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The really impressive part is your being able to go there 40 times! Do you have a special secret to the res system, or are you just persistent? Shame about the wine pours. Have you mentioned anything to them? I've noticed that in many restaurants, if that's the case, saying something gets you fairly generous pours going forward. I wonder if it was something calculated on their part to reduce them as a matter of procedure, and whether they're aware of the bad will it can create (which often isn't worth the savings). If the wine pours are less generous than before it's probably due to so many people reporting that they were getting too drunk/tipsy on the wine pairings. I know that the first time I had dinner at Ko about three years ago, I felt too tipsy to remember much about the dinner (other than it was fantastic). Ever since then I order a half bottle of Riesling for dinner and sometimes a whole bottle of Riesling for lunch (with about 1/3 left over). I like the Rieslings due to their low alcohol content and beautiful flavor with the Ko food.

Another fantastic lunch at Ko on Saturday. Here's what was on the menu: 1) amuses: oyster; mussel soup; carrot purée with hackleback caviar in pommes souffle. 2) diced octopus, green tomato and country ham in spoon 3) sashimi: sea bream with fish scales; branzino; Spanish mackerel with beets; scallop with poppyseed. 4) trio of vegetables: spring onion filled with rice porridge; Japanese eggplant; kimchi asparagus. 5) kimchi gelee consommé with spring vegetables. Gorgeous and tasty. 6) mixed mushroom salad (tempura and grilled) with candied cashews and a side cup of mushroom consommé with chive oil. Excellent. 7) puffed egg in bacon broth. Creamier texture-better. 8) bento box: rice rolled with pork fat; soft shell crab tempura in hand roll with house made XO sauce: uni with pea shoots and melon balls in chilled dashi; and mustard greens. 9) ricotta dumplings in fried chicken consommé with fried chicken skin and ramps. Fabulous. 10) trout with radishes over diced potato salad. Fabulous. 11) charcuterie: rabbit Terrine; smoked lamb and sliced pig head terrine. Not for me--nothing wrong with it, but I don't care for either rabbit or pig's head anything. 12) chicken breast stuffed with chicken thigh stuffing and asparagus. Lovely. 13) marscapone cheese with gelee. Light. 14) foie gras torchon with lychee, pinenut brittle and riesling gelee. 15) English pea ice cream with white chocolate foam and goat butter pound cake. Interesting. 16) white miso ice cream with toasted black rice and sticky white rice in waffle cone. 17) onigiri to take home. Service was (as always) friendly and attentive. Chefs were very friendly and informative. Fantastic way to spend an afternoon. Note to self: need to do this more often BTW, I think the ice cream from your dinner (if it was the same as mine from early May) was goat cheese.

I had a great dinner last night at LTO. No problems with pacing of the courses. I had the 24 course dinner, and finished in about 3 hours which was perfect timing. Food was very delicious and creative. Only course that didn't "wow" me was the olive course--I hate olives! I had the non-alcoholic beverage pairings and they were delicious! Service was friendly and attentive. When I left the restaurant (at about 9:30) almost every table was taken. Too bad Chef Cooper isn't opening his restaurant in NYC. Look forward to see which other chefs will be at LTO. I think it's a great concept; you need to visit quickly otherwise the chef will be gone. I believe Chef Cooper is in the kitchen only through next week. Highly recommend you make a reservation quickly!

I had dinner at Ko last Monday night, and there were a few differences: the amuses and the pre-dessert. My amuses were: in addition to the chicharron, we had lobster with pepper and mizuna, and ama ebi on a rice cake square. The amuses you had sound better. My pre-dessert was the sancho ice cream over diced apples (I had this on the lunch menu in November). As much as I enjoy the skate, I wish Ko would "retire" it until next year. I think I've eaten it at least 3 times for dinner and once for lunch. I wouldn't mind if they brought back the deep-fried short rib. Last year I loved it so much I went to dinner 3 weeks in a row (yes, I know I'm a bit excessive). I'll be back for dinner in March.

My favorite cupcakes are at Dessert Club ChikaLicious (especially their red velvet and premium caramel). To me, they are the perfect size and have the perfect cake to frosting ratio. Even though I live around the corner from Two Little Red Hens, I find their cupcakes too large; their mini cupcakes are quite cute and perfect for a little treat.

Food Doc: You still remain the champ at Momofuku Ko: I think I recall you mentioning in one of your posts that you've enjoyed 40 visits; I think I'm at only #30. Congrats on your achievement!

Nope, Ma Peche (the official restaurant) opened in the spring. I think the mezzanine opened earlier in the year (January?).

The reason why LOS NY isn't getting much "buzz" is for the one simple reason: it isn't that good. I travel frequently to LV, but haven't yet made it to LOS LV since many of my visits are solo (and I know I'd only be able to taste 2 or 3 dishes if I went solo to LOS LV). I went with my sister last month to LOS NY, and we were both very underwhelmed with the food. The portions are tiny and expensive. We're definitely not rushing back. Still would like to try LOS LV when I have someone else traveling with me.

My new favorite restaurants for 2010: Ma Peche; Riverpark My continuing favorite restaurants: Momofuku Ko; Bouley; and Eleven Madison Park

It was nice, but I feel he could have really spent less time talking about how difficult the place was to get to and spent more time talking about the food. Almost the full first page of the internet version of the review was spent on coming up with witty ways to describe how difficult it was to get there (eg. "If you haven’t been in the area since your child had ear surgery or after your aunt had that episode on the bus, Riverpark is a fine adventure to take."). It just seems like he's trying too hard. I skipped over Sifton's complaint about the difficulty of finding the restaurant. I used to live in the neighborhood, and my sister still does, so I'm thrilled that Kips Bay has a great new restaurant. I was pleased to read that some of my favorite dishes received praise (cavatelli with lamb, scallops). I'm heading back for another dinner in a few weeks so I'm looking forward to trying some new dishes.

Very nice review in today's Dining Section by Sam Sifton (two stars).

If you don't have the time to play with the Momofuku Ko reservation system, I highly recommend Ma Peche (one of the other David Chang restaurants). I go there very often (I also go to Ko very often too). The food at Ma Peche is very creative and delicious. The restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner, with the dinner menu being more expansive.

The other sushi restaurants in the neighborhood that I've tried are: Inase, Poke, Tokubei 86. Do you prefer Gajyumaru to them? Especially curious since Gajyumaru is around the corner from me.

Delighted to read your review of Tableau. I've booked a return trip to LV for early April to stay at the Tower Suites at The Wynn. Your photos are wonderful, and I can't wait to try Tableau.

Had another great visit to Charleston. Also stayed at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. Magnolia's is still great: went to lunch on our day of arrival and had the She-Crab soup that was delicious. I also had their Fried Green Tomato BLT that was "yummy"--wish NYC restaurants could make this. Dinner at McCrady's was "okay"--I expected better. Food wasn't particularly memorable and horrible timing problem between dishes: appetizers came out within 5 minutes of placing our orders, and entrees were placed as soon as appetizers were removed. Long wait for dessert (it was only sorbet). All of the tables were having the same problem. Dined at 82 Queen, and loved it. Fried okra was excellent, as were the crab cakes and ribeye steak. Returned to Carolina's for lunch (my mistake above) to have their delicious steak sandwich with the best truffled french fries. Joseph's continues to be an excellent choice for breakfast (love their beignets!). Dinners at The Sanctuary ranged from good (Atlantic Grill) to very good (Jasmine Porch) to excellent (Ocean Room). We had the Autumn Mushroom Degustation that was wonderfully creative and delicious (even dessert had mushrooms that were brilliant). Buffet breakfasts at Jasmine Porch were excellent with great selections and among the best omelettes. Service at all of The Sanctuary restaurants was excellent.

I've seen reservations for Per Se become available on OpenTable at the last minute (last minute cancellations). Always tempted, but not dressed up enough to go. BTW, I just checked OpenTable (for the fun of it), and there is a 5:30 reservation available tonight for 2 or 4. Darn, I wished I had dressed up today. Sorry, the reservation for today is gone, but there is a lot of availability for tables for 4 during the next several weeks (nothing on Fridays or Saturdays though).

I returned to Riverpark last night for a birthday celebration for my aunt, and it was another great dinner. We had a great table by the window. Service was very attentive and friendly (as well as very professional). Appetizers included the cavatelli with lamb that remains outstanding. My sister had the swiss chard ravioli with chanterelles and lemon, and she loved it. Our aunt started with the lobster and artichoke salad that had a gigantic piece of lobster that was tender. Entrees included the wonderful duck that I had previously loved that remains delicious. Our aunt had the rack of lamb that now has three generous chops. I had the scallops that were lovely. Desserts included a trio of ice creams sorbets (wonderful malt ice cream and concord grape sorbet), the delicious beignets with two sauces, the molasses pound cake, and a complimentary lemon meringue with the lemon/mustard ice cream that now tastes much better. Riverpark is quickly becoming a new favorite restaurant of mine. The restaurant was almost full by 8:30 when we left. I look forward to many more visits.

Riverpark is the new gem in the Tom Colicchio empire! It is definitely out of the way in a Life Science building on E. 29 St. between First Ave. and the FDR (with a very small sign on First Ave--need bigger sign). Definitely worth the visit. Food is excellent--I ate half of the menu, and everything was wonderful: cavatelli with lamb and mint--yummy; hamachi crudo and tartare; beet flavored deviled eggs with smoked fish; pork belly with pickled vegetables; potato chips with blue cheese dressing (okay, the dressing needs to be thicker--it drips on everything). Main dishes were the duck breast and the rack of lamb; the duck breast was sensational! You must order the french fries; ask for an extra portion of the delicious garlic aloli. Desserts were great too!--malt ice cream; beignets with two sauces--chocolate and cream; and lemon meringue with a lemon/mustard ice cream--okay, that was a weird combo that needs to be rethought. Service was very friendly and accommodating. Lovely view. In the warm weather, the outdoor tables will be the most sought after tables in all of NYC--gorgeous view! Kind of strange that the restrooms are outside of the restaurant in the lobby of the office building though. Definitely plan to return many times. Thank you Tom for opening a great restaurant in this part of town!

I'm having dinner at Riverpark (Tom Colicchio's new restaurant) later this week. Has anyone been there yet? Any dishes that I should/shouldn't order? Thanks for your help.

I highly recommend Eleven Madison Park. I had dinner at the restaurant two weeks ago (after tha change in menu format), and I have to be honest, EMP has never been better! The food while always excellent is now at even a more creative level. Service is a perfect balance between professionalism and warmth. The room is lovely and dramatic (double height ceiling). I'm taking my sister to EMP next week to celebrate her 50th birthday (she's going to be mad at me that I told, but I want to give you the impression that EMP is not a stodgy restaurant, but rather it's a restaurant at the top of its game).

I have been eagerly looking forward to my dinner at the “new” EMP, and it’s better than ever!—not than it needed any improvement. I think a number of our fellow Hounds have been nervous about changes in an already great restaurant. Please rest assured that if you love/like EMP, you’ll love it better now. If you haven’t been a fan, you should visit the restaurant now, and you will become a fan—a big fan of the restaurant. From the first welcome at the door—and yes, it does feel like you’re entering a friend’s home—service is flawless. The warmth, professionalism and attentiveness are without equal. The food, while previously always delicious, is somehow even more creative. The parade of amuses is exquisite. The chefs bringing these out seem so pleased to meet their guests and happy to talk about the preparations. I lost count, but they’re all winners. We chose the 5 course menu. We certainly had a “dialogue” with our captain, Alexandra, about all of the dishes. She was wonderful about explaining all of the various components of the dishes. I guess in retrospect, I always have a dialogue with the staff at any restaurant to find out more about any dish that I’m interested in. Doesn’t matter to me whether it’s a one word description or ten, I’ll still ask for more detail (especially when I’m choosing the dish). I chose the crab, potato, lobster, beef and apple, and they were all winners. My sister had the beet, crab, potato, chicken and apple, and loved all of her dishes too. I won’t spoil the surprise for anyone interested, also because the preparations change more frequently. I’m returning to EMP in three weeks for my sister’s birthday celebration, and I know that while the key ingredient may remain the same, the preparations will have changed. As others have previously described, we were given a tour of the kitchen by Dining Room Manager, Daniel, as well as a comprehensive explanation about the new coffee service. We had a specially created dessert in the kitchen—it was delicious! During the tour of the kitchen, we had an opportunity to say hello to both Chef Humm, and General Manager, Will Guidara; both were genuinely interested in how we were enjoying our dinner. We had the expert guidance of EMP’s wine director, John Ragan, in the selection of the perfect Riesling. It was a “yummy” wine. As we were leaving, we received—as other have already described-- a container of granola as a gift. Can’t wait until breakfast

Thanks for your very detailed report. It was similar to my lunch last month (but there are always updates). The peach compote is new, as is the trout and all of the amuses bouche. I agree about the corn ravioli--it was brilliant! I love how they will make variations each time (mackerel is also new in the sashimi). Did you find the short rib as tender as the short rib on the dinner menu; I found it almost too crusty in comparison to the dinner version that I loved last year. Congratulations on your milestone (40th) visit (I think I'm at about 2 dozen visits). Which do you prefer the lunch or dinner? Have you recently gone to Ko for dinner (I ask because I'll probably make another dinner reservation in the next week or two, and was wondering about the current dinner menu. My last dinner was about two months ago).

I wish I knew; all I can tell you it was delicious!

The new dinner format sounds wonderful! Thanks for posting such a very detailed report. I have dinner reservations (I made the reservation after hearing about the new format) in two weeks, and I am looking forward to it. When I had dinner at EMP in July, my sister and I were raving about the basil granola that accompanied the heirloom tomato salad with mozzarella ice cream (great dish!). We were each gifted with a package of the basil granola--best snack food ever!

I wasn't offered a tour of the kitchen until my 5th visit (my mother's 85th birthday celebration; we all enjoyed the tour very much!).