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Did Sam say when Ma Peche will start serving dinner?

The best tasting meal that I've ever had (other than Per Se) is the 11-course Gourmand menu at Eleven Madison Park. It was four hours of pure brilliance! Service was exquisite. The pacing of the courses was perfect. Although I adore Per Se, I will probably return to EMP for the Gourmand menu sooner (especially since it's $100 per person less expensive--$275 at Per Se vs. $175 at EMP).

Just returned from a wonderful dinner at Gordon Ramsay. Food was delicious. We had the "Menu Prestige" -- 5 great dishes that were generous portions. Wonderful seared foie gras, trout, scallops and lamb. We chose the cheese course instead of the chocolate course. They brought us both. Yummy bon-bon trolley. Everything was great especially the cotton candy and the honey comb. Also the caramels. They gave us more of the wrapped candy "to go". Service was very attentive. The sommelier is our dear friend formerly from the old Aureole. He did a brilliant job of picking a perfect German Riesling for us. The room was about 3/4 full, and tables were being refilled. I do hope the restaurant stays; it might become my Aureole replacement.

I have a reservation for tonight. Can't cancel it since they have a 24 hour cancellation policy. Also their sommelier is formerly from the old Aureole (he was alway wonderful, and I made the reservation especially since he is now at Gordon Ramsay). Wish me luck!

I haven't been to Per Se in over three years (saving up for the down payment for my apartment and now the mortgage payment), but I splurged yesterday to take my mother and my sister to Per Se to celebrate my birthday and my mother's 85th birthday. What a sensational experience! My mother adored it, and hopes to make this an annual visit for her birthday. My mother is quite the seasoned gourmand having dined with me at Taillevent when she was younger and travelled with me to Paris. Her former favorite (and still one of her favorites) is EMP. Bouley and the former version of Aureole have also been among her favorites. I made the reservation two months ago (didn't want to risk not getting the reservation for her special day). I made a special note to the reservationist of the special birthdays, and on top of each page of the menu was a "Happy Birthday" note to both my mother and me (with our names!--very sweet and tickled my mom). I was thrilled that all of my favorites were on the menu (torchon of foie gras, lobster, duck, calotte de boeuf--I regularly check the Per Se website to see the daily menus). Of course the "oysters and pearls" were on the menu that everyone adored. New dessert: lemon meringue was perfect after all of the courses. We did receive an extra gift from the kitchen: truffled custard with chive potato chip served in an eggshell--really delicious. We didn't get the famous "coffee and donuts"-- we're not regulars (yet). All of the courses were wonderful. The foie gras torchon with huckleberries was lovely. Did add the sel gris, but didn't really need it. Loved how our waiter ran to the kitchen to check to make sure our Parkerhouse rolls were just coming out of the oven--they were melt in your mouth perfect. The halibut succotash was wonderful with the corn, peas, bacon and okra. The lobster caesar salad was great: softest and sweetest lobster; loved the roasted romaine lettuce. The pekin duck breast with cherries was also wonderful. The calotte de boeuf was melt in your mouth tender--my mother who now finds most beef (other than kobe or wagyu) too difficult to chew, adored being able to eat beef again. The cheese course was interesting (I like very few cheeses and mostly soft cow's milk; this was a hard cow's milk cheese); the cole slaw and mustard pain perdu were very tasty. We all chose the lemon meringue for dessert that was perfect and refreshing after a full meal. (Sorry I missed the peaches and cream dessert). My mom and my sister received the strawberry and yogurt pot de creme, while I received the creme brulee. Although the creme brulee was perfect, it did pale in comparison to the pot de creme (almost tempted to ask for it, and I'm sure my waiter would have indulged me). Chocolates, butterscotch caramels, truffles, nougats followed. My mother was so thrilled when we were offered a tour of the kitchen. Everyone was so incredibly kind and gracious to her; she felt like a queen!. Chef Benno was not in the kitchen last night, but I can't imagine anything being any better than it was. Service was flawless. The sommelier helped us pick the perfect German Riesling (and the least expensive of the three that I was considering). A new touch for us: we each received a copy of our menu in a folder (lovely souvenir) and a slice of cake (I gave my mother my cake since I'm back to Weight Watchers for the next 2 months). To sum up: a brilliant and memorable dinner for my mother's special day.

Last night I celebrated my 50th birthday at Bouley; it was fabulous! My sister and I chose the $95 Tasting Menu, and everything was delicious! The famous porcini flan and crab deserves all of its accolades. The lobster course that followed was also wonderful: I don't recall ever tasting lobster so perfectly cooked (soft and sweet as well as a very generous portion). The egg dish with Serrano ham was superb; the egg yolk mixes perfectly with the ham and the parmesan cheese. Bouley's egg dish rivals my favorite egg dish at Momofuku Ko. The next course was a gift from the Chef: black bass (I'm usually no fan of bass, but this was delicious too). The final savory course was my favorite: the breast of duck with white truffle honey. The coconut soup with passion fruit and yogurt sorbet made a great palate cleanser and a lovely dessert. We ordered the amaretto flan with maple and amaretto ice creams, white coffee mousse and carmelized bananas; the maple ice cream was my favorite. I was brought an extra dessert of creme brulee with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate -- lovely. The variety of breads offerred was great; my favorites were the apple, raisin, and garlic breads. Service was attentive and warm. We each received the lovely lemon tea cake as we left. Bouley continues to be at the top of its game.

I'm very surprised--it is my understanding they are doing it now regularly. If it was a slip up, that shouldn't be happening.... I was told they are doing it now regularly and assumed that to be the case. I think its only been recent but if it was last week, then I think you were supposed to have been given one. ← I had the Gourmand dinner 3 weeks ago, and both my sister and I were given the little caviar tin with the menu. Apparently, it was a slip up. To be honest, I would trade the menu in the caviar tin for the wonderful brioche they used to give out at the end of the dinner. It was probably too expensive.

You will be rushing your lunch (or be late for your 2:00 show). Why don't you change your reservation to a dinner instead?

Well said!

Congratulations to Chef Humm, Danny Meyer and the entire staff of EMP! Boy, am I glad I had my Gourmand meal three weeks ago (see my review above). Next week I'm having dinner at Per Se (battle of the 4 stars!).

Thanks so much for the good wishes!

I'm going to Per Se in 2 weeks to celebrate my big 5-0 (and my mom's big 8-5); I look forward to see how Per Se compares to EMP. I've always loved Per Se.

Another brilliant lunch at Ko yesterday. I finally took my sister to lunch (found out that the chefs are very accomodating to her no pork diet--there were only 2 courses that needed adjustment). We both loved it. Usual 3 hours. The lunch felt more delicate than in the past (meaning that I didn't feel uncomfortably full at the end of the meal); we went to Milk Bar, took home a piece of crack pie (my favorite), cornflake cookies, and I even ate the peaches and cream soft serve--great new flavor). The 16 courses included: oyster with hackleback caviar, fluke, kanapachi, madai (sea bream--I think), the best toro, uni and yuba skin, the egg dish with the "bagel" with cream cheese and bacon (very yummy), a lovely corn dish with chanterelles, gnocchi, black bass, grilled octopus, the always wonderful shaved foie gras, the wonderful duck with plums, a new cheese course (that I like better), green tomato sorbet, and a delightful strawberry dessert. I have always found the chefs very approachable and willing to answer questions. Service was (as usual) very attentive. As much as I love Per Se, I think I actually prefer Ko for the most creative and delicious cuisine. A comparable meal at Per Se would cost twice as much, and there is something so enjoyable about dressing casually. You all know I'll be back soon.

Curious as to why you asked whether I was dining alone. I am glad that you'll give EMP another try; I don't think you would be disappointed. ← Because I generally dine alone and was interested in how you were treated. The last time I was there it was by myself and I felt a bit rushed. ← While I've never dined alone at EMP, the service could not have been more well spaced between courses. Anytime I've had the feeling I'm being rushed at a restaurant, I'll mention to the captain that I am in no hurry (especially if the staff might think that I'm going to the theatre). I know when I do dine alone, I dislike having lengthy pauses between my courses (definitely still would not want to feel rushed).

I also loved the old Aureole; I hope I feel the same way about the new Aureole. I'm having dinner in the dining room next week, and I'll report back. I do hope the casualness of the new front room still allows for the charm and sophisticiation in the new dining room that I used to love so much about Aureole.

Curious as to why you asked whether I was dining alone. I am glad that you'll give EMP another try; I don't think you would be disappointed.

Out of curiousity, where you there by yourself or with others? ← With one other person.

Eater reported this week that Bruni has been spotted three times in recent weeks at EMP. As Eater noted, "either Fantastic Frank is milking his expense account for all it's worth, or Danny Meyer could have a four star restaurant on his hands." ← EMP definitely deserves the four stars; I hope they get it.

Last night I finally experienced the 11 course Gourmand menu at EMP. One word describes it: exquisite! Dinner took well over 4 hours (with well spaced pauses between each course). My favorites were: caviar (served in its tin) over panna cotta and sturgeon; heirloom tomatoes covered with a cloud of foam, tomato tartare and tomato sorbet with granola; sea urchin capuccino over crab and cauliflower; lobster poached with lemon verbena and flavors of ratatouille. Desserts were wonderful too: "strawberries and champagne": strawberry sorbet, lemon gelee and champagne emulsion; and a chocolate raspberry dish with raspberry sorbet. Service was its usual perfection. I wish more restaurants would stress service as much as does EMP. Chef Humm visited with all of the tables; he is very sweet and genuinely seem interested in his diners. I have a dinner reservation next month at Per Se, and all I can say is that Per Se has a tough act to beat.

Great news about Chef Benno; I'm having a special birthday celebration at Per Se next month, and I'm so happy that Chef Benno will still be at Per Se (of course Chef Keller will ensure that whoever is at the helm will be wonderful!).

I want to report back about my dinner last night at Seasonal: it is an excellent find! I started with the foie gras torchon with rhubarb puree and pickled rhubarb and brioche toast points--yummy! Their preparation rivals any foie gras torchon in the haute cuisine restaurants. I don't usually like rhubarb, but it worked beautifully with the richness of the foie gras. For my entree, I chose the beef strip loin that was prepared as requested, medium rare. The beef was accompanied by frizzled shallots and cipollini onions--I finished my entire plate. Since I am now seriously off my diet, I ordered a lovely dessert of the quark cheese dumplings with strawberries; the dumplings was so light. The service was very attentive and friendly. One of the chefs, Wolfgang Ban, was at the entrance when my sister and I arrived, and he was very warm and friendly. Periodically during the dinner, he would stop at each table to check on his guests. I look forward to returning soon. I hope you check out Seasonal soon. It's definitely worth a visit.

[ I regularly dine at Ko, and the reason I go back so often even though there are no tangible benefits is for the single reason that I love their cuisine. Since I usually space my reservations to no more than monthly and alternate between lunch and dinner, I am always pleased with the changing menus. My favorite (the shaved foie gras) is always on both menus. Unlike other posters on this board, it was only recently that I had the deep fried short ribs at dinner; I loved it so much I've been back for dinner twice since. Sometimes there will be a course that I don't care for (sweetbreads/rabbit--just a personal dislike as opposed to Ko's preparation), but I would say that I love probably 90% of the courses. Sometimes I'm sad when Ko retires a favorite, but there's always a new favorite.

I am thrilled to hear such a glowing review of Seasonal since I'm dining there tomorrow evening.

I'm curious about your (strong) feeling about Mas since I have always wanted to try it. I was a fan of Galen when he was at Bouley. Would you expand on your feeling that Mas is over valued.

I disagree about Oceana. While the food is good, the service from the maitre d' was horrid. I had lunch at Oceana in December (the place was 90% empty and remained empty throughout the lunch service). Maitre d' still wanted to seat me at a bad table (next to the door); when I objected he seats me at another bad table (right by the entrance to the kitchen so every waiter has to pass my table). I didn't refuse because I didn't want to make a fuss, but talk about poor judgment of the maitre d'. I haven't been back since, and I've posted about my experience on other sites. I hope Oceana's management wises up and fires this guy. Oceana is not undervalued with this type of service.