PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Wow. Swanky.
Please rate the Bar:
There’s two actually— and they’re both pretty slammin. Big, welcoming, commodious, and smart. Curious to see how they end up handling the door, but this place could very well be the new jumpoff…
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Excellent. Good sagacious recipes with quality, creativity, and lots of fresh ingredients. And the prices aren’t bad either, considering.
Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s pretty stellar. There’s maybe just a wee touch of austerity, probably due to all the glass and concrete, but overall it’s a beauty. Very impressive.
Please rate the BOH:
Well ya know, it’s Sam Talbot…
I can’t exactly say I’m the greatest Top Chef fan, but I can say after one meal, this dude has made a believer outta me all right.
How was the staff?
Exceptional. Everybody. Really.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Cauliflower fritters : Wow. Not flowers as you might expect, but pureed like mashed potatoes. Sooo delicious.
Iberico lardo and toro : Faaantastic. How can I explain— sorta like a crostini with scrumptious fresh toro and Iberico lardo piled on top? Oh who cares, just eat it.
Slow cooked octopus : Not as mind-blowing as the others, but still very good. Rich and flavorful.
Shrimp and grits : Better than it sounds, trust me. Succulent and hearty.
Cucumber kimchee : Yah, uh… –the fuck? Whatever, it’s good. Tamer than the "real" stuff, but ya know… that’s just how round-eyes roll, I guess. Ha ha ha ha haaa… oh lighten up there, Casper.
What did you like?
Just about everything.
What did you dislike?
If you must know, I’m not feelin those girl uniforms. What’s with all the hotels and the ugly satin dresses everywheres all of a sudden?
What was your last impression?
Oh look it’s Charlie Walk. [Waaalk this waaay... sorry, couldn't resist.]
Would you come back?
For sure.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was a pleasure.
* * * * *
Have you heard?
Until the release of PX Me (Summer 2011), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
Abbe Diaz’s new (daily) blog is now at: abbediaz.com
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Huh, somehow it looks bigger than Le Gamin…
Please rate the Bar:
Cute. Small, (about six seats) but cute. Love the colorful fruit baskets.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Smart. No ABC license— due to their unfortunate location between the church and the devil— so they’re forced to make due with beer, wine, and spirits. Great job, though— inventive recipes, fresh ingredients, and palatable prices make the hard stuff not so easy to miss.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Like I said, bigger than I expected. And typically appealing and hip— oh it’s very Serge Becker all right.
Please rate the BOH:
Sorta N/A— the BOH is smack in the middle of the FOH. And it’s really verrry good.
How was the staff?
Fabulous. Of course. Come on, it’s everybody you already know and adore. What’s not to love?
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Codfish fritters : Good. A little chewy though, sat in ‘the window’ just a minute too long, and they might want to double check that oil temperature. Just sayin’.
Smoked mackerel salad: Nice. Fresh, tasty, love the textures. And big too.
Oxtail stew : Very good. Hearty— don’t forget the hot sauce. Delicious.
Jerk chicken : Ohhh yeah. Tender, succulent, perfectly cooked. And that "chef made" jerk sauce is not messin around. It means business— and after that plate landed in front of me, so did I. Even the rice is good.
Banana Pudding: Mmmmm… simple, light, and natural, but creamy, rich, and flavorful. Love it.
What did you like?
Pretty much everything.
What did you dislike?
The tables are kinda cramped, but I get it. And I’ll live.
What was your last impression?
Yay! (It’s so close by, you see.)
Would you come back?
Ha ha aha get serious.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
No nooo, thank yooou! Especially for that special "reservation" e-mail address.
:)
* * * * *
Have you heard?
Until the release of PX Me (Summer 2011), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
Abbe Diaz’s new (daily) blog is now at: abbediaz.com
Hey, remember a few weeks ago when we referred to Armin Amiri‘s new enterprise but didn’t want to give away all the details because we were trying to be respectful, and then Eater graciously picked up our tidbit and then the very next day The New York Post shadily ran with the story without crediting us, as usual, because they’re lame shystery fuckers, and then supposedly Amy Sacco got pretty upset and then maybe may or may not have thrown a wee bit of a tantrum that Amiri is riding her coat tails straight over her head now that he’s getting all these big new deals in New York (hey New York Post, did you happen to hear about the other project Amiri’s been fervently eyeing for months now?) and she’s not?
Yeah well, that place is called Mr H, and it soft-opened to "friends and family" as a complimentary "preview" last week on Friday night for "only thirty invited guests," in a practice run before the Prabal Gurung and Derek Lam parties over the weekend. We have a few photos even though technically we weren’t allowed to take pictures, so we’ll show you some because clearly there’s no point in trying to be respectful. However, we will endeavor to remain somewhat courteous and just give you a sneak peek, because apparently Mr H is currently in the unfortunate position of having to honor Fashion Week bookings made months in advance despite being behind development schedule and "not fully prepared." Evidently, its current state is "temporary"; Mr H will re-close after Fashion Week to undergo further renovations.
That is all for now. Try checking The Post tomorrow— maybe they’ll make some calls today in an attempt to score some kind of awesome indignant quote from Amy Sacco or something.
* * * * *
Have you heard?
Until the release of PX Me (Summer 2011), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
Abbe Diaz’s new (daily) blog is now at: abbediaz.com
Ladies and Gentlemen, May We Have Your Attention
Christian Alexander‘s gatherings may have been heating up The Mulberry Project for the past couple weeks or so, but things are about to get even hotter. And we maybe don’t exactly mean that in a good way.
Now that its opening has been officially announced, chances are likely the diminutive venue will now be in far greater demand. This has the neighbors worried. According to sources who live nearby, the former establishment located within the space "practically closed itself," when persistent complaints from the area’s residents, about the noise emanating from the rear garden, had the city’s building departments incessantly breathing down its neck.
Here’s a valuable word of advice: If it’s very late at night (or rather, early in the morning) and you don’t see the doorman poised at the basement entrance of 149 Mulberry St, do the place a favor and just keep walking. Do not harass the neighbors, do not disturb the local shops/shopkeepers, and certainly do not go around ringing random buzzers or screaming into the void.
You’re not getting in. Let it go— that is, if you want the joint to survive long enough for you to try another day. Frustrated homebodies say they "don’t want to be enemies," but are losing patience quickly. Please consider this "fair warning."
This has been a PX This PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
* * * * *
Have you heard?
Until the release of PX Me (Summer 2011), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
Abbe Diaz’s new (daily) blog is now at:
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Huh. Well… it’s certainly no Juliet, ha ha ahaa.
Please rate the Bar:
Nice. Big, welcoming, commodious.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
They’re still in soft-open mode, so they haven’t quite settled in yet. But they have Belvedere! And fat juicy olives. What more do you need?
Oh but, my certified-sommelier friend hated her sauvignon blanc by the glass, so hopefully they’re working on that. I’m just sayin’.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Larger than you’d expect. There’s actually an anteroom, then a dining room, then a private dining room (seats about 20), then apparently another private private dining room beyond the first private dining room (still in the works).
Please rate the BOH:
Good. Simple but straightforward gastropubby type menu. Appetizers and entrees for now— bar menu, daily specials, and dessert "coming soon."
How was the staff?
Decent. Proficient and conscientious, but with just a dash of ennui. Ya know, hip and confident— imported from downtown.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Artichoke dip : Very good. Rich and delicious. A+
Burger : Top-notch. Perfectly cooked, hearty, juicy, and flavorful. Great presentation. Excellent fries (Sysco?).
Fish and Chips : Tasty. Crisp but fluffy. Not too greasy. Perfect portion. Same great fries.
Steamed mussels : Tender and succulent, but why such a congested little bowl? More broth, please!
Chicken wings : Eh, okay. Typical "buffalo" style. Sorry, but once you go Korean, there’s no coming back. (Generous serving, though.)
What did you like?
That dip was pretty slammin.
What did you dislike?
Nothing really. Oh wait sorry, my friend really did not like that wine.
What was your last impression?
Ha haa, seriously— I’m kinda curious what the story is here. Anyone who knows Artan Gjoni (and that’s just about everyone who’s anyone, yea?) knows that boy is impossible to talk to.
Would you come back?
Even though it’s kinda out of the way… probably.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, Artan! It was nice seeing you too.
* * * * *
For more on Artan Gjoni, read PX Me – The Sequel to PX This. Coming soon in the Summer of 2011.
* * * * *
Have you heard?
Until the release of PX Me (Summer 2011), this website will henceforth be updated only intermittently (approximately once or twice a week).
Abbe Diaz’s new (daily) blog is now at:
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Swanky!
But I’m not surprised; I looove The Setai hotels.
Please rate the Bar:
Beautiful, welcoming, spacious, and comfortable. (There are actually two bars/lounges in The Setai—- one on the main floor and another on the second floor past Ai Fiori’s glass doors.)
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
The cocktails list is creative and diverse, but on the main floor they have a bit of a recipe problem. On two separate occasions, two different bartenders altered their mixology to accommodate their own whims rather than supply the drinks as described. One bartender attempted to substitute Beefeater for the Beefeater 24 offered in the recipe printed on the list, and the other added framboise and cranberry juice for no apparent reason to a special house "margarita" recipe that stated simply two types of premium tequila and fresh lime juice. Very odd.
In any case, if you’re a truly discerning drinker, keep your eye on those shifty fuckers.
The upstairs bartender seems more fastidious, but unfortunately, he’s slow. The wait time for your drink is then compounded by the fact he’s also servicing the entire dining room as well as all the patrons seated at the bar. Good thing the seats are so cozy.
And the wine list is as you’d expect— ample, diverse, and sagacious, but reasonably priced, all things considered.
Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s big. And luxurious without being stifling. It does kinda make you wonder, however, why they slapped that ugly POS monitor up on the wall smack in the center of the room.
Please rate the BOH:
Very good. Vaaastly better than Morini, I’ll tell you that much.
This is likely why Morini sucks—- homeboy is busy, mmkay?
How was the staff?
Extremely polite and quite conscientious. Superbly professional (except maybe the downstairs bartenders, obvs).
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Crudo : Good, fresh, simple, tasty.
Black Truffle Risotto : Very good, luscious, flavorful. Delicious.
Lobster : A bit too underdone for my taste, but otherwise lovely. Oh well, better underdone than overdone. But, personally I would have preferred a bit more succulence and a bit less translucence.
Rack of Lamb : Tender, perfectly cooked, hearty but delicate.
Oh damn, I can’t remember dessert now: Not much of one for the sweets, so dessert was either sent from the kitchen or it was ordered when I wasn’t paying attention. And honestly, I can’t recall what the dishes were (one was chocolate— very rich), but I do recollect they were quite good— and reminded me of pastry chef Patrick Coston. (I’m sure they weren’t his, though.) Sorry!
What did you like?
Hey, if The Setai installed itself a fancy KFC, I’d probably still love it to death.
What did you dislike?
Framboise? And tequila? Gagh.
What was your last impression?
So, now I finally know where the fuck Ai Fiori is.
Would you come back?
The full dining experience is a tad turgid for me, but I’ll gladly return to the bar/lounge anytime.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, it was a pleasure.
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Huh…?
Huh.
Please rate the Bar:
Sigh. Well, it’s… small. Smaller than the former Grayz bar, actually. Less welcoming, less accommodating, and less comfortable. So it kind of makes you wonder— since they went to all the trouble to tear down and yank out the old bar to move it to the opposite side of the room— why exactly did they make it so awful?
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
The cocktails are small too— but at least not terribly expensive. One look at the glassware is giving me a distinct "Cipriani" vibe, so I’m opting for the hard stuff instead of wine. Sorry, didn’t get a look at the list (but given the venue’s pedigree, I’m assuming it’s not particularly diverse nor irresistibly priced).
Please rate the Dining Room:
They raised the ceilings? Really. Umm, in the "atrium," maybe. Did they have to steal the height from the other (three) dining rooms?
And, I’m pretty confused. I’ve seen Cyril Durand-Behar‘s work before, and seeing this place just doesn’t make sense to me. Is it supposed to be a replica of the one in Nice, perhaps? Because that would sorta make all this nonsensical-ness make a little more sense. I think.
Please rate the BOH:
Is it supposed to be a replica of the one in Nice, perhaps? In which case, I guess I’ll just refrain. I mean— the food’s not the point anyway, right? (Let’s face it, I don’t go to Cipriani for the Veal Milanese if you hear what I’m sayin’.)
How was the staff?
They’re sweet.
Except for maybe the tall dude at the desk. And the slightly exasperated girl standing next to him. And the wee bit too agressive coat check girl. And the busboy who apparently doesn’t take too kindly to the camera built into your Blackberry.
The bartender— she’s nice.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Toast with bone marrow : Well, the low $10 pricetag does make me less inclined to officially complain that the bones are of poor quality and grossly undercooked.
Zucchini blossom beignet : It seems like they could be pretty good, but they’re cold. And ya know… deep-fried food… when it’s cold… is pretty bleah. Also, they’re not stuffed… with anything… in case that’s what you’re expecting… simply because other chefs usually make them that way…
Fried calamari : It seems like they could be pretty good, but they’re cold. And ya know… deep-fried food… when it’s cold… is oh forget it never mind. I give up.
What did you like?
Pass.
What did you dislike?
Sigh.
I’ll let you guess.
What was your last impression?
Thank goodness they found my friend’s coat.
Would you come back?
What do you think?
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Yeah yeah.
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Holy cow, it’s huge.
Please rate the Bar:
Snazzy. It’s big. And slick.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
It’s a drinker’s bar, all right. Good fancy cocktails with impressive ingredients and swanky garnishes served in robust glassware. Sorry, I didn’t get a look at the wine list— I was too busy tasting a half-dozen pretty delicious cocktails, I am not even kidding.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Well, since there’s no doubt Las Vegas is the new Culinary Capitol of this country, it’s no surprise all the New York restaurants are jumping all over that bandwagon.
P.S. There’s a deejay; need I say more?
Please rate the BOH:
Much better than I expected, actually. I mean, ya know— there’s a deejay; need I say more?
How was the staff?
Ha ha ahaa, pretty awesome. I mean: if you’ve ever been a PX at Da Silvano or La Esquina, you’re allll set. Come on down, your homeys are waiting for you.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Pretty much everything on the menu : Yes, somehow I made it for the real "Friends & Family," and the dishes haven’t stopped coming since I sat down. If I mentioned every single one, I’d be here all day. So lemme just say most of them were very good, with the standouts being the pork belly flatbread, the octopus pizza, the pesto gnocchi, and the beef tenderloin. Quite frankly, with all the flowing cocktails, all the great company, and the overall conviviality, I’m having some difficulty recalling the food. And why do I feel like I’m wasting my time trying to describe it anyway?
Oh right, it’s probably because you really don’t care. You know what you have in mind, and you want to be sure you’ll indeed find it here. The answer is: yes. Yes, you will. So bust out the Audemars and your Laboutins, honey. This is the place to express your elation you’re one of The Chosen who still have a job.
What did you like?
Soraya, Luis, Alessandro, and Benny Blanco.
What did you dislike?
Dude, it’s Friends and Family! Get serious.
What was your last impression?
Oh look, it’s John Utendahl and the kid from Jersey Shore. (Not together.)
Would you come back?
Oh, I know exactly who I’m bringing next time.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you. It’s nights like this that really make those 20+ years in the industry all worthwhile.
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
Cecconi @ Soho House (Miami Beach)
What was your first impression?
I wonder how this location is working out for them.
Please rate the Bar:
Very nice. Charming, commodious, and welcoming. This must have been quite the scene all weekend…
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Oh crap. Sorry, forgot to look at the lists. I’m here for brunch, and I got a little distracted watching white truffles being scraped upon the pizza two tables over. (Were you able to afford truffle pizza when you were 22? And since when do models eat carbs, anyway?)
But the white wine by the glass recommended by our waiter (Chardonnay-Vermentino, $12/glass) was very good.
Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s pleasant. Rustic but elegant. Spacious but cozy, and smart too.
Please rate the BOH:
Better than I expected, actually. I mean, ya know— Soho House here in New York is hardly known for its food. And Miami Beach in general isn’t exactly a culinary mainstay. Throw "fabulous" in there, and the prospects don’t seem all that promising.
But then again, it’s brunch. I’d like to say you’d have to be pretty pathetic to screw up eggs, but now that I think of it, lots of restaurants I’ve visited in the past sure have messed up eggs pretty badly.
Anyway, the menu is straightforward and appealing, and the prices are more reasonable than I’d anticipated too.
How was the staff?
The hostess must be new (or maybe a wee stupid?); she could definitely use a bit more training. Is it really necessary to ask two people if they have a reservation for 3PM? And then inquire of the maitre d’ if they "anything available" [response: "I'm suuure there's plenty available."]? And then parade us past 8,000 empty tables all the way into the back of the dining room right next to a occupied four-top… before acquiescing to our personal request anyway? Yah, like that.
Our waiter was excellent though—
knowledgeable, proficient, and amiable. Casual but totally professional.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Eggs Benedict : Very good. And the accompanying tater tots (with chives?) are delicious.
Steak and eggs : Great. Tender juicy skirt steak perfectly cooked. Pretty fairly priced at $22.
Beet salad :Good. Fresh. Tasty. And huge.
Apple-yogurt-something cake with gelato : Not quite what I expected from the description, but good. Kinda tastes more lemony than apple-y, though.
What did you like?
Pretty much everything. Best of all, now I get to say I’ve been here.
What did you dislike?
Ha haa, wellll… you know, it’s Miami Beach— some of the outfits parading by, oh my lord.
What was your last impression?
Now I kinda wish I’d come for dinner instead. The show must be spectacular.
Would you come back?
It’s kinda far from South Beach… but maybe.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, it was fun.
Art Basel Miami Beach – Day 02
- Breakfast at The Raleigh again.
- Few hours at the beach. Kinda windy.
- Lunch at Joey’s in the Wynwood District.
- Tour of Wynwood galleries.
- Tour of Scope exhibit.
- Dinner at Michael’s in the Design District.
- Opening reception of Luminaire showroom in the Design District.
- AOL/Paper Party in the Design District (but, didn’t stay for the Pharrell performance).
- Bar hopping at Vino&Olio and MaiTardi (next door to the AOL/Paper party).
*See also (earlier):
• Art Basel Miami Beach – Day 01
• Art Basel Miami Beach – Day 03
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
Lyon Bouchon Moderne (the Bar)
What was your first impression?
Very first impression: wow, that’s some marquee. [This isn't a "landmark"? Huh.]
Second impression: Cute.
Please rate the Bar:
Nice. Welcoming, charming, clean. Friendly bartender.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Good. Simple but sapient and very reasonably priced.
Oh but, oops— vodka on the rocks served in a highball? Is that intentional or does that nice friendly bartender need a few more lessons? (Hmm, no inquiry as to a garnish either…)
Please rate the Dining Room:
Pleasant. Uncomplicated but astute. A fine usage of the odd square footage.
Please rate the BOH:
Very good, better than I expected. Basic but hardly ordinary. Excellent unfussy execution of classic straightforward food.
How was the staff?
Gracious and cordial, and (aside from the vodka/rocks debacle?) perfectly proficient.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Onion Soup : Very good. "Marrow jam," was it? Delicious.
Truffle hot dogs on pretzel buns : Oh boy. Just plaque my name on this seat right now…
Smoked gouda croquettes : Bring a blanket and some pillows too…
Croque Monsieur : Somebody fetch my toothbrush, I’m moving in.
What did you like?
Pretty much everything…
What did you dislike?
… Except this lamp is shining right on my head; it’s kind of glaring.
What was your last impression?
Hot dogs! And good vodka. I mean, what more does one need? (But maybe next time I should try a full dinner…)
Would you come back?
Hells yeah.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
You won’t have to look far…
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Uhh… huh.
Well, it sure is a whole lot darker than its photograph would suggest.
Please rate the Bar:
It’s small, a bit cramped and cluttered, but remarkably sedate. Like, if you could imagine a bar ever being built in a library, this would be it.
The bartenders seem a bit lost, so maybe they just need some more time to get acclimated or something.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
The wine list is rather sagacious and adventurous, reasonably priced (but hardly a bargain). The half-bottle option is a very nice (and sapient) touch.
The cocktail list, too, is smart and appealing, but personally I opted for wine so I can’t say much about the execution (although the presentation seemed quite good). A bit steep, in the $15 and up range, but certainly not a shocker considering the venue’s pedigree.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Charming, romantic, dark.
Kind of odd, actually; seems to be suffering some sort of identity crisis. For example, what’s with the embroidered three-star service busboy getups (oh excuse me, when they’re so fancifully dudded, they’re generally referred to as back waiters) mixed with the cheap, ubiquitous (read: McNally) $0.03 slop-rag "napkins"? What’s with all the staff jackets-and-ties mixed with the rustic furniture? What’s with all the lavish foliage mixed with bargain-basement bar stools?
Please rate the BOH:
Excellent.
How was the staff?
Sigh. What is that all over the floor; are those eggshells? The staff seems so busy walking on them, they forgot to be congenial.
And there goes that identity crisis again: embroidered back-waiter jackets are usually employed at restaurants that have ample BOH space for the personnel to move comfortably (with less risk of creating unsightly food stains on those starch-crisp snow-white uniforms), so how come the staff has to be reprimanded in the FOH right in front of the customers? What, you can’t take that shit to the back someplace?
In short: is this a farmhouse or the fucking Four Seasons? Nobody seems to know.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Rock shrimp polpette : Interesting. Flavor and texture more reminiscent of Chinese dim sum than any Italian meatball I’ve ever tasted, but good.
Roasted Baby Artichoke Salad : Good. Great quality and presentation. Not exactly thrilling, but pleasant.
Veal Meatballs : Very good. That "truffle pecorino" is delicious.
Cortecce with baby octopus… : Outstanding. Sooo goood…
Casarecce with sausage and broccoli rabe… : Superb. Now leave me alone, I’m licking the plate.
What did you like?
The food was exceptional.
What did you dislike?
Umm, the aura?
What was your last impression?
Ssssshhh, be veh-wee veh-wee quiet…
Would you come back?
Hmm.
Food plus Wine minus Ambience divided by Location multiplied by Pretension to the fourth power over the square root of Stratis Morfogen…
Maybe.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, but uhh— ya coulda fooled me.
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Oh sure, now you’re happy to see me. That’s pretty funny, considering it seems that usually I can’t get past the doorman at Hotel Griffou.
(Hee, kidding!) (But not really.)
Please rate the Bar:
It’s nice. Cute bartenders.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Outstanding. Really. (But they effin better be, at these prices! Holy cow.)
Please rate the Dining Room:
N/A. But the "lounge" area is nice, albeit small. Great view.
Please rate the BOH:
N/A again. (But on a semi-related note, I did try out the new chef at Hotel Griffou the other day. And I must say the food was very good.)
How was the staff?
Excellent. Everybody from the bellhops to the doorman (who’s apparently "not really a doorman doorman," in case you were wondering) to the cocktails waitresses were unbelievably gracious. Very impressive.
What did you eat?/ How was the food were the drinks?
White Russian something : Delicious.
Oh shoot, what was the other one? Tequila with fresh coconut milk something or other : OMG, so gooood.
What did you like?
Well, let’s be totally honest here. I love Johnny Swet and Larry Poston (yah, even when I can’t get in their fucking restaurant). Oh, and that David Rabin dude is okay too.
What did you dislike?
Nothing! No, really.
What was your last impression?
Did that nice security guy seriously run over here just to open the door for me? Crazy.
Would you come back?
Yup.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you! Love ya!
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Snazzy!
Please rate the Bar:
Far out, cool cat. It’s very Mad Men, all right.
There are actually two bars— one at the entrance and a larger one in the upstairs lounge. Both are welcoming, commodious, and slick. Including the bartenders.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Typically Sasha Petraske— with handsome glassware, floating icebergs, gourmet olives, etc etc. The cocktails list is simple, mostly classics with just a slight twist. Very good.
The wine list is relatively extensive and eloquent, albeit just a tad on the expensive side. But, would Roger Sterling have it any other way? I think not.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Oh come on, you get the picture by now.
Please rate the BOH:
Is that Geoffrey Zakarian I see? In chef whites? He cooks?! Who knew? (Haaa, kidding! Sort of.)
How was the staff?
Excellent. Perfectly proficient, if not particularly ebullient.
But it’s too bad the cocktail waitresses aren’t dressed in bunny suits.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Calamari : Extraordinary. Already, I’m impressed.
Beef Tartare : Very good. Fresh, hearty, simple but great. Two for two…
Pork Ravioli : OK, I’m sold. Delicious and beautiful. Maybe just a tad salty, though (I say that, because I loved it. And not everyone shares my adoration for sodium).
Lambs Club Salad : Stellar execution of a classic Caesar salad. Yeah, hadn’t planned on a full dinner, and now I sort of regret it.
What did you like?
Everything was really quite good.
What did you dislike?
It’s in midtown.
What was your last impression?
I’m pretty impressed.
Would you come back?
Surprisingly, absolutely.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was a pleasure.
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
Oh look, it’s Pichet Ong!
Please rate the Bar:
Sigh… actually, you know what? We don’t really feel like it today, sorry. Thanks to StumbleUpon being so cool and totally loving on our awesome celebrity listicle thingie, we’ve pretty much satisfied our visitor ‘goal’ for like the rest of the entire year. So we’re taking the day off! Yay!
Thank goodness we found someone percipient enough to fill-in for us! Hooray! Take it awaaay, GastroChic!
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Oh, hmm. Whoops— not much of a drinker here, but she did like the Kin & Tonic! OK, so! Let’s just move it along…
Please rate the Dining Room:
"The green-tinged decor beyond the plate glass windows is sophisticated if casual. The atmosphere… can be at odds with the price point. While the dining room feels feng shui‘d to the nines (or make that the eights), the matching prints running down the wall and green tones everywhere make it seem like a designer quickie job…"
Please rate the BOH:
"Several of the shared entree dishes are in the $20+ range. Harold Dieterle delivers in the dishes we tried, reviving the nearly lost art of authentic Thai food in New York. (And yes, he’s plainly visible in the open kitchen, not hanging out with his friends in the dining room.)"
How was the staff?
"Service, while very friendly and efficient, can be a little too fast. Our appetizers landed before our cocktails, and as the meal progressed, I felt the need to continue chewing just to provide some visual proof that we weren’t finished eating yet, lest the super efficient busboys clear away our plates mid-bite."
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Scallops with Sugar Snap Peas : "There is some sweetness here, but it’s naturally derived from the toasted coconut… The crunch of super fresh snap peas plays off the tenderness of the scallops, set in a peanut-y coconut sauce with flavor hits of Thai basil and kaffir lime."
Spicy Duck Laab Salad : "is indeed spicy – addictively so. You have to keep eating the morsels of ground duck laced with chili and sliced Chinese long beans just to put out the fire."
Steamed Red Snapper : "… marked as spicy [but] unexpectedly mild… in green sauce with cashews, bok choy and kabocha squash [pictured]. This excellent piece of fish benefits from the sweet and sour taste of a classic coconut lime sauce. It doesn’t need to be spicy, though if you actually want your snapper that way, the house-made chili oil and chili flakes on the table will do the trick."
Crab with Pan-Fried Vermicelli Noodles : "exudes that musty umami taste of a good authentic fish sauce and the slow build of hidden spice. The vermicelli are cooked just so, a tangle of elastic noodles netting all the other ingredients. But as a Marylander, I had to ask, where’s the crab at, hon? For $21, we were expecting more of the starring ingredient."
What did you like?
"… that Kin Shop is not for NYU students." [Ha ahaa, OK so we slid that observation in this slot. Couldn't resist.]
What did you dislike?
"If you’re spending over $100 on a meal for two, you want to linger and enjoy your meal. Oddly, I found myself missing the lackadaisical service in Paris."
What was your last impression?
"… we are thrilled to have an authentic Thai place in the neighborhood again, albeit unexpectedly by Top Chef winner Dieterle. This cuisine deserves its own revival, and Kin Shop sends it down the right path."
Would you come back?
"dying to try this place… let me know when you’re ready to go back. Signed, husband allergic to peanuts thus no thai for me."
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks and have a good night!
PX This presents THE F&F REVIEW
Hey, sorry we couldn’t make it to "Friends&Family," we were out of town/ had to work/ not invited. We’re really glad we finally managed to come by, though— it’s so nice to see you!
What’s that? You would still like us to take the time to fill out the F&F survey, because you’d love to take advantage of all our vast experience, knowledge, insight, and expertise as long as we’re already here? Because you invited 75 people to F&F, and afterward all you got was 41 "Congrats[es]!" 22 "Awesome[s]!" 3 "Ciao[s]!" and 9 "Best of luck[s]!" ?
Of course, we’d be honored. Oh ha, yesss, we’ll be honest— brutally honest even, ha ha! After all, that’s what friends & family are for!
No no please, don’t send anything more, we’re stuffed, we can’t breathe, you’ll have to roll us out of here, ha ha ha… !
What was your first impression?
My first impression? –> Oh brother. (They were "closed for a private function from 6 to 8" on my first visit.)
My next first impression: The bartender’s really pretty.
Please rate the Bar:
Not bad. Right away there are certain restaurant-specific details that don’t meet perspicacious-restaurateur standards, so that’s kinda odd. But then again Morandi falls short too, so maybe it’s some kind of bizarro trying-to-be-authentic-Italian (European restaurants are usually a mess) trend— what the hells do I know.
So I guess let’s just say that of the M&M&M’s (Morini, Morandi, and Maialino), Maialino wins. (Maialino is also the only one with proper stemware.)
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
I like the wine list— thoughtful, adventurous, and insightful. And reasonably priced. Especially since the final price printed on my check for my quartino was $2.50 less than the price specified on the list. So I dunno, maybe you wanna run over there and take full advantage before they figure out the discrepancy.
There didn’t seem to be a very many selections on the cocktail list, but now in retrospect, I wonder if I was looking at some kind of "digestif" list instead. It’s likely I have no idea what I’m talking about, so let’s skip this one for now.
Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s… really crammed. Maximizing their square footage while they’re in their new/hot stage? Could be. (Aaaand… again with the restaurant-specific details that are just slightly off.)
Please rate the BOH:
It’s okay.
But I suppose that’s the problem with heightened expectations; consequently, the disappointment is heightened too.
How was the staff?
Overall, satisfactory.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Speck and Bechamel Fritters : Not bad. But see, this is what I mean. Immediately my first thought is: Well, this place is certainly no Marea-Lite.
Polpettine : Good, but hardly extraordinary. Why do I keep looking for a little more oomph? You tell me.
Short curly-ish pasta (the name of which I don’t recall) with sausage and tomato sauce : Okay, now I’m decidedly disappointed. There’s nothing to this dish at all, and frankly it’s sort of bland. I mean, if I’m actually thinking right now that parmesan cheese would have been a vast improvement, that kinda says something. I aint no chef, goddammit. So how come I know for sure even I can make a better pasta than this.
Funghi : Dry, but the flavor’s fine. However— call me crazy, but is this just a wee bit of a gimmick mixing the cheap mushrooms with the more exotic ones? And why quartered, instead of sliced? Presentation-wise, it just seems sloppy. But that could be the whole trying-to-be-authentic-Italian ‘thing’ again. You know, like: when mamma cooks, she doesn’t really give a shit.
Brussel Sprouts : Dry again, but I guess they’re grilled. It’s not the way I prefer them personally, so I’ll just leave it at that.
What did you like?
I liked the white wine I had! I wasn’t familiar with it prior, so I was happy to find it pretty much matched its description perfectly.
What did you dislike?
Uhh… the ghost of Josh Ozersky? Ha ha ahaa, you knooow that mutherfukker probably practically lives here.
(*Side note: A great byproduct of Anne Burrell leaving my beloved Centro— she took her buddy with her.)
What was your last impression?
Tsk tsk, see that’s the problem with OpenTable sometimes. Three people at the podium, all with their faces so firmly planted up in that pie, not a single one of them can be bothered to say "goodnight." (And yeah, I looked back again halfway out the door with it open, and still nobody even glanced our way.)
Would you come back?
Mmm, wellll… if it’s between the Emineminems, it’ll likely be proximity that makes the final decision for me. (That, or my guests.)
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Yah, thanks.
= "personne extraordinaire"