Pan

That's what I do. The thing is, the smell isn't quite so bad when you know you may like the taste, if you know what I mean.

This letter to the Editor of the New York Times states that coffee shops in the Chock Full O'Nuts chain displayed a sign stating that "Tipping Is Not Permitted." Can anyone confirm that? Any other sit-down eatery in New York you can remember with such a policy?

The first thought that came to my mind: Garlic frying in olive oil. Second thought: The delicious smell in an Indian store that sells many different kinds of spices. Food smells I don't like: The stinky tofu dish I've smelled in Spicy & Tasty really smells like ass (sort of like a fart, actually)! I think I'll try it eventually (I've had fermented tofu as an ingredient, albeit not nearly an overwhelming one, in dishes I liked), but it'll be hard. Durian smells terrible but really good ones taste good. I suppose belacan (shrimp sauce) can stink, but I'm used to it and enjoy it as long as it's not used in excessive amounts like my landlady in Malaysia used to do.

Thanks. Great question, great answer. Followup question, if you'd like to take it on: What restaurants in New York today would you consider 4-star restaurants?

Have you spent time in Italy? I wonder if you've ever been to a place like the fabulous seafood restaurant I went to near Tarquinia Scalo. Sorry, Fat Guy, but I disagree with this viewpoint. Fantastic ingredients, delicious food, wonderful service, beautiful view, classy rustic terrace, white tablecloths. What's not "three-star" about that? Nothing, as far as I'm concerned. It was one of the best meals I've ever had.

Who's underrating Totonno's?

I think I can say with a fair degree of assurance that none of the dishes I had at the Li Family Restaurant in Beijing resembled anything in the picture.

I hope your prediction proves accurate, especially as it doesn't seem he has much more to say about the place.

Thanks a lot for sharing those recommendations, and enjoy your Greek coffee shops!

Here is Bruni's latest "Diner's Journal" entry, which SobaAddict also linked here (thanks for the link, Stan). Any guesses as to the star rating represented by the mini-review? One or no stars would be my question.

Must be something the traders brought back from Malacca.

Somehow, I figure you weren't flying Economy Class. But if you want to discuss airline food, there's already a fairly long thread that you can contribute to.

Followup question: I have yet to go to "V" Steakhouse, but Bruni panned their "deconstructed" onion soup. Steven Shaw and some other eGulleteers like it. Have you had it, and if so, what did you think of it? Feel free to comment on "deconstructed" dishes in general, if you like.

What a cute headline for the Post, too: "CIAO HOUNDS' DELIGHT" Sounds like a worthwhile place to check out. Thanks, Oakapple.

Thanks for your reply, Todd. I hope they still serve Charshu Ramen.

Are you basing that in significant part on your personal appraisal of their food and wine service?

Mimi, if you feel like mentioning any of your favorite neighborhood or ethnic restaurants, I and no doubt other eGulleteers would be very interested. But if they're too small to handle more patrons, I'm sure we'd all understand if you'd rather not name names.

Have a look at my post on a delicious meal at Yemen Cafe & Restaurant on Atlantic Avenue.

I had a delicious dinner at this place on Atlantic Av. yesterday (Wednesday) night. I ordered an "Appetizer" of "Liver served with Bread," ($5) which was incredibly flavorful but would have made a sizable dinner by itself, especially with the accompaniment of a cup of soothing lamb soup on the house. Included in the dish were fried tomatoes, onions, and a spice mixture. Not realizing that the "appetizer" would be so big, I also ordered Loubyia with Chicken ($13). It may not have been as much of a knockout as the liver plate, but it was a hearty and very pleasant stew of chicken with okra, carrot slices, potato, onions, and of course loubyia, a kind of gourd. Also included was plenty of turmeric and some cumin and such. I didn't realize it, but they also have a house hot sauce that I'll try next time. I drank some Special Yemen Tea ($1), which is self-service and tastes like a pomander! Tea with sugar, plenty of cloves, cinammon, and such. I sampled both of the dishes I ordered but finished neither, took the leftovers home, and have by now finished them. The atmosphere in the cafe is very informal and service is friendly but relaxed and a bit slow-paced. The food is halal. I hadn't been to Yemen Cafe for a couple of years, but I plan on returning soon. 176 Atlantic Av. (between Court and Clinton Sts.) Tel. (718) 834-9533

Todd, thanks for the report. Which ramen soups did you have (please consult their menu at menupages.com if you don't remember their names)? And how was the wait to get in, when you showed up (around what time)?

I've been to Grimaldi's only once so far, but it sure was great! Go near opening time and get a sausage slice. Yum, fennel seeds! Lombardi's? We agree there. Grand Sichuan St. Marks? I'm sure glad it's there, but though the Sichuan-style dishes I've had so far are excellent, I have yet to be convinced about the Hunan offerings. Some have been good, others have been salty to the nth degree. But sure, it should be fuller. It may be that many East Villagers are like me and are mostly getting delivery from that location rather than eating in. Veselka has been overrated for years; so was Kiev. Most any Chinese restaurant on the Upper West Side is overrated, in the sense that people are eating there in large numbers. Yeah Shanghai is probably underrated, in the sense that it's never packed though Joe's Shanghai Pell St. and New Green Bo often are. Italy as overrated? Are you trolling?

Nope. But I did have a meal at UP. It doesn't sound like you think a shoddy concept of cuisine is what has brought him to this low ebb either, though.

Petrosino also tops out at $22 for entrees: Grilled Niman Ranch Organic Pork Loin W/ Cactus Pear Chutney & Leeks as a secondo piatto from its dinner menu on menupages.com. And the room looks pretty fancy to me, tablecloths or not. I don't eat tablecloths and don't think they're necessary for 2 stars, though I know my opinion on this is unpopular on eGullet.

I think I'd have to choose Malaysia, because I love Malaysian food so much! Or maybe Thailand. Italy would be close behind and would benefit more from the unlimited budget. I'd rather travel around any of the above countries and sample great food from various regions than be stuck in any one place.