Mark Sommelier

Taberna del Alabardero has a gorgeous private room of this size. Very old world, fine service and food.

Cocoa replaced Pan Asian Noodles, I was surprised to see. The lunch menu looked OK, nothing too outrageous. Prices are moderate. No mention of club. There's a Chinese restaurant underneath.

Hey Tricia! Welcome to the gullet.

Well, the trailers for the new episodes were on tonight and the lawsuit and acrimony took top billing. Big surprise.

Definitely make time for a few drinks at Kahunaville in the TI. The bartenders are all expertly trained in "flair bartending" and make Tom Cruise's movie Cocktail look like kindergarten. The Pu-Pu platter ain't bad, either. Take a look at: http://www.kahunaville.com Last visit, we had an astonishingly good meal at Buccaneer's Bay, also in the TI. Warm, super-attentive service. The food was marvelous. An old favorite from years ago, Center Stage at the Union Plaza, on the other hand, was some of the most dreadful food, service and ambience I have ever been subjected to anywhere. Avoid at all costs.

His name is pronounced something like "kay hull." When I was introduced to him, he said his name is "Ka-hal".

Pizza Marqherita with Pancetta. yummmmmmmmm

Must have been a Monday night. That was my assistant.

Give me Montrachet or give me death! ! (striking Patrick Henry pose)

Good point, Josh, but you get my drift.

The doughnuts cost $1.20. 2 cost $2.40. With tax = $2.55. From a 20 this means a ten, a five and 2 ones plus some change. How hard is that? Ray Kroc made a huge fortune cashing 20's.

YOu have to know how to pronounce the chef's name before you go there.

I'm sending in The Doughnut Holes to come waving $20 bills and expecting change I was wondering about those doughnut holes. Where do they go? Rocks, could you ask your friend Ann what they do with the holes ??? I have a big penny jar, I could pay exact change for them!

Froggy, you scare me. Yes, we have cheese at Citronelle. French cheese. Rocks, you scare me too, but that's a different matter.

I'd be curious to hear the responses. What kind of work dinner are you talking about? It isn't really quiet in the kitchen. Plan on 10 courses with wines and P.S. bring alot of money.

Chris, Nice report. Interesting that you devoted 2 sentences to the Mumm-Allied Domecq connection. 2 good reasons to look for recoltant-manipulant Champages, instead.

I believe Antonelli is the guy who owns the building. He is a large landowner downtown.

Years ago the Balducci name actually meant something to New Yorkers. The name was purchased, and to apply it to a chain of corporate stores seems a little disingenuous to me.

Craig, I agree with your understanding on this one.

That would be mean and cruel. Just your style.

Here is a perfect case where eGulleters can band together to help a small business and save Ann some angst. I suggest that everyone save their dollar bills all week in a special place and then run, jog, cab, drive or metro over to the bakery on Saturday around doughnut time to help replenish the cash drawer with singles and eat the awesome doughnuts, as well. We could call it "Dollars for Doughnuts"! Whaddya say?

How quickly do you wear them out? Every few months. The pins that hold them together get loose. Either on the boot or on the screw. I've worn out several LaGuioles. The screw breaks off. They're pretty, but not practical for opening lots of bottles.

As someone who opens lots of bottles every night, I am a confirmed user of the 2 step waiter's corkscrew. A short boot for leverage, the longer boot then extracts the cork. The wine shop where I buy them has the basic black model and a selection of cool, heavier bodied models as well in granite, stainless steel, brass, etc.

Here's the easy way to remember how to spell this grape's name: Gewurz is German for "spice" Traminer is an indigenous German grape. Tape them together and: voila! Gewurztraminer

Carolyn, Beware! Statistics show that 2.6 out of 10 people served gewurztraminer will HATE it.