La Niña

Rachel, all of those ingredients are readily available in the Indian markets around town - I know there are several in NJ, too.

Are we speaking generically here or with regard to a specific Johnson? And they wonder why I love you

Okay - Charles and Steve both liked the Sauvignon Blanc I brought? I think I could die happy tonight... Cabby, I wish you *had* come as an unnanounced participant... More on my impressions of the food later. I'm cooking dinner!!! (yes, it is possible to be hungry again after last night...)

Yes, Lupa. I can't stop going - the food it really, really, really good. The service is lovely. I really like the wine list (and the sommelier service is good, too). And it's quite reasonably priced for what it is. It's currentlyone of my favorite restaurants. Don't miss the pork shin with rose glaze. Outstanding dish. And do have gnocchi or ravioli of some kind. Also, be sure to try some of their amari - if you're nice to the wine captain, he may even bring out some of the illegal ones that aren't listed...

Kim, congratulations on being the first person to inject negativity and vitriol into an otherwise grateful and joyous thread. How about keeping those sentiments to yourself, or PM'ing them instead?

We had a grand time. The food was very, very good, the company fun, and the room lovely. Thank you very much, Suvir.

I was at the Lynch Bages dinner that Jaybee described - I thought it was lovely. The food ranged from good to excellent, the wines were interesting, and the presence of the vintner was quite special. I thought the service was pretty haphazard and not particularly professional, but then again, it was a service for the whole room simultaneously, and I've never been there on a regular night. I'd like to go back for more promotional dinners, and on normal nights too, to see how they do. I'm not one to dismiss a place after one good visit, even if it did have some problems. Note: every Friday in December from 6-7 pm they're having Armagnac tastings at the bar there for $15 for the whole tasting - and in some cases the producers will be present. D'Artagnan has a website and I think the details are on there.

Tommy, with all due respect: you know that I find Suzanne's style very hard to take, but in this case, she made no snide remark. And I might point out that you yourself make snide remarks all the time (not that I don't). And you can be a real pain in the ass yourself, as can I, and plenty of others. Here's a radical idea - how about just try to set the scene for a pleasant evening. I dunno, uh, go have a drink or something.

There's an Italian restaurant I really like called La Locanda dei Vini on 9th Ave. & 50th St. Decent wine list, good food, lovely service, and you shouldn't have a problem getting in as long as you're not doing pre-theatre. Your budget is about right for this place. It's not fancy, and not very casual either. Comfortable, nice to sit for a while.

Stephanie, it's much easier to make a suggestion if we have more information. What's your budget? How close to the hotel neighborhood do you want to stay? What kinds of cuisines do you like? What kind of wine list do you look for? Do you prefer a high end experience or not? How much time do you have to devote to dinner, and which night do you want to go? Reservations may be an issue. Etc., etc.

SG, do you recall which producer it was, of the bottles of '97 Brunello you drank? And what was the charge for them? I wonder why they're choosing to open these now instead of holding them the appropriate length of time until they're ready. Seems to me if they bought these '97 Brunellos, if they hold them they will get a lot more money out of the bottles in some years...

Very traditional, at Mom's: turkey with stuffing sweet potato casserole cranberry orange relish salad some green vegetable, probably green beans gravy We're bringing wine and dessert - a pear tatin (thank you, Toby!)

He likes "The Beau." But "Mr. Big" is also acceptable, since he looks like Chris Noth (Suvir couldn't stop saying so...and he's not the only one...)

See you all this evening at 7pm: Nina & Beau Nina's friend Adam BklynEats - confirmed StefanyB - confirmed Toby - confirmed Rory & Daniel - confirmed 1 anonymous They don't normally take reservations, but I've spoken to them, and the owner told me she'd set a table for 9 and save it for us, so....it's under "Nina." Remember - BYO (I'm bringing beer).