Daniel Boulud's DBGB on Bowery

[Holly Moore]

David Segal's article in the Business Section of today's Times gives fascinating insight into the coming together of Daniel Boulud's DBGB - A great Sunday morning read.

Even better, the illustration of the floor plan for the restaurant which evidently "sets Manhattan restaurant blogs abuzz." There is a enough deal to sense the flow of the kitchen and anticipate the potential problems. I'm putting my money on crashes between servers heading for the dish area and line cooks rushing to the walk-in.

[weinoo]

What really got my attention was this line:

Homemade sausages and hamburgers will be the centerpiece at DBGB, and the average bill for a three-course meal will come to about $32

So really, an average 3-course meal for $32. When some of the dishes being worked on are things like:

First up is a small dish of escargot and tomatoes topped with a puff pastry...The lamb ribs confit with roasted lamb leg and spring beans? “Maybe a little more herbs in it,” he suggests. The Maryland lump crab cake with a curry sauce and pickled radish? “More crab, less garnish.” The passion fruit crepe with mango slices? “We’re still not there.”

$32? For 3 courses. When can I reserve?

[mjc]

Eater has a copy of the menu here.

Looks like you could put 3 courses together in that price range, whether that would be a meal or not is hard to tell.

Edited May 18, 2009 by mjc (log)

[weinoo]

Great looking menu and it sure looks like it can be done, staying away from some of the more expensive mains.

A burger, fries and a "chop chop" salad will only set you back $25. That's 3 courses right there.

[Sneakeater]

I call bullshit on fries as a separate course.

[Chris Amirault]

Lamb ribs confit: that sounds just about right.

[weinoo]

I call bullshit on fries as a separate course.

←

Totally agree. So $25 for two courses and add a small ice cream -

right under the limit.

Lamb ribs confit: that sounds just about right.

←

I am so looking forward to this stuff.

So, does it become pain in the ass central right away, or will it

be manageable?

[tsquare]

I found the article a great read and made me think the man is a true professional, and perhaps a nice guy.

[Pan]

This is exciting to me. At those prices, I surely plan on checking the place out!

[Sneakeater]

So, does it become pain in the ass central right away, or will it

be manageable?

←

There is NO FUCKING WAY this will be manageable.

Maybe in half a year or more -- but not until then.

[johnnyd]

according to the map in the article, why is the cave so far away from the bar? Hey, I'm a novice but it seems weird

[tsquare]

I'm so out of it I forgot to look at the plan...

[weinoo]

Attended a pre-opening benfefit for City Meals-on-Wheels tonight, and I'll just say if the food is/stays this good, we are all in for a great new restaurant on the Bowery.

Very nice, minimalist space - mark it down, everyone will complain about how noisy it is. But I'll be going for the food. And because I can walk there!

[johnder]

The food highlights tonight were

Oysters Parisienne

Tete de Porc

Baba au Rhum

and the killer Matzo ball soup. I am not sure how many chickens gave their lives to my small 3 oz taste, but I can tell you it was many. It was by far the richest, most flavorful broths I have tested in recent memory.

The space is loud, but then again it was pretty packed to capacity today.

I know I will be going there for burgers and a beer as it is 3 blocks from work.

They have 24 taps too!

[weinoo]

It appears to me that 2 people will be able to walk into the cafe area, have a couple of beers and burgers, maybe share a dessert, and get out for under $50.

It also appears to me that 2 people will be able to spend $200 just as easily.

[Sneakeater]

Of course, the two people would have to get in first.

[weinoo]

Of course, the two people would have to get in first.

←

They will be taking reservations on open table, and the cafe/bar area looked pretty roomy. They also plan on being open all day, every day except Monday, when they open at 5 PM.

[Sneakeater]

All day like 24 hours? Like after 1 AM? Like, HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!

[BryanZ]

The Feedbag reports that it'll turn into something like a late-night industry hangout. If so, that's cool I guess.

On a more salient level, if it stays open until, like 2 am, my life will be markedly improved.

[Sneakeater]

As will many's.

[weinoo]

According to the card I picked up last night, they'll be open till midnight Monday - Thursday, till 1 AM Friday and Saturday, and till 11 PM Sunday.

I did post all day, meaning it doesn't appear as if they'll be closing between day and night shifts.

[oakapple]

According to the card I picked up last night, they'll be open till midnight Monday - Thursday, till 1 AM Friday and Saturday, and till 11 PM Sunday.

←

Midnight would be an odd closing time that purportedly is going to become a chefs' hang-out. Most of the places with that reputation are open until at least 1 or 2 a.m., if not later.

[weinoo]

According to the card I picked up last night, they'll be open till midnight Monday - Thursday, till 1 AM Friday and Saturday, and till 11 PM Sunday.

←

Midnight would be an odd closing time that purportedly is going to become a chefs' hang-out. Most of the places with that reputation are open until at least 1 or 2 a.m., if not later.

←

Sure it would be an odd time. I just reported what's on the card that was given out. Who purported that it would become a late night chef's hang out...eater? A chef that never hangs out late? Bloggers hoping to have a new place to see their favorite chefs late?

[oakapple]

Who purported that it would become a late night chef's hang out...eater?

←

It was the Feedbag. I realize they don't fact-check, but the one thing they do is hang out with a lot of industry folks, so it's not a totally ridiculous statement.

[weinoo]

Who purported that it would become a late night chef's hang out...eater?

←

It was the Feedbag. I realize they don't fact-check, but the one thing they do is hang out with a lot of industry folks, so it's not a totally ridiculous statement.

←

It's funny that a couple of days earlier, Feedbag can be quoted saying:

Metromix has a good photo roundup of last night’s mega-tasting at Taste of the Nation. I, sadly, was busy leading a bacon tasting at Jimmy’s No. 43, and missed the giant walkaround, but you know what? I’m kind of over these events.

What is it Feedbag wants, really?