ellenesk

I think less was focuesd on Cafe grey, because there items were being butlere passed all over the building, and they did not serve out of their restaurant the way the other venues did. There food was not as interesting, although the tuna tartare was great as were the winter fruit beignets. Other items did not stand out. They were probably more limited as they were producing for a greater number of people. I agree on previous posts about this restaurant, although I must admit I am a die hard Keller fan.

Forgot about the salmon cones, and missed the cauliflower soup and peanut butter truffles. Will have to make up for it when I eat there. I agree about the sake. There is so much bad sake in this world you forget how good it really can be.

Yes, it was rare

Attended the opening of the Time Warner Center last evening. Had the opportunity to explore and taste at Masa, Rare and Per Se. Masa is austere and lovely, in addition to the dining room, there is a bar area with seating. The sushi was everything ever written. Tuna tartare pureed to the point of a mousse served with black truffles. The worlds best surf and turf. Hamachi tartare was simple and the fish as fresh and pure as you would expect based on the reputation of this establishement Rare is a spectacle. Bordello red, with gilded chandeliers and a spectacular view of the park. It is stunning. Chicken fritters with lemon grass were perfectly fried, lobster summer rolls in a daikon wrapper, tunna tartare with a confetti of vegetables, and rare, almost raw hamachi, and steak on toast, all perfectly cooked and seasoned. Per Se had a line out side worthy of Area on a saturday night in 1985. It was worth the wait. The dining room is lovely, tiered overlooking columbus circle with a fire place in the middle. In some respects it reminded me of Windows on the world(may it rest in piece). It is muted colors with attractive wood accents. It is an intimate feeling room that is light and airy. Even in an environment of 4,000 people, they did their best to create an warm enviornment. Guests were greeted with a popcorn machine with of freshly popped pop corn with white truffle oil. The rest of the food was served right from the kitchen, where you can see every penny of the 12Mil spent. Offerings included: Foie on Brioche, onion confit on some type of cracker, Fresh butter slathered on bread with sea salt, and a Confit of tuna practically melted onto Fugasse. Caviar on baguette, an unbelievable homemade sausage of lambs tongue and cheek, and the worlds best blt. A fondue of tete de moin and ementhaller with assorted fruits(poached pear, apple, figs and apricots) Dessert, mini ice cream sandwiches with vanilla and strawberry, chocolate brownie type of cake and ubelievable macaroons. Milk chocolate and passion fruit truffles. If last nights "peek" was any indication, New Yorkers will have an unbelievable dining opportunity available to them with the opening of these restaurants.

L'impero. Scott connant will prepare a pasta tasting menu if you request it.

As an fyi, got through after several hours. They are lovely and accommodating, and was able to get a table within the next 3 weeks.

I agree, Not worth it, and service mediocre at best.

Having just moved north of 86th street on the West side, we have a host of "non fancy", cheap and cheerful, options under $10. On my short list is: El Malecon for dominican Great Pollo alla brasa, chicarrones al pollo, and mofongo. For $4.00 at breakfast you get, eggs, mangy(mashed plantains with sauteed onions) and some great cafe con leche. Pampa for steak Sipan for peruvian Noche for mexican Indus Valley(great new indian). Good lunch deals for about $7.00

Cook any meat without a meat thermometer, easiest way to avoid overcooking

lOOKING FOR CHILD AND NON CHILD FRIENDLY RESTAURANT IN MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA

LIMPERO IN TUDOR CITY IS IN AN OUT OF THE WAY LOCATION. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL ROOM, AND THE DESSERTS ARE REALLY SUPER.

Just to followup on our recent trip. Had another great meal at Ediths, Wally's special(local fish, lobster and shrimp with garlic sauce) AND Baja Shrimp(with garlic sauce) A great table side cesar salad. The office still is the requisite zoo, spring break with young families, beach vendors selling tthings marked "made in china" Decent food, but watered down drinks(could be the 2 for 1 margaritas) We stayed at Esperanza(worth every penny) and found the food much improved over last year(although I think the main restaurant at Ventanas is better than the main restaurant at Esperanza) The palapa grill is a greatl alternative at Esperanza for those who want to have a meal at the resort, without springing for the dining room. I dont believe Charlie Trotters is slated to open for at least another month. If you do want to bring back tequila, we found the prices at the Europea market preferable to the duty free shopping Wish I was there now, as for some reason the Mexican Food in NYC is mediocre at best.

Looking for suggestions at 'cesca for dinner

Have eaten here many times on business. Food is good, but service has never been one of their strong points.

THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK AND THE LINK, WILL REPORT BACK.

Dining in delmonicos next months, looking for suggestions.

Quick note on another great dinner at L'impero this past Saturday. We were a group of four. The polenta with wild mushroom still continutes to be one of the best appetizers around. My salad was fresh and lively( good greens with a truffled vinaigrette). 3 of us had the short ribs mezzaluna, although flavorful, I felt the pasta was a little touch. The fourth the pumpkin angilotti, which was delicious. Entrees uniformlyl good, the veal, cod and bronzino all received thumbs up. The chocolate soup is a great decadent end to dinner, as was the pumpkin toffee pudding. The cheeses on the cheese plate were in excellent condition, with great condiments. With the prix fix of 47, this is one of the best dining values in Manhattan. To drink, the prosecco and campari cocktail was so good, we just kept them coming in lieu of wine. The only down note was a waiter who kept disappearing. The food came out of the kitchen in good order, but the drinks, menus, all took way too long. Otherwise, we hope to return soon.

Got a last minute table l'impero this evening, any suggestions?

Looking for good local eats in Cabo san lucas

I agree about the service, I have been twice, and yes it is good value at first glance, but how much does poor service take away from that? I think it demotes it considerably.

I ate at RM two weeks ago. The food was very good, however, the service was slow and. The skate was excellent, as was the tuna appetizer, and the snapper appetizer. Desserts were teriffic, and they have an excellent assortment of cheeses. Hopefully the service will improve Ellen

For those of you who were looking for an update. We were unable to secure a table at l'astrance and ate at angle du fauborg(taillavent's second restaurant) and had a very nice meal(great foie gras and superb service). Reasonably priced wine list as we.. We also dined at l'ambroise which was a disappointment(see separate posting) Next time, I will not consult my concierge, make my own reservations, and follow up in writing, via fedex(L'astrance does not respond to faxes). Ellen

After many attempts, I was able to secure a table at l'ambroisie this past Saturday evening. I had read with interest the reviews of this restaurant on this and other sites, as well as in many publications. I think my expectations were too high, or maybe it was just an off night. It really is a beautiful setting. Quite, with the tapestries adorning the walls. Perfect crystal, linen, silver and china. Our amuse bouchee was a fried oyster, sauce remoulade. I love oysters, in any treatment. Although perfectly cooked, the oyster was overpowered by the breading. The remoulade was perfect. On to appetizers. I had the foie gras aux epices, chetney de coings. Perfect foie, with a spiced curst that was a great balance to its creamy richness. The chutney a nice change from the usualy straigh sweet accompaniments. My friend had the lobster ravioli. It was perfectly cooked, and seasoned, but no better than the ravioli at Daniel On to entrees. My turbot rotie, echalotes, grises confites au vinaigre balsamique was a disapointment. The turbot was served almost as a chop, the sauce devoid ov flavoring ahd the accompanying vegetables overpowering. I did not finish it, nor did anyone arrive to ask how we liked our entrees. I remember dining at Arzak in San Sebastian, not finishing 3 bites of my multi course tasting menu, and Mr. Arzak running out of the kitchedn to ask what was wrong. My friend's Bar a la emince d' artichaut, beurre leger au caviar was perfect. The epitome of what a 3 star dish should be. The cheese course although in perfect condition, really didnt challenge or introduce anything new. It was also only about 12 options. We passed on dessert, having not been overyly thrilled. The petit fours were pedestrian(excepting the chocoloate, which was perfect). Miniature apple tarts and eclaires were unremarkable. Maybe I was expecting mre. In the past dinig experiences, the three star restauants and two stars, each course was memorable, and not replicable in this country. I do believe my last mel at Daniel and French Laundry were better than this, were better service. We filled our own champagne glasses at least once, and our water glasses ran dry at least once as well. Maybe I am being overly critical, but at $520 for dinner for two(including a 1996 deutz that was excellent), I feel the right to

Unforunately, I am in Paris in 3 days, I faxed a letter to find out what happened. My concierge is trying to tell me that Astrance cancelled the table(something I find hard to imagine at a restaurant at this level), as I was an unknown american

I have been planning a trip to Paris for this weekend. One month ago, I contacted the concierge at my hotel(marriott champs elyesses) and requested a table at L'astrance. I reconfirmed me request on the 7th of October. On October 8th I spoke with the concierge who was please to confirm a table for 11/8. Today(11/5) he called to tell me when he reconfirmed the table, Astrance had cancelled it. Has anyone had this experience? Ellen