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

[R Washburn]

I just got a reservation for Feb.22nd at 11:30AM.

[docsconz]

I had asked Amex to make a reservation for me anytime the week of March 7-13. When I talked to Amex yesterday they said they were having a hard time getting through and they had a lot of requests for reservations at Per Se. Not wanting to get shut out, I took matters into my own hands and called until I got through and then reserved for Tuesday March 9 at 7:30 PM. I actually got a call from Per Se this morning informing me that American Express was placing a reservation in my name this morning for the exact same slot! I thanked them for calling, but said, no I wouldn't need the second reservation at that time. Had they made the reservation for another slot, I might have taken them both!

[Mulcahy]

5:45 pm on Friday April 2.

Woo hoo!

Woo hoo!

They were exceedingly helpful. Also, once in my dialing frenzy I accidentally dialed 9336 which connects you to the kitchen. They were also very nice.

Woo hoo!

[docsconz]

See how long it takes before they change this number

[bilrus]

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?

According to the recording when you are on hold for the reservation line they are offering a five course menu or a nine course tasting menu - either vegetarian or the "signature" tasting menu.

Elsewhere on this thread (I think) I read that it was $135 for the nine course menu.

All the same as French Laundry if I remember correctly.

[juuceman]

i'm thinking that the pricing mentioned above is being extrapolated from the french laundry website.. seeing as how http://www.perseny.com is not functioning as yet, and the recording is devoid of any information regarding price, i'd be interested in knowing if anyone actually asked what the pricing is like..

me, i figure it's cheaper than flying out to cali for dinner at french laundry..

[bilrus]

i'd be interested in knowing if anyone actually asked what the pricing is like..

I guess I would be interested in that too, considering it never entered my mind when I made my reservation. Hopefully not everyone on here is as big a *sucker* as I am.

[BJL]

I called twice just now, got right through and had to jump on another call, called back and was able to get through again. Plenty of tables available.

[Mulcahy]

From the New York Times article about the new Time Warner center:

"The restaurant will have prix fixe tasting menus at $125, $135 and $150. It will be open for lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and for dinner nightly."

[Achai]

Redialed all afternoon.

Just got through!

03/06 11:30pm for lunch.

Quite early but we won't complain.

[LJC]

Just got two for two:

Fri 4/2 5:30pm

Fri 3/26 10:30pm

[Stone]

I'm available if anyone needs a date.

[Schneier]

How far in advance are they taking reservations?

Bruce

[jogoode]

How far in advance are they taking reservations?

Bruce

2 MONTHS

[Fat Guy]

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?

Basic Per Se facts (from the restaurant's publicist):

LOCATION

Ten Columbus Circle

Time Warner Center Fourth Floor

New York, New York 10019

(212) 823 9335

CHEF/OWNER

Thomas Keller

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Eric Lilavois

DEVELOPER

Ken Himmel, Related Urban Development

DESIGNER

Tihany Design, New York, NY

KITCHEN DESIGNER

Tim Harrison, Harrison/Koellner, San Francisco

CHEF DE CUISINE

Jonathan Benno

PASTRY CHEF

Sébastien Rouxel

WINE DIRECTOR

Paul Roberts

DIRECTOR OF PRIVATE DINING AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Célia Laurent

CUISINE

Contemporary American cuisine with French influences

Lunch and dinner:

$150 Chef's Tasting Menu

$125 Five course Prix Fixe Menu with choices

$135 Nine course Tasting of Vegetables

HOURS

Dinner: Sunday-Wednesday 5:30-10:00pm,

Thursday-Saturday 5:30-10:30pm

Lunch: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11:30-1:30

INTERIOR

Striking views of Columbus Circle and Central Park. Dining room is contemporary and elegant, with stained woods, stone and muted tones. Handcrafted detailing and materials throughout.

CAPACITY

64 seats in the dining room

PRIVATE DINING

WEST: 40 seat private dining room; 20 seat private dining room (combined up to 60 seats)

EAST: Intimate private dining room seats up to 10

[docsconz]

Any eGulleteers amongst that bunch?

[Fat Guy]

One lurker that I know of; no members as far as I know.

[robert40]

Ok,Ok, I know what everybody is thinking out there,How does this guy find all this Sh_t.

I just found on e-bay Thomas Kellers Kitchen stove for sale.

Asking price 30,000.

I guess the remodeling of the French Laundry is starting with a new stove.

RR

Edited February 4, 2004 by robert40 (log)

[rosie11211]

i have a reservation on april 1 at 10:30 pm!! anyway, the first to go has to post a detailed account!

[Chazzy]

Don't know if it's been mentioned, but the Per Se website is up now and serves as a site for all the Keller restaurants.

[BigboyDan]

Think he's going back to FL?

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/a...op_chef_returns

http://www.observer.com/pages/observer2.asp

http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/article...-586219,00.html

Noooo.

Edited February 16, 2004 by BigboyDan (log)

[slkinsey]

Now that Per Se is up and running, please direct your discussion and reviews to this thread.