Well, yeah. How many? Out of how many? And how did $75 become the o/u? What’s the next cohort up? How many need to be in that one?
The underlying idea might have some merit and value - but as is, it’s useless to the reader.
For some reason I can’t start a new topic so I thought this would be the best place to put this
RIP Gael Greene
One of the original food critics
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We went to Gem last week for our first time. It was their fall menu - largely poultry (duck, pheasant, etc.) with some seafood, as well. The meal was well executed, interesting, and comforting. The food felt honest and transparent (e.g., you can pretty much see all of the ingredients used and the cooking itself throughout the meal depending on your table). One of the desserts, a cake, was one of the better sweet dishes I’ve had in recent memory. The atmosphere was comfortable and the service was friendly.
We’ll definitely go back. While I really appreciate the fine-dining-without-formality approach and while we knew the cost of the menu upfront, we were a little puzzled by the bill – about $500 for two after food, wine pairing, and tax and before tip (as an aside, next time, we’ll forego the pairing). Not that the cost would deter us from returning, but I think we would reframe it as more of a special occasion spot for us. That puts Gem in an interesting niche – special occasion restaurant with corresponding pricing that doesn’t feel dressy or formal.
So happy you liked Gem. I love the current menu and am going back on Friday. I hear you on price. I think it is hard to do the tasting menu format with the quality of the ingredients Chef Flynn is using at a lower price point. Incidentally, you can eat a nice meal for two and have a bottle of wine for well under $200 at Gem wine bar.
Hit Naro last evening. I like the white and bright decor which helps since it is in the lower level. It is a tasting menu format with a vegetable and non veg option. The vegetable menu sounded so good we both opted for it. We loved the food. It compares with 11 Madison with a little less fuss. A tofu dish that had yuba and two other types of tofu that was incredible. A seaweed and potato dish plus a mushroom dish were both spectacular. The wine list is very good and they plan to expand it even more as they have a large cellar space.
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Im trying to get to Naro before the holiday season. I want to be nowhere near there when the waves of tourists hit for the holidays.
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Yeah, I have no qualms with the cost when the quality of ingredients and cooking is that high. I think it’s more that for better or worse most of my experiences with $200+pp tasting menus have been more formal. So, there’s some slight dissonance for me when the experience is more casual.
I think it’s worth challenging why that’s the case (I.e., does fine dining really need to be formal?), and have found myself more taken by restaurants with a personality than those with pressed table cloths, etc.
Will have to check out the wine bar soon!
Evan - Interesting points and I wholeheartedly agree. What I personally think led to the downfall of restaurants like Per Se several years ago is when smaller restaurants like GEM starting cooking at much higher levels and all of sudden a meal at a places like Contra, Blanca, the original Brooklyn Fare or Momofuku Ko was pretty damn close or even better than the three stars. When Brooklyn Fare first opened, they had a few metal kitchen tables that formed a u shape, no wine list and it was in a side room in a grocery store. AND it was $95 and way, WAY better than the three star restaurants.
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was in the rock center area yesterday and wanted to get a look at le rock, naro, and lodi
i had a few amuse and 2 apps at le rock. the food and service were excellent but it’s a strange space. the wine list is much like frenchette and i think it will grow to fill the space.
the bar room is extremely loud and not conducive to eating like frenchette. the dining room looked more civilized. it kinda reminds me of a cross between the frenchette guys and a major food group production.
i tried to get to the bar at naro after le rock, but there was no space. despite the underground location it looks nice, although not a warm looking place. lodi is a bustling spot and i didn’t have much time so ordered a tuna app and a glass of an etna bianco. turned out it was a tuna sandwich and was excellent.
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A few recent meals.
2nd time with the Bird menu at GEM and it was even better than the first. One of my favorite restaurants in NYC.
Went back to Manhatta and it was not nearly as good as the first. The wine director Will is incredibly nice and professional. I will go back when they change the menu up a bit.
Lords Very good, even though we are not big meat eaters. I suspect if you are a meat lover it would be even better.
i go to lodi for work lunches with clients. i cant see going there on my own time.
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Need pizza now! Got Via Carota, Koloman, Carbone, Bar Room at Modern.
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jp
i was there for 12-15 minutes
the time investment was minimal
agreed tho not a place i plan to spend much time
could use everyone’s help here. planning on a dinner for my cycling team. 8 guys…not wine centric…manhattan and mostly downtown ideally. having a hard time thinking of a good place for dinner with a large group.
my local italian, malaparte will work but was thinking of le rock, cervos in their back area, ci siamo, au cheval (but super heavy food).
any more newer ideas? not looking for asian food.
Spanish? Tomiño Taberna Gallega in Little Italy/Chinatown for good Galician; Spanish Diner in Mercato Little Spain. Had fun group meals at these places a few times.
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I love Cervos but that seems to be a little tight and it is loud in that area.
Some other ideas…Chambers, Ernestos, Corner Bar, Estella Private Room (holds 8 people but you have to pay a room charge), Charlie Bird, Pasquale Jones.
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skip via carota imo
pizza:
lucali
l’industrie
ops
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Slice place or restaurant?
I prefer Ny style slice, pizzeria suprema is excellent and well located.
And I love Joe’s on Bleeker.
But I’m a crisp slice guy, others prefer the soft dough Neapolitan style.
L’industrie looks great and I’ve always wanted to try Lucali’s but waits at the latter and the Brooklyn location has kept me from trying.
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Not one of my top favorites but given its location can be convenient and they do slices Scarr’s Pizza is a decent option.
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