Thomas Keller's "Per Se" Pre-Opening Discussion

[Schneier]

When does the dining room open?

[Fat Guy]

Feb 16

[bilrus]

I assume it is the same 60 day in advance (with the 30 minute window for getting through) as at TFL?

[robert40]

My wife, Son, and I have been trying for close to three hours now, and for like a ten minute time frame a recording said the line was out of service and its been busy for the rest.

I've ran two cell phones dead and am about to drop over myself but I cant quit now.

RR

[juuceman]

so i'm assuming this one won't be on opentable anytime soon..

[ellenesk]

As an fyi, got through after several hours. They are lovely and accommodating, and was able to get a table within the next 3 weeks.

[juuceman]

just got through.. maybe half an hour on redial??

7:30 on a thursday, about six weeks out.. nice people..

[robert40]

Four and half bitchen hours of beep,beep beep, finely paid off.

Got one for early March!!

Poor women must have thought I was crazy as I told her I'll take any day,week,month or century.

I'll have a long report and photos!

RR

[Rake Yohn]

Just got through myself - 10:00PM in Mid March - Normally I wouldn't want such a late dinner, but for some things you have to make exceptions....

[Liz Johnson]

I was able to get 7:30 p.m. by going on a Monday.

[docsconz]

I got 7:30PM in March on a Tuesday evening. It took awhile to get through. I'm excited.

[Fat Guy]

After spending most of the day thinking I wouldn't bother, I was inspired by these reports and decided I'd dial once and, if I didn't get through, I'd wait a couple of months to try again. I got through on the first try, the recorded voice referred me to a Web site that doesn't seem to exist (www.perseny.com), and a very nice lady answered. I asked for any time after March 10 and she offered March 11. So, that was easy.

I fully expected them to ask for a credit card guarantee, but they didn't. They just asked for a phone number and asked that I call 2 days beforehand to confirm (they give you a special number for this). She also said they request that men wear jackets and that they don't allow jeans, tee-shirts, or tennis shoes.

Looking forward to all your meal reports.

[docsconz]

They must have caller ID

[Fat Guy]

Oh, I forgot to mention, I called on the Bat Phone.

[adegiulio]

7:30 on March 7...OH BOY OH BOY!!

Only took me about 10 minutes to get through and 5 minutes on hold. As everyone else said, they were extremely polite and helpful on the phone.

Well, I hope those of you going early post your impressions...

Ant

[lizard]

Called about an hour ago, and they had all sorts of availability--esp. at lunch. I asked for Saturday Lunch at 12:00, and she gave me a 12:15 on Saturday the 21st. I asked "of March?" and she replied, "No, THIS month."

It was just too easy...

..Now I hafta go buy plane tickets.

[jogoode]

call now, everyone! you'll get through in a second. i reserved a table for lunch, for 2, on Feb 21st. I'm auctioning it off to a nice eGullet couple looking for a romantic lunch, at 11:30 am. My fee will be $40, or you can just tell us about your meal after you go . PM me if you want this reservation...

[tunabelly]

Oh, I forgot to mention, I called on the Bat Phone.

Don't you mean, that "Fat Phone"?

Sorry, couldn't resist. :)

[Harry Covére]

dinner for 4, late night monday, march 1

[jogoode]

Most primetime restaurants that serve lunch only serve it on weekdays, right? So why does Per Se only serve lunch F-Su?

[Creeper]

call now, everyone! you'll get through in a second. i reserved a table for lunch, for 2, on Feb 21st. I'm auctioning it off to a nice eGullet couple looking for a romantic lunch, at 11:30 am. My fee will be $40, or you can just tell us about your meal after you go . PM me if you want this reservation...

You're kidding, right?

[jogoode]

call now, everyone! you'll get through in a second. i reserved a table for lunch, for 2, on Feb 21st. I'm auctioning it off to a nice eGullet couple looking for a romantic lunch, at 11:30 am. My fee will be $40, or you can just tell us about your meal after you go . PM me if you want this reservation...

You're kidding, right?

I'm sorry. My message is not clear. I do have a reservation that I am offering anyone who would like it. Feb 21, Saturday, 11:30 am, a very early lunch. PM me if you want it.

[jfdulac]

Anybody know how far ahead they're booking right now? Planning a visit to NYC at the end of April and wouldn't mind stopping by for lunch on, say, Saturday, May 1.

The last meal we had at French Laundry, for dinner in May, was spectacular on every front. I still have hallucinations about some of those dishes.

In my best Homer Simpson voice: "Mmmmm, sauteed filet of Gold Coast pompano amandine with haricots verts, riso, preserved lemon zest and an orange marmalade reduction."

"Mmmmmm, Keller's 'Caesar salad' of sweet buttter poached Maine lobster with roasted hearts of Romaine lettuce, foncit of sweet garlic, parmesean crutons and bottarga emulsion."

"Mmmmmm, Elysian Fields Farm selle d'aneau roti entier with braised Jacobsen's

Farm black kale, confit of yukon gold potatoes and spring garlic duxelles."

Can't wait for them to reopen!

Classic moment, on our way out of the restaurant: We were wandering through the courtyard, looking through the windows into the kitchen, when we noticed a guy hand-drying the Riedel stems - and inspecting each of them below a light. One of our friends says: "Is that Thomas Keller?!??" Indeed, it was. What a freak of a perfectionist. No wonder that place hits such high marks.

[jogoode]

Anybody know how far ahead they're booking right now?

2 months

[kurl]

Sorry for the somewhat out-of-topicness, but what price scale are we looking at here for dinner? $150 p/p before drinks? How much would a tasing menu be?