Extravigator - Dining Out

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

Dex — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:33:10 -0400

OK, let's all take a deep breath. I think jewel fiend finally gets the message. Now where were we? Breakfast in New York anyone?

A few more of my favorites for meeting up with friends:

Clinton St. Baking Company : 4 Clinton Street (has the world's best pancakes!)
Brown Café : 61 Hester Street
Penelope : 159 Lexington Ave (good option not to far from midtown)

I'll also cast a vote for Balthazar. Though I don't find myself there often.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

The Rover — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:40:57 -0400

Jewel fiend - I wonder what planet you've been on to recommend Tavern on the Green to Extravigator's readers. It's well known to be terrible in almost every way except the view. But, there are hundreds of such views there. All you have to do is to just walk through the park and skip having a mediocre meal at an outrageous price.

I have an apartment on the west side of Manhattan, just a few blocks away from the Tavern on the Green. But, when I'm staying at my apartment, although it's just a few blocks away, there's no way I'd waste the shoe leather to go there.

Jewel fiend - I guess the consensus here is that you should be banished to TripAdvisor.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

loml95 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:38:42 -0400

wow! thanks, jensen. and the truth is, jewel fiend, i don't have any money to 'waste'.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

jensen — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:17:36 -0400

And here I thought forager was being a little pretentious! Even if you have more money to waste than the rest of us, the whole point of Extravigator is to avoid tourist traps and not to waste money on disappointing restaurants with garden views, like TOG. We'd all rather just discover the top places and hidden gems whether they be cheap or expensive. You'd be wise to take a look at the mission statement. This isn't TripAdvisor!

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

jewel fiend — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:01:22 -0400

Maybe I just have more money to waste than you. Haven't you ever put up with a little disappointment to savor something else? If you have deli sandwiches on Mt. Kileauea, is the view any less breathtaking. (BTW, you can arrange for catered meals on some of Hawaii's volanos). For me, the view there is worth it, at least more than is would be to eat at another one of those trendy places with bit-sized food with scads of chrome and whatever else the Target destined furniture designer ordered. Where else in NY can you go (at least in the temperate months) and eat in, or looking out on, such a garden, other than plunking down with take out in Prospect Park? Anyway, it seems these posts are going beyond the original scope, so I'll bid adieu.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

loml95 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:54:44 -0400

sorry, jewel fiend, gotta agree with forager. TOG, as you refer to it, has had a pretty bad rep for a loooong time. back when ruth reichl was the NY Times food critic. read her book, 'garlic and sapphires'. not just for her scathing review, but also, because it is a good read....

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

forager — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:01:37 -0400

It has less to do with being a food snob and more to do with paying around $30 a person for tacky decor, average food and poor service. At least the food at City Bakery's food is more in line with its cost. Pastis actually has good food and the decor is far more stylish and appealing than TOG's tacky carpets and glittery light show.

I didn't mean to be nasty, as you say, but I honestly couldn't believe that you would want to "eat there every day." Seriously, be reasonable now. Tavern on the Green is often considered to be one of the biggest tourist traps in New York.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

jewel fiend — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:20:35 -0400

Well forager, we'll have to disagree, although I fear you are one of those food snobs that thinks the food is the only part of the dining experience. I go to TOG because I like the environment - it's pretty, OK, is that a crime? For some reason you must have a personal grudge against the place because I notice you didn't rip into the person that recommended Pastis. Not all NYers think TOG is a tourist trap, believe me, it's usually full of folks from the city. And, TOG is way more upscale than City Bakery, which resembles a high school cafeteria - even spotty service is better than cattle lines. Anyway, 'nuf said. Different strokes for different folks, but you don't have to be nasty about it.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

forager — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:27:17 -0400

Rache didn't say anything about people from out of town. She just said "an upscale breakfast in New York to go with friends."

It's not just me who thinks TOG is a horrendous tourist trap. You'd have a hard time finding any great reviews of it from reliable sources. There are few people who would rank Tavern on the Green alongside Sarabeth's, Normas and Pastis. Not to mention you can't possibly judge a restaurant by its own website. The last time I was at TOG I noticed water stains on the ceiling, carpets from the Eisenhower administration, and waiters who served meals like they worked in a prison. The food was only so so.

There are many superior restaurants in New York. Why anyone would want to "eat there every day" is beyond me.

Off the top of my head, here's a better suggestion. One of my favorite is breakfast at Balthazar on weekdays when you can avoid the crowds. The food is usually excellent and it's a very nice atmosphere for gathering with friends.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

jewel fiend — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:25:20 -0400

Forager:

You're assuming I'm not a New Yorker - I just don't live there anymore. As far TOG, I specified that they serve brunch (which does have breakfast items on it) and while folks that live 24/7 in the city may not like it, it constantly rates high with folks I bring in from out of town. From the tone of her post - unless I misread - she or some of her guests must be from out of town (i.e. tourists), or she would most likely know a few places to take them. The service is poor/spotty if you're in a hurry (I'll givee you that and have been annoyed when trying to get to the theatre), but if you want a leisurely place to have a long get- together with friends, at least they aren't like some places that drop the check off midway through the meal and try to hustle you out of the door. She said she was looking for 'upscale' which, given its location and setting, most agree it offers - she didn't say she was a gourmand looking for the world's best eggs brioche. In any event, the place offers a detailed website with menus and pictures, so she can decide for herself.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

forager — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:11:38 -0400

Sorry jewel fiend, but most New Yorkers know that Tavern on the Green is a tourist trap with mediocre food and poor service. (The New York Times gave it an abysmal 1 out of 5 stars on their last review of the restaurant). I would recommend that people stay far away from Tavern on the Green unless you prefer overpriced touristy atmosphere.

Not to mention that Tavern on the Green does not even serve breakfast. It only serves brunch on the weekend. As I mentioned in another post, the Boathouse in Central Park is a far better alternative to Tavern on the Green.

Serving Etiquette

jewel fiend — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:09:59 -0400

Maybe I'm a remnant from my grandmother's day, as she taught me etiquette, but I hate it when the wait staff in expensive restaurants don't know to serve and remove from the right. There's nothing worse than talking with someone and having the plate shoved in from the left unexpectedly. I also dislike how inattentive some waiters can be. I'm not shy about flagging ANYONE down, even the manager or the maitre d' if my glass hasn't been kept full, but I shouldn't have to make such a spectacle of myself.

Russian Tea Room, open for business?

jewel fiend — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:47:16 -0400

Has the Russian Tea Room re-opened (again?) and if so, can anyone that's been there tell me how it is? I used to always take friends there for cocktails during our Christmas shopping expeditions. Like the old Nirvana, the main attraction was the exotic decor.

Upscale Breakfasts in New York City

jewel fiend — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:35:57 -0400

I always assume everyone knows about it, but try brunch at the Tavern-On-The-Green in Central Park. (If I lived in NY instead of just visiting frequently, I'd eat there every day). Inside or out, the scenery is beautiful. I've seen comments referring to some restaurants as pricey, but isn't this the blog for 'haute travel?' Brunch is ala carte (not 'buffet style' as some people think the term connotes) and depending on what you order runs about $30 a person. I agree with dd67, the Palm Court is great, too. Although I think Tavern is a notch above, folks are usually impressed by the legendary Plaza Hotel.

Dining out in Bermuda

jewel fiend — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:19:32 -0400

If you want a memorable casual experience, try the Swizzle Inn. If you want something formal (but maybe a bit different to those of you who are American) try afternoon tea at the Princess. I had a tea there (at the Hamilton Princess) for my wedding reception and guests still rave. Ask to sit where you can see the koi pond.

Great Dining Experience In Denver?

JenniferRed — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:58:42 -0400

Thank you, Jensen. I will try these and I will let you know my review. I will be in Denver the last week of this month. If any others come to mine, please let me know. THANKS, AGAIN!

Great Dining Experience In Denver?

jensen — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 09:24:04 -0400

If you can swing over to Boulder, CO be sure to have either lunch or dinner at The Kitchen - 1039 Pearl St, Boulder, CO - (303) 544-5973 - http://www.thekitchencafe.com . It has a modern feel to it, and the food is really top-notch for a café.

In Denver there's Brasserie Rouge at 1801 Wynkoop St in Denver (303) 991-2242. As close as you can get to a classic brasserie outside of Paris. Delightful atmosphere and excellent food. Enjoy!

France's Finest Restaurants

The Rover — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:47:46 -0400

Don Pablo - thanks very much for telling us about your visits to Lameloise and Le Meurice.

It might also be of interest to readers to know that, if you are dining in Le Meurice and if you look out the windows that you showed in one of your pictures, you'll have an excellent view of the Tuileries Gardens. If you click on the following link, you can also see some very nice photographs of the hotel, the gardens, the restaurant Le Meurice and the other fine restaurant at the hotel - Le Dali - which I believe is also under the direction of chef Yannick Alléno:

http://www.lemeurice.com/pdf/english.pdf

France's Finest Restaurants

DonPablo — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 00:38:30 -0400

After our wonderful dining experience at Lameloise in May of 2008 (see my comments above) my wife, Donna Elena, and I continued our travels through France and eventually returned to the Hotel Meurice, where we had stayed for a few days earlier that month, before embarking for Burgundy. Since we knew that we were going to be staying at the Meurice for yet another four days before continuing on to Portugal, we had previously made a reservation to have lunch one afternoon at the hotel’s famous in-house 3 Michelin star restaurant, Le Meurice, which, under the leadership of the world-renowned head Chef Yannick Alléno, had obtained its 3rd Michelin star in 2007.

When we entered the dining room of Le Meurice that day, we were looking forward to a wonderful meal, and I must say that we certainly were not disappointed. Clearly, when a restaurant (in particular, a restaurant in France) achieves 3 Michelin stars, it is approaching perfection in its pursuit of providing its customers, in every way, with an extraordinary dining experience. As was the case with Lameloise, the service was friendly and efficient, the food creative and incredibly delicious, and the presentations ever so beautiful. Not one of our courses missed their mark. An additional element that added to the experience was the 17th century “grand siècle”-style dining room itself, with its marble walls and elegant, gold chandeliers, inspired by the Salon de la Paix at the Chateau de Versailles. Attached below, you’ll find some photographs we took when we dined at Le Meurice, including pictures of some of the dishes we sampled, the dining room and the menu describing the delicious meal that we had.

The experience was even more enjoyable because we knew Le Meurice’s maître d'hôtel, Sébastian Rival, who made sure that everything was taken care of for us and, in fact, personally delivered some of our dishes to our table. Sébastian and his colleagues couldn’t have been more friendly or more attentive. We truly felt like royalty as we dined there that afternoon. But, as we were finishing our meal, we found that we were in for one last surprise. Sebastian had arranged for Yannick Alléno, himself, to come to our table and to meet with us. He was utterly charming and we enjoyed our conversation with him immensely. It was the fitting end to a delightful and exciting meal.

In summary, upon leaving Le Meurice that afternoon, we could see why this famous, elegant establishment has the excellent reputation it enjoys as one of the world’s truly great restaurants.

Great Dining Experience In Denver?

JenniferRed — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:22:54 -0400

Can anyone give me a list of great restaurants in Denver,CO., With a great dining experience?

Serving Etiquette

dimundsr — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:21:18 -0400

May I add a couple of my pet peeves? I dislike the server asking, "Are you still working on that?" I didn't realize it was a chore.

I also have a problem with the server scraping my plate into a "doggy bag" at the table rather than in the kitchen. Yikes! Not a pleasant sight.

Serving Etiquette

frankidurbin — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:53:04 -0400

Nanoose, what an excellent way to phrase it. The 'auctioning' is one of my peeves, as it requires you to raise a hand, point or otherwise 'win' your food as you would in an auction. There's nothing upscale about that...

Brunch in Amsterdam

maxf — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 05:32:23 -0400

De Kas is a stunning restaurant to the south of the city. You should book and get a taxi there. You won't be disappointed.
There isn't much of culture of brunch in Europe. De Kas serves lunch but open at 12:00.
www.restaurantdekas.nl

France's Finest Restaurants

DonPablo — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 23:36:19 -0400

Hi, Nanoose

If the English can imbibe French wine, I guess that the French can buy Jaguars.

With respect to the question you posed, I think I'll pass on answering it, as my answer might get me in trouble with my French friends and/or my wife. But I will say, with regard to your story about that chef who lost a Michelin star, that your ex doesn't sound like the type of person that would give people a second chance even though, in fact, some of humanity's greatest triumphs have occurred after previous failures.

Also, let us not forget the words of another Frenchman, Michel de Montaigne, who once said "Some defeats are more triumphant than victories” or the words of Mike Ditka, the legendary tight end and, later on, coach of the Chicago Bears, who said "Success isn’t permanent and failure isn’t fatal.”

In summary, Nanoose, from my perspective - a perspective evidently not shared by your ex - having lost a Michelin star and then having worked hard to regain it, Jacques Lameloise's story is even more glorious than if he had kept his 3 stars all along.

I hope that you make it to France in the fall!

France's Finest Restaurants

Nanoose — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:36:01 -0400

DP: Oh that looks nice, thanks for the photo's. I may be off to france this fall if the Gods are good to me. I must say that I am surprised that a true french man would buy anything english (jag). Cute story: I used to be married to a french chef, and I always said my very favorite restaurant was "Cafe 1368" which was our house numbers. Anyway, once we were driving through the Loire Valley and he was considering visiting some chef's place when he heard that this chef/owner lost a Michelin star. So, I said "Are we going to go see him anyway?" and my ex replied, "Of course not. I would never have anything to do with a big loser that can't even keep his stars. What kind of person lets this happen? Nobody I want to be involved with". And that was that. Now, I must say my ex was harsh on people (me included) but isn't that attitude about as french as you can get?

France's Finest Restaurants

DonPablo — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:11:19 -0400

One of the finest restaurants in France can be found in a relatively small town in the southern part of Burgundy, just south of Beaune. It's Lameloise, and it's located in a beautiful and charming 15th century house on a small square in Chagny. As you know, the top ranking that any restaurant can receive is 3 Michelin stars. Lameloise is one of the very few restaurants in France that has been given a 3 Michelin star ranking, and every one of those stars is extremely well-deserved.

It wasn't always that way. After losing his third star a few years ago, Jacques Lameloise and his staff put all their efforts into regaining that lost star as quickly as possible. It didn't take long. Last year, the Michelin people once again gave Lameloise 3 stars and many knowledgeable people now consider it to be one of the top five restaurants in all of France.

My wife and I had the pleasure of dining at Lameloise on the evening of the twelfth of May, 2008. It was a memorable experience. When you dine in a 3 star restaurant that really has earned its stars (as Lameloise surely has over the past few years) you KNOW you're in a 3 star restaurant. Nothing is left to chance. The table cloths are so clean and white that you won't be able to find a blemish on them. The silverware is spotless. The water glasses are refilled at just the right intervals. The service is impeccable - your every need is taken care of, but the captains and the waiters don't hover over you. They are friendly and informative. Last but not least, the food is an out-of-this-world experience and the wines are exceptional. On the night that we were there, Lameloise scored perfect tens in each of these categories, and more.

The menu that we chose from can be seen in one of the photos that I've attached below. Each and every dish my wife and I had was incredibly delicious, creatively conceived and beautifully presented. We had two exceptionally good wines with the meal. Each was delightful, but the Corton Grand Cru Cuvee Charlotte Dumay 1998 was SO good that we were on the verge of begging for mercy. Not a drop was left in the bottle when the meal was over.

Nothing placed before us that magical evening missed its mark. In particular, the two selections of foies gras were, by far, the best we had ever tasted, the ravioli d'escargots were beyond belief and both the lamb and the duck were memorable. The chocolate dessert, which is also pictured below, completed one of the most exceptional dining experiences we have ever had.

However, our wonderful evening at Lameloise was not over, even after we had left the restaurant. During the meal, Jacques Lameloise himself had come to our table to greet us and to make sure that everything was to our liking. A friendly, modest and sincere man, he walked out with us as we left the restaurant and actually took a few minutes to show us his latest acquisition, an antique Jaguar automobile that he had recently purchased, before bidding us adieu and hurrying back to the kitchen. Looking back, not only did the restaurant Lameloise rate 3 Michelin stars, but so did its owner.

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Serving Etiquette

Trabzon — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:30:07 -0400

Even worse are the waiters who stack all of the plates on one arm — as if it were a contest.

The proper way to serve is to have both the serving and the clearing of plates synchronized so that everyone's plates are coming and going at the same time. This is why many fine restaurants will not serve their tasting menus unless everyone at the table has agreed to order it. Timing is everything when it comes to serving etiquette, and unless everyone's courses are synchronized, the plates can't be served and cleared at the same time.

Imagine how awkward it would feel if you were on your second to last course of a tasting menu, and everyone else at the table had already finished their meal. The waiters would feel compelled to clear the table, but their wouldn't be a proper way to time it.

Serving Etiquette

dbw — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:58:10 -0400

On our first trip to Italy we felt that the waiters at most mid-level restaurants were inattentive, so we didn't have to worry about our plates being removed too quickly. We soon realized that the slow and inattentive service was just was the norm in Italy. The good news is that eventually the waiters would come by and properly clear everyone at the same time the way it's supposed to be done.

Brunch in Amsterdam

doc4i — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:08:56 -0400

I recommend the Hotel Pulitzer. The location is magnificent and the quality of service and food is excellent.

Serving Etiquette

Nanoose — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:53:05 -0400

I couldn't agree more with the lack of serving etiquette. My personal pet peeve that I think is quite disgusting is the food servers "auctioning" off food. "Who had the lamb chops?", "White Fish?", etc. etc. I expect this at a Denny's but anywhere else it is a crime.