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checkplease

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Everything posted by checkplease

  1. But the "NYC aesthetic," such as it is (and I agree that it exists in some sense) encompasses a range, not just one style. For instance: a small, dimly lit, brick-walled place (like Dell'Anima, Little Owl, and many many others). Or a starker, edgier, but still warm space (Ssam Bar). What they have in common is that they're relaxing and casual, but they take food seriously. Neither hole-in-the-wall nor Vegas.
  2. I tip 20% too unless the service is nasty or noticeably cold or egregiously wrong. But I might be old-school in the fact that I resent being relied on to provide a significant chunk of the watitstaff's salary, since the owners can get by with farming that out to customers. I still think tipping should be done the Euro/non-U.S. way: just a little something extra, with a nice fat tip if the service happens to be exceptional. A tip should be earned, not assumed. That said, I follow the NYC/U.S. norms only because otherwise the waitstaff would be living below poverty level.
  3. I'd hate to see what would happen if I had a large margherita pizza in front of me and wasn't splitting it with someone. Ditto a loaf of bread. Or a hunk of sharp cheddar or mimolette or parmigiano reggiano. I have an easier time stopping with sweets than with certain savories. On the upside, when sugar snap peas are in season I can't stop eating those; an entire one or two pound bag from the market--easy.
  4. There's a great little market called Marche des Enfants Rouges in the Marais--open weekends only, I think. Has a fantastic Moroccan food stand (delicious tagines; long lines) and excellent Japanese/sushi stand and good coffee. Can go alone and eat while walking or grab a seat or picnic table. Cafe Constant is a good bistro for solo dining (chef Christian Constant, owner of Le Violin D'Ingres).
  5. Agreed. Correct answer is Cochon and Cochon. Or Cochon one night, and the next-door Cochon Butcher the next night (for one of the city's best muffalettas, and a snack--or dessert?--of bacon pralines).
  6. Best thing to do here is to sit at the bar or at the crudo counter and order 2 or so crudo dishes (most are pretty outstanding) and a glass of wine. Maybe a pasta too, depending on time of day, but you can try some of White's best dishes without spend loads of time/money here if you don't commit to a full-on dinner.
  7. Might be too late for this post but here goes anyway: Oceana just moved to the same block as Del Frisco's--bright, roomy new space that looks like it could handle big groups. Just went for lunch the other day. Not sure what the vibe is like at dinner, but the seafood is terrific (great raw bar and cooked seafood, plus some steaks on the menu).
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