angelsfan

I think that there needs to be a clarification made for the purpose of this thread. There are two different schools of sushi establishments and both serve raw fish but they are clearly different beasts. There are low price sushi joints which are the proletariet establishment that gives you a slice of fish and made with minimal care...generally because the good ones get busy and they need turnover. I would say that Tomoe is on the upper end of this variety. Then there is a second Sushi shop variety which treat the fish and the process of sushi as art. The details such as proportions and rice tase and consistency is raised to maticulous level. The price may drive the hoards away but that allows for the exacting methods necessary to keep the sushi perfect. I have eaten at both Tomoe and Sushi Yasuda and I wouldnt even go near trying to judge them it is apples vs. oranges. Personally I dont really like low priced sushi but i certainly respect Tomoe for providing fresh fish. We all must just view sushi as having to different parties and choose your own affiliation.

For my 21st birthday i just got a bottle of 1981 Cakebread Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon. I know nothing about wine but i do know that this is quite valuable but if anyone would approximately what a bottle of this would be worth i may be able to treat it with proper care. I could also use advice as to what to drink such a wine with. Im sorry im such a novice...i like good food plenty but this is my first experience with fine wine. Thanks!

*Laughing* And they could get a couple of dogs from Gray's Papaya. With a little Coconut Champagne to set the mood.

Too true ~ my only qualm would be that they gave me too much food. I skipped lunch and still had a tuff time eating everything. Plus the menu used extensive use of rare ingrediants truffles (white and black) and quail egg. Next time I will have to skip breakfast too! But you are dead on about the real (economic) price of the food compared to the actual price listed. If that sounded like an overblown "right on!" it really was.

hmmm...interesting thought regarding "romantic seating". But remember I agreed that the seating arangement may be more romantic, "you can put your arm around your potential fiancee and get close which is a bonus". But staring at people although it maybe entertaining definetly detracts from the romantic conversation and promotes the "do you see what that guy is wearing!?" conversations. I would agree with you that it would help if we had some input from the party requesting. But from what I can gather the emphasize seemed to be on price. I believe I spent 250 for two at March with wine. 71 Clinton was 20 bucks an entree and had comparable food. Alright here is too continued arguments (with or without the propietor of this topic)

I too went to March, but the problem that I found was that my girlfriend and I were both put on the same side of the table. (I may be wrong but I think this is true for all of the tables there) This leads to 2 problems. 1. Akward conversation that comes with turning your head and talking to someone as you are also trying to eat which requires keeping your eyes forward. 2. You are staring at a couple sitting across from you which leads to a certain level of self conciousness (i.e.- Seeing the guy across the walkway making eyes at your lady) Or at least that is what you think. But you can put your arm around your potential fiancee and get close which is a bonus. As for the food I thought that it was very hit or miss. A great example was a lobster dish with rissotto, Wayne Nish's mastery of the lobster was evident it was moist and perfectly flavored among the best lobster I have had, period. But the rissotto was too sour, the taste whatever it was supposed to be had been bogged down in too many other ingrediants to make a confusing muck. Bottom Line, this restaurant can be great for getting close with your girlfriend but that has a price. I would suggest 71 Clinton if you would truly want eat well, keep some money in your pocket and also have a unique environment to propose to your girlfriend. It is tucked away on the lower east side and has a romantic charm that comes from low lighting, candles and a small cozy dining environment. Perfect for the college aged student (which I am) or someone just getting out. Only thing, book your reservation well in advance because it fills up fast. Best of Luck!

I dont know about actual parlors outside of Serendipity (which you mentioned) but there are still a number of good places to get ice cream in New York. My favorite is Cones on Bleecker St. They make all of their ice cream by hand which allows them the flexibility to have some fancy flavors like a champagne flavor (made with Dom Perignon ~ and yes you pay extra for the bubbley). It is a little pricey but what would you expect from self proclaimed "Ice Cream Artisans". For sit down places many dessert cafes have ice cream, like Cafe Lalo, but if youre going there you might as well get one of their great torts or cheesecakes. Hey maybe you can ask for a scoop of ice cream on the side.

Thank you for the suggestions and encouragement, (mainly the encouragement) because as soon as I finally picked up the phone and started calling restaurants, it took me only two calls to get in. I first tried Le Bernardin which was full (except for really late, i.e. 10:15), but I got back on the phone and tried Lespinasse, which suprisingly had a 7:30 time available, I was nearly beside myself. I took the time and later that evening when I told my friend where we were going he was quite impressed. We got the Tasting Menu which at the time seemed exorbanitly priced at 130 dollars but with 3 meat courses, 1 fish course and a half dozen more dishes served it turned out to be, if not a bargain, then a reasonable price to pay for the quality and amount of food served. The wine list was great, we got the '98 Chateauneuf du Pape but there were probably 20 other wines we just didnt get to in their wine bible. Overall a very good dinner and a hit with the Prince.

Alright, First of all Im new around these parts my name is Nixon and I hope to be posting often. Introductions aside let me introduce you to a certain Prince that i know (old Korean Royalty) going to school in NY, we will call him RTM. Just yesterday RTM told me that it was his birthday on friday (10/26) and that "he trusted that I would find an adequate place for a birthday dinner". Like the pushover I am I said sure but as soon as I hung up the phone I was in a cold sweat. All of the places that I could think of going: Lespinasse, Daniel, Jean Georges and Le Bernardine, seemed ridiculous to call on such short notice. And the places I really want to go: Tasting Room, Sushi Yasuda and others, really didnt seem like the right environment to take royalty. So now I am in a Royal dilemna (pun intended). Its thursday night and I need a place with fancy decor, excellent food (im thinking french because it seems the most regal), and most importantly a place i can get into tomorrow. Please Help! A side note: Steven I followed your Guerrilla Sushi Tactics at Sushi Yasuda and have made quite a good friend in Yasuda-son and the food is amazing. In comparison to Tomoe Sushi in the village [rated by zagats (what a fraud) as like the fifth best place for food over all] The food just doesnt compare, not even in the same league, the stoves for fried foods are near the sushi bar giving the fish and rice a slightly oily flavor. As for the Sushi Chef, he cuts the fish with reckless abandon not even looking at what hes doing this leads to huge cuts but the lack of care is evident in the taste. AND as Yasuda-son says "This is not the way of the Sushi Man", Yasuda insists that his fish must be stored away from everything that may contaminate it and even the rice must be covered. These little things and great, carefully cut sashimi, leads me to two conclusions: 1. Zagat Sucks 2. If youre in the vacinity of Sushi Yasuda stop in it is so choice