new items as different seasonal ingredients become available. On a Tuesday night, the place was only half full, but there were private dinners going on in their private rooms. I suspect the word isn't out yet on the new concept, but am confident that soon we won't be able to get near the place without advance planning (perhaps it's like that on weekends already). I wish them the best!

I'll second Hamura's - zero decor, but cheap and good. Try Ma's for breakfast in Lihue. Not the cleanest place around, but, again, cheap. Up in Kapaa, the banana pancakes with coconut syrup at Country Kitchen can't be beat.

I don't think it's a very good sign that its wine list is not featured on Trio Atelier's WEBSITE.

I'm taking my partner Greg to Trio Atelier tomorrow night for his birthday. We haven't been yet, and are looking forward to it. (We had the BIG celebration on Saturday, with a twelve-course tasting menu at TRU.) What is the wine list like at TA? Did Trio's Sommelier leave with chefG? We sometimes like to bring a special wine to a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion. The corkage charge is $20. I'm wondering if the menu is "special" enough to justify one of our Big Guns.

I like that Miramar is successful - it's nice to have a good-quality "hang-out" on the North Shore. I think the desserts are a bit skimpy compared to the portions of the other menu items, but then again I come from the school of "more is more"!

I'm glad to hear you guys had such a great time at Miramar! It really is a special place, and the wrinkles are all but ironed out. Now the only problem is getting in during peak dining hours! Fortunately, it's open rather late (1am during the week!), so it's also a great off-hours and late-night option as well. And we all know the latter is pretty much limited to Denny's on the North Shore! Dining outside will be especially nice during the cool September evenings.

Shouldn't part of a good dining experience be the consistency of the product and the service? Even if the product is ever-evolving and reinventing itself? I just don't think Le Lan has hit its stride yet. I'm hopeful for its future success, because it's just the type of place, if done right, I really love. The fact that it's already giving out 1,000 points for select reservations on the Open Table online reservation service is not a good sign.

Today's review by Pat Bruno in the Sun-Times gives Le Lan two stars. $40 for three courses? Huh?!? The entrees are $25-$35! LE LAN / **

Yes. And I rather like Stir Crazy - much more so than the madhouse, overpriced P.F. Chang's. Not that Stir Crazy is exactly empty either...