Majmaj4

Based on a recent visit. Automatic slims - Very good food, in a funky bar-like atmosphere. Wasn't impressed with their house speciality coconut shrimp, the rest of the food was inventive, tasty, and well prepared. Rendezvous - Good bbq ribs and enjoyed the experience. But expect noise, crowds , and not much service. I wouldn't eat here if I lived in the city, but liked it for a once in a while visit. Ribs were much tastier, leaner, & moister than I expected. Cafe Samovar - A small Russian restaurant. Interesting mostly because hard to get good russian food in most cities. Very good prices at lunch. Dinner seemed a little pricy.

I ate at Nougatine while on a mini-vacation. I thought the food was some of the best I had ever had. Better than the meal a few days earlier at Daniel. (although one dinner is not very much to judge a restaurant on). I had the crab appetizer with papaya - one of the best things I have ever tasted. Lamb & risotto dish was also excellent. I savored every bite of the appetizer & main course. Dessert was okay but not special. There were some disappointments with the meal also. 1) Service was not very good. As an example - they either wanted to give me bread or take my bread plate away as soon as I had finished the last piece, saying that they would get in trouble if my bread plate was empty. Seems like they could come up with some sort of symbol. For simple questions about wine by the glass they had to get the sommelier. 2) The bread seemed stale, and was not very tasty. I tried both varieties available. Since the main restaurant was closed the day I was there - I wondered if it was cooked the previous day. 3) The bar area was noisy - hard floors and walls made it pretty loud. I like a little noise, but seemed a little excessive. I was eating alone. They did not have a problem making a reservation for one, but the small tables were put in the back corners. I would have preferred being able to see more. Conclusion - I would get into the main dining room if at all possible, but if you can't enjoy the food.

I am visiting New York for the first time. Based on all the writeups on Jean Georges I was interested in trying it. But it is closed on Sunday. My free evening. I now have reservations at Nougatine. Is the food as good? Creative? I couldn't find a menu on their website.