The Expanding Bouley Empire

[ellenost]

What happened at Danube is that its original chef, Mario Lohniger, left several years ago.  He was never replaced by anyone of equal stature, but only by nonentities usually from within the Bouley organization.  The restaurant never recovered its luster.

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Mario was superb! Do you know whether he went back to Austria or if he's still in the US?

[prasantrin]

Mario was superb!  Do you know whether he went back to Austria or if he's still in the US?

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He's in Germany. Google him and you'll find the information (and one of the most annoying websites ever).

[charlestonfoodie]

Shot David Bouley atr Bouley Test Kitchen last November! Pretty surreal experience to say the least.

A few more photos ::

http://letstalknewyork.smugmug.com/gallery...331148083_dz3YW

[BryanZ]

So does anyone know if the new Bouley did, in fact, open this past weekend? Looking for updates if anyone peeked in or, even better, went.

[docsconz]

So does anyone know if the new Bouley did, in fact, open this past weekend?  Looking for updates if anyone peeked in or, even better, went.

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All indications I have seen indicate late this week or early next.

[BryanZ]

So what about the people who made reservations to dine in the new Bouley? Have they been calling them up? I would imagine so. I'm supposed to go on Sunday but remain VERY skeptical given the Secession disaster.

[BryanZ]

Just got a call from Bouley trying to confirm my reso for Sunday. They will not be opening this weekend. Considering they claimed they'd be in the new space by this time, it's all very frustrating.

[oakapple]

Just got a call from Bouley trying to confirm my reso for Sunday. They will not be opening this weekend. Considering they claimed they'd be in the new space by this time, it's all very frustrating.

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Did you cancel? I certainly would have.

[BryanZ]

Yes, and I want to reschedule, but this whole thing is kind of annoying. I certainly don't fault them for not being able to open on time in itself, but when I called to make the reservation they assured me the new restaurant would be open. I'm flexible with my dining plans, but what if this was a special night or I was only in town for the weekend. Not only do I not get to visit Bouley but it's harder to get another reservation at a top restaurant with such short notice.

Overpromising and underdelivering is one surefire process for generating consumer myopia. I'm sure there are people out there more inconvenienced by this than I am.

[PaulaJK]

Does anyone know whether the new location is operational yet?

[oakapple]

According to ZagatBuzz, the new Bouley finally opens tomorrow, but "with a limited menu, with the full version to be up and running by the end of the month." Based on Secession's rocky start, I wouldn't rush in.

[sickchangeup]

Well, I'm going in three weeks on a Saturday. After re-reading the old Bouley thread, I'm gonna show up ready for the worst possible service ever. And potentially bad, potentially great food. Should be fun!

Anyone got a reservation for before the 6th?