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sammy

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Everything posted by sammy

  1. I wonder if Todd English has ever made anything from his cookbook. (At least not in a while)
  2. An amusing piece on Cafe Gray's false starts since February in today's NY Post.
  3. sammy

    Bouley

    Maybe that is an indication that we should be getting on Bruni's editor and not Bruni.
  4. sammy

    Bouley

    Just to play Devil's advocate for a moment... isn't this somewhat inevitable? I mean, Bruni was saying that Babbo was designed for three stars and is achieving very near the pinnacle of what it is to be a three-star restaurant. Bouley, on the other hand, was designed for four stars and is substantially underachieving in some key areas (not too many people seem to be disputing that Bouley has fallen off the four star mark). This equals mostly praise of Babbo and mostly criticism of Bouley. Exactly.
  5. The easiest way to see it is at NYTIMES.com. I think last week's review came out arond 9:00 PM.
  6. You should try Usingers veal knackwurst.
  7. But is the food better because of the ambiance as has been suggested or could it stand up to the true test - would it taste just as good if served in a trailer park? If I was served a Luger's steak, creamed spinach and German potatoes in Le Bernardin's dining room, I wouldn't consider the meal to be 4 star, if that is what you are asking.
  8. But only one participant has chimed in with any suggestions of restaurants he thought were serving 4 star food but without a 4 star rating and they included a steakhouse and a bistro which I do not believe should ever garner 4 stars, even for the food.
  9. Which NYC restaurants do YOU think are serving 4 star food without a 4 star rating?
  10. Back to my question: Isn't this discussion irrelevant if there aren't any 3 star restaurants actually serving 4 star food?
  11. 1. Maybe for another thread but what NYC restaurants, if any, do you believe strive to serve 4 star food but don't attempt to include the other necessary 4 star components (ambiance, wine, etc.)? 2. What NYC restaurants do you believe are serving 4 star food but do not have 4 star ratings? I'd put WD-50 in #1. My view is only consistency across the menu is holding them back. I don't think there are any under #2.
  12. Sam, I couldn't agree more. As for the ingredient issue, I think it would be fair to say that for the cuisine Jean-George serves, the quality of the lamb is almost certainly of a higher quality than the lamb used to make Mario's famous mint love letters. And I love the mint love letters. Also, any lamb dish served at Jean-George almost certainly requires a higher level of cooking expertise and execution than Mario's famous lamb chops. Agreed that Babbo isn't striving for 4 stars and probably shouldn't. I still find it hard to believe that anyone would consider Jean-George to not be "better" than Babbo. I guess we'll agree to disagree.
  13. Viewing The Godfather is a totally experience than viewing Gigli, like night and day. "Better" isn't applicable here. How silly does that sound.
  14. I am in no way attempting to denigrate Babbo. It is a terrific restaurant with usually excellent food and sometimes excellent service. It does what Batali wants it to do. But it is objectively not as good as Jean George so it has fewer stars. Which restaurant do you believe has higher quality ingredients? Which restaurant consistently offers better service? Which restaurant is in a nicer setting? Yes, I believe Jean-George has decor and service intrinsically "better" than Babbo. Ever feel rushed at Babbo? Cramped at Babbo? At Jean-George? To me, the answers to these questions are objective, not subjective and not in any way arbitrary. Probably a discussion for another thread at another time.
  15. On what basis is Jean-George not a "better" restaurant than Babbo? I could understand you saying that you enjoy a Babbo type meal more than a Jean-George type meal but I don't see how you can say that Jean-George isn't a better restaurant than Babbo.
  16. East Coast Grill should not be missed. Sit at the bar, have a cocktail made with fresh squeezed juices, a trayful of oysters, and the grilled fish of the day. They also have a great beer selection.
  17. sammy

    Landmarc

    it's just that i love salad, like the idea of serving it with things like steak, and i like the restaurant. but it baffles me! have their people call me. i'll sort them all out. Isn't salad for tourists?
  18. Answer: YES! The PTO had my daughter's school is now in the midst of a program to help educate parents about nutrition. Many parents just don't read the fine print on ingredients and those that do, do not necessarily recognize what is good and what is not good. As an example, there are several juices that proclaim to be "organic" or "all natural" with no artificial ingredients. Well, different sugars can be "organic" and "all natural" and loaded with empty calories. Same for allegedly healthy cereal bars that may have upwards of 500 calories in one bar. The kid may as well have a few twinkies. Other favorites which are on the "bad list" are those dipping lunchables that have a ton of fat, sugar and sometimes the dreadfed trans-fats. Mind you this is in a school district with a high percentage of well to do and highly educated parents.
  19. I picked up a package of ground annato seed (beautiful color) and was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what to do with it. Searching on the internet, all I come up with is how to make annato seed oil with it. Any other uses?
  20. Owen, good luck with your quest, although a guy with your talents shouldn't have too much of a problem! I'm pretty sure you could line up a nice "filly" at the track Saturday afternoon for an evening dinner.
  21. Well, the review hit the Times and this place is now packed. Went Friday night and there was a 30 minute wait at 8:00 PM. We asked if we could sit at the large communal table where another six were already seated. Had a quick salad and plate of cheese before catching a movie around the corner. We thoroughly enjoy Fat Cat. The pizzas and salads are terrific with a usually good selection of cheeses. The best part though are the guys that run the place from Fountain Head wines. They know there wines and offer an eclectic selection. In designing the space and determining the kind of food they wanted to serve, they simply wanted to open a restaurant that they themselves would like to hang out at. In my view they've accomplished it. Also, they have a great beer list that changes every few weeks. They also bring in unfermented beer from England and ferment it themselves in the basement. It has no preservatives and supposedly only lasts 5 or 6 days. I had a glass a few weeks ago and it was delicious.
  22. Just remember to get to the track early if you want to get a good table. On Sunday's for give-away day, some people sleep out the night before. Forget Travers Weekend, it is a total zoo with upwards of twice as many people as any other weekend. Plan on getting there no later than 9:00 am for a table. And I would second either Springwater Bistro or Chez Sophie for dinner. Also worthwhile is to go to Sargo's at Saratoga National Golf Course for a drink on the patio before dinner. Good drinks in a beautiful setting overlooking the 18th hole. I've only had appetizers (which were very good) but I hear the food there is also top notch. If you like golf, the Saratoga National Golf Course is a GREAT course. Nothing better than getting one of the early tee times, having a few Bloody Mary's, and still making the first race at the track. I'm going up with a group of 12 opening weekend (July 29-Aug 1). We typically sit in the grandstand Thursday and Friday and picnic on Saturday with stuff picked up from the Putnam Market.
  23. sammy

    NYC wine merchants

    Mt. Carmel Wines on 187th Street and Arthur Avenue has the best selection of Italian wines in NYC. Grab a sandwich at Mike's Deli after you buy a few cases and you have a very enjoyable day.
  24. Rickster, I think Penang Grill is part of the ever-growing Ching's Table empire which includes Sushi 25 also in New Canaan, Hunan Cafe in Wilton, Wild Ginger in Ridgefield. I've never been to Penang Grill but Ching's Table in New Canaan is one of our favorites.
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