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?
What—? What did she say??
Okay, I admit, I walked into this place because it was mildly intriguing, but I have no idea what the hostess just muttered to me at warp speed. Thanks for the funky ATMish card though, Sweetie, whatever it is! I guess.
Aaand, after a quick, vaguely confused lap around the perimeter… I’m outta here. It’s either too hi-fi or utilitarian or Socialist or something for me. Thank goodness we found someone smart/willing enough to put that Food ATM Automat Charge Card Whatever Thingie to work. Hooray!
Take it awaaay, Gastrochic!
Please rate the Bar:
They have a liquor license! (Dean & DeLuca didn’t, so… nyeah.) And, it’s spacious.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
But, uh… yea… not much of a drinker here… so let’s just move it along…
Please rate the Dining Room:
The light-filled interior, with soaring ceilings and sleek Italian design throughout, sets the stage for what’s actually a very back-to-basics dining experience, though at first glance it seems high tech. After picking up a key card at the door, you take a tray and collect your meal yourself, selecting panini, salads, pizza and pasta from various food stations, where they prepare each dish in front of you and scan the card. If your college dining hall went gourmet, this is what it would be like.
Please rate the BOH:
While the Italian food here doesn’t compare to the city’s best Italian dining establishments, it’s very good for the price. Choose from a number of freshly made pastas and pair it with one of a variety of sauces… Other American “tells” include the huge serving size, which is about twice the amount of food you’d be served in Italy, containers of Parmesan, oregano and chili flakes near the pizza station and the staff’s weird insistence that I must want bread with my pasta… Though it doesn’t exactly conform to the slow food-esque motto “chi va piano, va sano e lontano” (roughly “he who goes gently/slowly goes healthfully for a long time”), Vapiano pays much more attention to the food itself than other fast casual chains.
(… More alarming is the menu of “signature” pastas, one of which includes chicken, orange-chili sauce and bok choi, a blasphemous combination that would surely would be banned in Italy.)
How was the staff?
Umm, they’re kinda… N/A? Ya know, what with the EZ Pass thingie and whatnot. They’re so DIY that when I asked for the rest of my meal to be wrapped up to go, they just brought me these space-age containers and just had me pour the pasta in myself.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Though pasta is Vapiano’s specialty, they were out of three of them on the day we visited, so the ravioli with ricotta and spinach was not an option. Penne with Bolognese sauce ($11.95) would have to be the litmus test, even though it’s too wintry a dish for this time of year. Vapiano’s is a classic bolognese with crumbled pork and beef stewed in tomato sauce with carrots, celery, fresh rosemary and basil. This is no Babbo or Lupa version – it’s missing the depth and subtlety – but it’s very fresh and pleasing.
Caprese Salad : arrives beautifully presented on the plate, and the chef asks if you would like balsamic vinegar before adding it – it’s not always part of a true caprese salad. Unfortunately the mozzarella itself is only so-so: it doesn’t have the tang of bufala mozzarella or the creaminess of burrata.
What did you like?
They really have a knack for marketing? (Also, it seems to be a chick-magnet.)
What did you dislike?
The food at Vapiano (handled by a CIA grad) may be radically different, with a focus on fresh, natural ingredients, but there’s a certain manufactured quality to the atmosphere, which strikes a balance between stimulating but comforting, familiar but exotic. And every Vapiano looks just like the 70 other locations around the world, so you always know exactly what your experience will be. Perhaps more insidiously, this place targets a market that believes itself to be above chains. As the website boasts, “Vapiano is a very urban concept for young professionals, consisting of over sixty percent female clientele.”
What was your last impression?
Vapiano is enjoyable while it lasts, but when you leave, you may feel a nagging sense of fast-casual remorse. The target market gets up from Don Draper’s bed, adjusts her dress and heads for the door.
Would you come back?
I’ll let you guess…
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Ciao! Peace out.
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?
Well, it looks "Moroccan," all right.
Please rate the Bar:
Not bad. Welcoming. Spacious enough. Pretty comfortable. And the bartender is very nice, if not entirely adept (could use a little more time getting used to the POS system).
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Evidently, it was their "first day" with liquor— so that meant ix-nay on the arnishes-gay, as in no muddled grapes for that "St Tropez." (No olives for a martini, either.) They do however, have limes for their margarita so ha aha… olé!
Prices are reasonable at about $10 per cocktail and similarly averaged for wines by the glass. Plus the wine list is relatively diverse (if not particularly adventurous) with a pleasantly fine value in most of the selection.
Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s… okay. Hardly imaginative, but maybe that makes it more umm… authentic?
Please rate the BOH:
It’s quite good. But I admit I came in with pretty high expectations. I mean after all, I’m verrry familiar with the three-star work of Chef Rick Laakonen. You might even say I’m a fan. So I always did kinda wonder whatever happened to Rick Laakonen? It’s like he poof! vanished off the face of the earth or something.
Well! Now he’s… back?
How was the staff?
Fine. Wholly proficient in that "authentic" kind of way. Yah, let’s just say it’s much more Mediterranean and sorta much less "bistro."
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Chicken Briwatt : Very good. Delicate yet hearty— but, I am a total sucker for phyllo. Great yogurt sauce too.
Crepe with ham, chicken, some kind of cheese, etc etc : Delicious. Exotic yet approachable. Despite its somewhat overwrought appearance, the flavors are actually distinctive in their congruence— if that makes any sense.
Grilled Octopus and Manila Clams Ragout : Also very good. Perfectly tender seafood. Savory and flavorful. Rustic but intricate all at the same time.
Beet and Goat Cheese Salad : Good. The least exciting/creative dish, but still a cut above most. Two kinds of beets, two types of prep. Fresh and tasty.
Black Kale with Pancetta : Fine. Expertly prepared, but the pancetta doesn’t quite add all the saltiness that’s likely intended. Just a wee bland.
What did you like?
The food was good. Maybe not as mind-blowing as I’d hoped, but really very solid and appealing.
What did you dislike?
Well, a really great martini would have hit the spot…
What was your last impression?
Actually, I wonder if Rick Laakonen is even here tonight. Everything was perfectly satisfactory, but there’s like a "spark" missing…
Would you come back?
The burger and the lamb— I already know what I’m going to order next time.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Oh, you will.
:)
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, style-wise, it’s no Kyochon…
Please rate the Bar:
Eh. A little disappointing, coming from the Koreans— cuz everybody knows Koreans loooves them some restaurant architecture. And drinking.
It’s actually not even a bar as much as a walk-up to-go counter with liquor stashed behind it.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Eh, again. For all those dozen or so selections of beer, how come only one of them is light (Amstel)? As for the liquor— bleah. Eight kinds of Absolut and three kinds of Patron. No other brands of vodka or tequila at all. I mean, need I say more? Technically, it is a "full bar" though (without any wine. But considering the potential inventory, maybe that’s a good thing).
Please rate the Dining Room:
It’s… pragmatic? Yeah, let’s say that.
Please rate the BOH:
Well, they make some damned good chicken! And that’s pretty much all that matters, really.
How was the staff?
One guy was very nice and super-conscientious. Everyone else was okay.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Wings. Spicy. : Dude, at this point, I’m already a BonChon expert, I don’t mess around. And yup, they were delicious!
Zucchini fries : Good! And the serving size is enormous. Great horseradish sauce.
What did you like?
It’s BonChon. What’s not to like?
What did you dislike?
I was really kinda psyched for some crazy Asian space design. If the Koreans can’t bring you some far-out Disco Chicken, then absolutely nobody else can. Siiigh.
What was your last impression?
Wings, spicy, LARGE— to go, please!
Would you come back?
Boka is much closer…
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks. Rock on, Bon Chon.
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?
It’s not "between 10th and 11th Aves." It’s actually on the corner of 11th Ave.
Please rate the Bar:
It’s… cute?
And, to make a long story short, you’ll like it much much better if you have absolutely no expectations. Wait, scratch that— more like: you’ll like it much much better if you go in expecting it to be "fabulous."
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
The wine list is pretty decent— diverse with some nice selections at relatively fair prices. (Especially if you keep in mind how "fabulous" this place is.) The cocktails list, likewise, has a good combination of classic and unique concoctions. If, however, you’re a discerning drinker, keep an eye out for last minute substitutions. Like, for example, if they "ran out" of "Reposado Tequila," they just may decide to throw Montezuma in there instead. If this is the type of thing that doesn’t remotely faze you, you’re good. Otherwise, you might want to point out the oversight.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Not bad. An astute enough utilization of the spare-ish square footage. It’s "fabulous."
Please rate the BOH:
Better than I expected, although I didn’t have much. I mean, come on, who orders food in a "fabulous" place? The two things I tried were pretty good, though…
How was the staff?
Ha ha ha ahaah. They’re "fabulous."
Dude, what can I say. They’re of the species that you either utterly despise or feel right at home and most comfortable amongst. So ya know— if your digs away from your crib include places like La Esquina, Indochine, Kenmare, Rose Bar, The Box, The Boom Boom, etc— come on down, your peeps are waiting for you. But if you’re the type who enjoys playing interweb BINGO for a Ko reservation or standing patiently in line for a seat at Market Table, maybe save your time and energy and go to a Danny Meyer instead.
(P.S. This whole rigmarole about the "artists," by the way— uhh, yah. Suuure. If you’re an artist represented by Vito Schnabel maybe.)
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Sauteed Shishito Peppers : Fine. All that soy sauce is actually less obtrusive than you’d think.
Caramelized Pork Belly and Watermelon : Pretty good. Nice presentation, but just a wee more caramelization would have made a significant difference. Just a tad too mushy.
What did you like?
The bartender turned out to be a rather nice and fascinating person. No, really.
What did you dislike?
Well, had I known in advance, I would have worn my "fabulous" skin… And just come for a drink with a group of friends. Maybe later in the evening. Or something.
What was your last impression?
Who’s the umm "consultant," again? Cuz clearly, that’s quite relevant.
Would you come back?
Is somebody I know gonna drag me back here eventually? I’m thinking it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks. Oh, and good luck with your "real life" thing…
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?
It’s big! And RED…
Please rate the Bar:
Fine. Commodious, welcoming, and clean despite its clutteriness. And the bartender is affable and proficient enough, if not particularly effusive.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
The cocktail list is decent, all the staple Latin American favorites with a twist or two thrown in. Well priced at around $11 to $12. Good and ample collection of Spanish and Latin American wines, also fairly priced with a nice balance in the range. Surprisingly (and percipiently), even some suitable sakes offered!
Please rate the Dining Room:
Snazzy! Somebody spent some money up in here, all right.
Also: smart. All the important details are quite proper. Clearly some experienced restaurant architecture at work here (mostly in Las Vegas perhaps, but still…)
Please rate the BOH:
Ohh, man. What a team. First-rate, top-notch, super duper A-1…
How was the staff?
Satisfactory. They try hard. A little stiff and corporate in their demeanor, but maybe the Flatiron District likes that stuff (or maybe they were all flown in from Las Vegas along with the architect). Ha ha, graduates of the BR Guest School of Hospitality— you know the type. Overall, a B+.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Sea Urchin Ceviche : Holy cow. Just from this dish alone, I’m just about ready to move in.
Foie Gras Croquettas : Wow. OK, somebody remind me who the chef is again?
Chupe de Camarones : Whaaat? Where am I…?! OK, I’m sold! Stop it, I feel woozy…
Octopus and Pork Belly Anticuchos : Eh, OK. Maybe not as mind-blowing as the others, but for something so simple, it’s very well done. Flavorful despite its starkness.
Oxtail Empanadas : Outstanding. Succulent and tender and expertly executed.
Suckling Pig Bocadillo : Very good. Love the artful play on such an approachable dish.
Hamachi Ceviche : Superb. Fresh, delicious, and generous. A really great value for the $15 price tag. Normally, I’d say I’m more of a ceviche purist, so the "sour orange basil" in the description initially struck me as somewhat pretentious and just a tad silly. Well, I was wrong. [These stunts are performed by professionals. Do not try this at home.]
Bacalhau Buñuelos : Dude, I don’t even like bacalhau that much generally, but this is really delicious and perfect. The texture is fantastic.
Corn Gratin : Hee hee. I mean, this is just a side dish. I don’t even know what more to say, all I wanna do is giggle in contentment.
What did you like?
Just about everything.
What did you dislike?
Well, OK, can’t say I’m such a fan of all the RED, but don’t mind me. I’ll deal.
What was your last impression?
Even the bathrooms are great.
Would you come back?
Oh, hells yeah.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you, it was a pleasure. Really.
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?
Cute.
Please rate the Bar:
Fine. Spacious, welcoming, comfortable, clean. And the bartender is affable and enthusiastic enough, if not exactly meticulous.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Good. Decent assortment of wine, unless you take seriously into account the vintners "are all women" (their first names even appear on the list alongside the description of their offerings). Not quite sure how those women feel about their wines being served in rocks glasses, but I guess you’ll have to ask them. Drink prices by the glass are "tasting" size; bottle prices are fair-ish, all relatively square in the mid-range. A bit more diversity would have been nice (especially for a "wine bar"), but the good bones are there; maybe they’ll expand eventually.
The cocktail list (not on the menu but on the wall behind you) is all classics, but the execution is proficient.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Also cute. Imaginative and creative. Nice use of spare square footage. Cozy and casual but not cramped.
Please rate the BOH:
N/A; technically the BOH is in the FOH.
And uh, it’s… uh… "not a restaurant," remember? Definitely keep that in mind.
How was the staff?
Satisfactory. Both of them. Ha ha.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
San Daniele with homemade breadsticks : OK. Personally, I’m not a particularly huge fan of the San Daniele, but it’s adequate enough. Great for nibbling/drinking.
Melanzane with Goat Cheese : Not bad. Is it made in a toaster oven? That would be kind of impressive I suppose.
Polpette : Uhh… yeah. This one needs a re-think. And they know why, come on now. If I say any more than that, I would need a consultation fee.
But just an illustration, I no longer have any confidence/interest in ordering the crab cakes or vegetable lasagna, both of which I had been considering. Next time (if there’s a next time), I’ll likely stick to the cheese and salumi.
What did you like?
The location. The ambience. And the wine (I tried four varietals) was pretty good.
What did you dislike?
Oi, those meatballs…
What was your last impression?
… and what’s with the music?
Would you come back?
Sigh. Maybe…
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks and best of luck.
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, the hostesses (an army of them!) are really friendly.
And also: Huh, this is… different? Especially for this part of town.
Please rate the Bar:
Not bad. Spacious, clean, commodious. If I lived and/or worked in the area, I’d come here.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Fine, I suppose. The cocktails list is relatively diverse, if not exactly inventive. Odd choice of "calls" mentioned in the recipes, though. Then again, it’s a W— so there is that.
Oh damn, I forgot to look at the wine list (the space isn’t quite conducive to it). Then again, it’s a W— so I’m sure I’ve already seen the list in some other hotel.
Please rate the Dining Room:
I gather there must be a whole other dining room upstairs, because the "dining room" downstairs is rather small (the bar takes up most of the expanse).
But as for downstairs, I rather like it. Personally, I find the artwork doodles on the walls really appealing (very Mama Shelter. Or ya know, Trattoria Bagutta maybe).
Please rate the BOH:
Very good. Sorry, Laurent! I was wondering if I’d detect your umm "absence," but uh… no, I don’t. Granted, the menu is hardly creative, but the execution is outstanding (particularly for a place that just opened). It’s probably not everybody’s cup of tea— if you only dine out once a month or less, it’s likely not the place for you. If, however, you eat out nearly every day, it’s perfect. Any place that has the balls to serve sandwiches for dinner is OK by me. (Then again, it’s a hotel… and a W no less, so maybe I’m giving the BOH too much credit for their courageousness). But seriously though, I don’t know how many nights I’ve said to myself, "I wish there were a nice quality place where I could go and just have a really good sandwich (and no, I don’t mean a fucking burger) and a solid first-rate drink. In a cool environment." I defy you to come up with a place. E-mail me if you think of one.
How was the staff?
Very good. Overall, enthusiastic, proficient, and conscientious. Everyone. Even the busboy.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Deviled Eggs with Tabasco : Scrumptious. Fresh. Flavorful. And not a bad price at all for three (overstuffed) halves.
Caesar Salad : Oh, be quiet. Caesar Salad is a great way to evaluate a BOH’s standards. You would be amazed (or not) how many places can fuck up a Caesar Salad, and badly. Especially hotels.
But, this one passes the test with flying colors. I mean, are those actually finely chopped white anchovies mixed into the dressing? I was starting to think they threw out that recipe in all the culinary schools.
Even the croutons are good.
Tuna Tartare : Yah, are you seeing the pattern in the menu here? Whatever, it’s delicious. Very fresh. A little overkill on the ice platter maybe, but I can live with it.
Strip Steak : Very good. Nice quality, tender, perfectly cooked. Tasty "cognac green-peppercorn sauce." Pretty fairly priced at $34.
Sauteed Creamy Spinach : Not so creamy actually. The only item that didn’t quite impress me. Decent flavor but too-mushy texture. I mean, come on— anybody who orders creamed spinach is obviously not afraid of cream, butter, or calories. Don’t get all scaredy-cat and wishy-washy with the stuff. Better to offer the options of "with cholesterol" or "without" instead.
What did you like?
It was pretty much all satisfactory.
What did you dislike?
It’s sooooo far away! What the hell is Albany Street?
What was your last impression?
Oooh, Paul Liebrandt! Third time now…
Would you come back?
If it weren’t so far away, I’d probably come once a week. No, seriously.
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?
Cute. Oops, and… hot. Opening pains, no AC. But the jumbo industrial fans seem to be doing a decent job, considering. (Or ha ha, maybe I’m just grateful for the effort. Come on, Paris— get your shit together. These guys are European; now you really have no excuse.)
Please rate the Bar:
Decent. On the small side, but accommodating enough. Clean, organized, and the bartender is proficient if not particularly effusive.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Good. Usually, I’m a vodka/rocks kind of guy, but lately this interminable heatwave has me really appreciating outdoor cafés in the midday hours. What’s more refreshing than an aperitivo when the sun starts to subside? You’re throroughly wilted; now you need a pick me up.
Anyway, my point is: I’ve gained a fondness for the various Aperol/Cynar concoctions around town— and La Gazzetta’s ‘La Gazzetta’ is no exception. Made with rum and crushed wild cherries, it won me over at the first sip. The fresh watermelon margarita was good, too. Nice ingredients on the list overall, and the price range is suitable if not especially a bargain. The wines "from the barrel" however, are a bit more accessible.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Well done. Comfortable. Simple but creative. Definitely some ample experience in restaurant design at work here. All the little details are just right (save for the "temporary glitch" with the HVAC, I mean. Apparently, that will be "fixed by next week.")
Please rate the BOH:
Very good. Better than I’d expected actually. The menu is hardly imaginative— just a reflection of the very numerous Italian trattorias already dotting the area below 14th St. But, there’s obviously a very skilled and meticulous hand at work here. The freshness, deliciousness, and conscientiousness more than make up for the dearth of ingenuity. (Ha, sometimes ingenuity can be your worst enemy.) Lots and lots of potential here.
How was the staff?
Enthusiastic and amiable. And clearly of the more international variety.
It’s cute and kind of endearing; it just adds to the authenticity.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Prosciutto Cotto and Fontina Paninetti : Uh, it’s delicious, but did somebody get my order wrong? Because this tastes a little more like the "San Daniele and Mozzarella" selection. Oh well, at least it’s good, and I’m too lazy to send it back and wait for another. Also, I was expecting more of a flatbread— but only because the menu states the "paninetti" is served on "flatbread," contrary to say, the "panini" for example.
But again, whatever. If I weren’t enjoying it, I could be a bit annoyed. To their credit, I’m not at all.
Lentil Salad : Very good. But somehow, I must have completely missed the diminutive "cotechino" elaborative description underneath, because I was very (pleasantly) surprised to find a big sausage on top. Just a warning— to a meat eater it was bliss; to a vegan, maybe not so much.
But the execution was delectable, and in retrospect, a good offering for the price.
Chicken and Pepperoni Tramezzini : Good, but I don’t quite detect the pepperoni, which is what I found slightly intriguing. But still yummy and good for nibbling. (Excuse me, I’ll have another La Gazzetta, please…)
Polpette : Very good. Tasty, hearty, scrumptious. But I mean, really— who doesn’t love a good meatball?
I really wanted to try the "Eggs Benedict" next : But urgh, I’m stuffed. The description of "pizza bianca, cotto, and fonduta" sounds really alluring though, especially given the quality I’ve experienced thus far. I’m jumping ahead, but yeah, I’ll be back for that one.
What did you like?
It was pretty much all satisfactory.
What did you dislike?
I don’t normally care much for AC, but in 95+ degree weather…
What was your last impression?
Finally, this one might actually have a good shot at working here.
Would you come back?
Mmmm bennnediiict….
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. This is… different.
Please rate the Bar:
The bar itself? Is a little odd. But maybe only because when you’re sitting at the "bar" that just looks like the bar and is located across the bar, but really is actually a dining counter, you can get a bit confused. So basically, from where I was sitting, which I thought was the bar, which was not actually the bar, the actual bar looked pretty good. I guess.
Except the seats are very poorly built and a wee nonsensical.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Well, apparently the fancy shmancy cocktails already got some hoopla in some sort of newspaper, so I was already warned about their fancy-shmanciness. So, I suppose I wasn’t disappointed!
Pretty creative presentation all right, and the recipes are somehwat intriguing if you’re the type that’s into that sort of thing. Me— I’m a vodka/rocks kinda guy— so the genuine rock in place of my "rocks" was uh… amusing at best. (Vermouth "soaked" rock, huh? Squeeze some blood out of that thing, then maybe I’ll be impressed.)
Otherwise, A for effort! Or maybe A-, because all that rigmarole is expensive (app. $15 per drink).
Please rate the Dining Room:
Is it finished?
No really, I’m really truly not quite sure whether all that exposed plywood on the banquettes is intentional or not. However, considering the poor design of the bar/"bar" stools, I wouldn’t be surprised.
So, yeah— it’s… different. Not exactly the design choices I would make personally, but hey. I didn’t have to pay for it— and diversity is what makes the world go round! Right?
Please rate the BOH:
I admit I don’t know anything at all about the chef; I didn’t bother to do any research before or after my dining experience. But if I had to guess, I would say it’s probably a true-blood Italian trained in French culinary techniques. Am I right? Did I win?
There’s a lot to appreciate about the menu, and certainly the artful presentation, but the execution could maybe use just a little more time and/or work. The potential is definitely there; it’s the conception that might need a tad more revisiting. If I said anymore than that, I’d need a consultation fee.
How was the staff?
Good. Friendly, adept, and conscientious. Also, very European.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Baby Artichoke Croquettes : Very good. Easily my favorite of all the dishes I tried. Tasty, aromatic, rich in flavor but delicate. (But now in retrospect, I’m not sure whether it was good or bad to start, rather than end, on a high note.)
Steamed Octopus and Potato : Ah, a very Italian dish, but at this point I’m really starting to see the French coming out. Also very good, tender succulent octopus (especially for such a big old creature). The little bit of pesto turns out to be a nice touch. Eat it fast, though— once it cools down, not so appealing.
Pork Belly with Head On Shrimp and Chickpea Puree : Sounds weird, right? And yeah, it kind of is. The shrimp is tender but slight too salty (and for a salt lover like me, that’s saying a lot). But the pork belly is eh. Is it boiled? The flavor isn’t awful, but the texture is… not so good. Give me a great caramelized pork belly, and I’ll eat it ’til the pig screams for mercy. But not in this bizarre cube-like rubbery style.
Porcini, Arugula and Avocado Salad :Cold mushrooms? Bleeah. And the cauliflower, too— over-refrigerated. ‘Shame.
Tuna tartare : OK. Decent. Pretty to look at.
What did you like?
Those artichoke croquettes were slammin’.
What did you dislike?
The ambience is not for me.
What was your last impression?
People and their ideas…
Would you come back?
I’ll let you guess.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, and best of luck.
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?
cute.
Please rate the Bar:
N/A— in a way; the bar is essentially more like a "to go" counter that happens to store liquor. good thing they have lots of tables (in the summer, that is).
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
the cocktail list is a bit contrived in that hotelesque kind of way; it’s trite but sorta tries to pretend otherwise. also, opt for wines by the glass instead of by the bottle— a glass of ChateauMinuty e.g., is $9, but the bottle is $60. so ya know, figure that one out. no wait don’t bother, save your brain energy, i’ll just lay it out for you. it’s HotelGansevoort— in the meatpacking district. make sense to ya now? yah i thought so.
Please rate the Dining Room:
i kinda like it. it’s simple but aesthetically pleasing. spacious, comfortable— and it’s a pretty nice view.
Please rate the BOH:
it’s very… hotel. all the tourist favorites are here— caesar salad, turkey panini, lobster club, burger etc, with the unique addition of crepes. the presentation is hardly creative (except for maybe the dried strawberries in the side salads), but it’s not bad. and the prices are pretty reasonable.
How was the staff?
nice. amiable, professional, conscientious.
personally it’s my opinion the host should maybe rein it in just a wee bit addressing all the passersby. i realize it’s the Gansevoort but hello— this aint miami. if you want to give our fair visitors the true downtown new york experience, you have to be a little more haughty and elitist than that, come on now.
but overall i’d say they get a B+ or perhaps even an A-
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
i tried the turkey panini, pat-lafrieda "cafe" burger, and spinach/mushroom crepe. and it was all okay— rather european in the execution actually. certainly none of it is earth-shattering, but that’s likely not their intent anyway. it’s perfectly fine hotel fare, but it won’t exactly compete with its neighbors at this level. luckily for them, it probably doesn’t have to.
What did you like?
the ambience.
What did you dislike?
nothing really. but i mean— i didn’t have very high expectations.
What was your last impression?
it’s a very pleasant place to relax for a drink.
Would you come back?
if i were in the area already? sure.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
thank you and have a good day.
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 gee, this is unique. (That’s sarcasm.)
Please rate the Bar:
It’s… typical. (See: The Waverly Inn, Monkey Bar, Minetta Tavern, Hotel Griffou, Abe & Arthur’s, East Side Social Club, Vintry Wine & Whiskey, Rabbit in the Moon…)
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Oh come on, really? See above.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Smaller than you imagine. Remember how expansive was Village’s dining room? Well, now it seems as though a lot of that is now the open kitchen— which sort of makes you wonder where the kitchen was before. The high ceiling makes it seem much more capacious than the room actually accommodates, and yet, for some reason, less spacious than its prior incarnation. (Dude, maybe it’s like totally an optical illusion!)
Also: see above.
Please rate the BOH:
Ha ha ha ha. See: the first half of above.
I mean seriously though, what is it you expect from this review anyway? An epiphany? You know you’re not going for the food.
Oh wait, I got something BOH for ya. Remember back when someone kept sending e-mails to us, claiming that chef John deLucie was actually not "on leave" from The Waverly Inn as was reported but was, in essence, "fired"? And then deLucie responded via text message refuting those claims? Well, it turns out— apparently, he lied. (So, to whomever was so generously trying to apprise us of the paradox all along: Our bad!)
How was the staff?
Fine. Especially considering it’s pretty much everyone you already know. Which, ya know, can be a good thing. Or sometimes… not. LOL!
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Tuna Tartare, Beet Salad, Pappardelle, Burger / Oh, like you care.
I mean seriously though, what is it you expect from this review anyway? An epiphany? You know you’re not going for the food. Which is probably a good thing, because you’ve had all this stuff already. Yeh, the biscuits too.
What did you like?
It’s conveniently located?
What did you dislike?
The redundancy.
What was your last impression?
"Been there. Done that." That proves I’m fierce, right?
Would you come back?
Hmm, maybe I’ll just wait for the next place just like this to open. It’ll be what— 4 to 6 months, tops?
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Ha ha ha, I’m sure you will! At the next place. Anna Wintour’s maybe.
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?
Out on the sidewalk standing in front of the place? Uh… Wow.
Inside the door? Huh… Not bad.
Please rate the Bar:
Nice. Spacious, comfortable, accommodating and clean, if not entirely welcoming. The bartenders are a bit frosty at first, but they warm up after a minute or so.
The glassware is… Eh.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Selections are sparse and somewhat trite… for now. I get the distinct impression they’re still feeling their way though ("… the cocktail list is pretty much what you see on the shelves…"). I mean, the liquor assortment is so oddly curated, they may very well just be sales samples from purveyors. (Hey, waste not, want not, right?)
I’d give them a little more time to sort it out.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Better than you’d think from the outside. Cozy, if you like the darkness. But, the downstairs "lounge" area is prettier and more creative than the upstairs dining room.
Please rate the BOH:
Very good. Lots and lots of potential here. The menu is relatively scant (for now?) and decidedly far more artistic than the "gastro-pub" description would have you believe. Much more impressive than I’d expected (given the operators’ pedigrees). Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
How was the staff?
Fine. Proficient and experienced, if not particularly amiable. A few familiar faces; been around the block a time or two…
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Foie Gras Torchon : Good. Nice presentation. Flavorful.
Salmon Tartare : Also good. Fresh, tasty. Personally, could have done without the fruit (not my thing), but the orange slices were not a terrible addition. Again, very nice execution.
Sturgeon Salad : Excellent. Different; not what I imagined at all. Love the poached egg "surprise." And the whole thing perfectly fried like that? Beautiful.
Bangers and Mash : If there’s one thing of which I’ll likely never tire in restaurants, it’s simple homestyle dishes done exceptionally well. Delicious.
What did you like?
That sturgeon salad was pretty impressive. The mashed potatoes were great too. Actually, I liked it all.
What did you dislike?
Oh dude, that facade… (But, I’ll live).
What was your last impression?
Go, Rocco?
Would you come back?
Sure.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thanks, and all the best…
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… !
Mastro’s Ocean Club (Las Vegas)
What was your first impression?
♪♪ "i shutting shit down at the mallllll…" ♪♪ haaa. just kidding.
Please rate the Bar:
nice. welcoming, capacious, and comfortable, if not exceptionally orderly. and the bartender is good. competent, amicable, and knowledgeable but not particularly effusive.
great lighting! ha aha ahaa everyone’s a beauty here… and umm, let’s just say las vegas isn’t exactly overcome with those.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
wow that’s a lotta liquor. and do my eyes deceive me or are they actually pouring Chopin out of the well. now that’s impressive. the wine list is decent— adequately diverse and judiciously priced, something nice for every budget.
Please rate the Dining Room:
it’s… different. great view of the… LouisVuitton boutique? and the sculpture structure thingie that makes up the "walls" must have cost a fortune. welcome to las vegas!
Please rate the BOH:
not bad. but not nearly as good as i expected, considering the glowing recommendation that came via a "born and raised" las vegas (F&B) native. so that’s a bit of a disappointment.
but on the upside, it’s actually rather reasonably priced.
How was the staff?
overall, good. perfectly adept but inconspicuous. maybe a B or B+.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
escargot : classic. good. flavorful, but not extraordinary.
lobster bisque: very good. rich, hearty, delicious. unusually generous portion of lobster meat. (and at only $12.95? — huh.)
ahi tuna tartare : good fresh tuna, but the presentation is somewhat silly, what with the layers and the crunchy chinese "noodles" and whatnot. overkill.
halibut fish & chips : pretty good. huge. not astounding but certainly satisfactory, and who doesn’t love a fancy fish and chip?
sauteed mushrooms : great aroma but aww— "farmed" mushrooms? bleah. i should have gone with the gorgonzola mac&cheese or the wasabi mashed potatoes instead. but now i’m too stuffed.
What did you like?
uhh, the lighting? (hey, you try catching yourself in mirrors all over las vegas hotels and casinos. i swear you never knew you were so damned ugly.) the ambience sorta grows on you…
What did you dislike?
i really wish the food were as good as the endorsement.
What was your last impression?
i can’t breathe…
Would you come back?
probably.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
thank you, 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?
it looks good…
Please rate the Bar:
it’s small, particularly given the total square footage of the space and las vegas’s proclivity for massively sized things. the bar/lounge area overall however is spacious and comfortable, which is nice. personally, i feel it’s much more appealing than the main dining room, which seems far less welcoming and dispassionate in comparison.
oh but for the love of gawd what is with the fucking slop light almost everywheres you go? welcome to las vegas— no self respecting restaurateur in NYC would ever…
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
sake! well that’s a noteworthy twist. ha ha ahaa for all the love the chinese get in vegas (seriously, just for a goof— go anywhere and ask for a cup of tea. and then watch them scurry to proudly bring you the "tea menu"), the japanese are clearly the second-class asian around these parts.
admittedly, i was so distracted by the sake, i completely forgot to look at the wine/cocktail list. but i mean, it’s a steak house, and it’s wolfgang-puck— exactly how disparate do you think they’d be, really.
Please rate the Dining Room:
typically big, and kinda "corporate." i like the anteroom much better.
Please rate the BOH:
dude, it’s wolfgang-puck. so, ya know— like that. a step above USHG… maybe somewhere in the DinexGroup stratum. (fourth day straight of F&F las vegas reviews; i’m getting a little tired of using the same adjectives over and over and over again.)
How was the staff?
dude, it’s wolfgang-puck. so, ya know— like that. a step above B.R.Guest… somewhere in the USHG stratum. (fourth day straight of F&F las vegas reviews; i’m getting a little tired of using the same adjectives over and over and over again.)
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
burrata and prosciutto di parma : good. very fresh. quite a large portion. but not particularly astounding.
bone marrow flan : nice. tasty. maybe needs jussst a little touch of salt— until you try it with the mushroom marmalade. then it’s really absolutely delicious.
fava bean salad : good. light, flavorful, slightly tart. nice texture composite.
new york sirloin tasting : i guess— perfect for anybody in las vegas who really likes steak but doesn’t necessarily want to eat one the size of one’s head. usually, i’m a porterhouse and/or bone-in ribeye kind of girl, but this menu pretty much scared me. i mean, i knooow vegas is a fatty meat lovers’ paradise (and they have their own way of doing things here), but personally i’ve never a seen a place actually brag about corn fed beef before.
anyways, of all the beefs on my plate (japanese wagyu, american "kobe style," and USDA prime dry age) the wagyu was far and away the standout. of course.
creamed spinach with fried egg : the waiter recommended this as his "favorite side," but the spinach was way too pureed for me. spinach mush. but flavorful enough.
What did you like?
the wagyu was really quite good.
What did you dislike?
umm, the slop light drives me nutso?
What was your last impression?
i once told emeril-lagasse Delmonico is my favoritest steakhouse ever. should i have gone back there instead? it’s been so long…
Would you come back?
maybe.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
thank you.
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… !
Guy Savoy – Bubble Bar (Las Vegas)
What was your first impression?
huh. this is kinda… ugly, actually. i mean, the little fireplace thingie is sort of nice (?) i guess, but the polar bear head encased in the plexiglas is just a bit silly. and the crates stacked in the corner aren’t quite as cute as i suppose they’re meant to be.
Please rate the Bar:
the bar itself is underwhelming, unwelcoming, and uncomfortable. there’s no bartender— it’s up to the (lone) hostess to serve you.
now, i totally "get" it’s a champagne bar, but believe it or not, there is a difference between simple and ordinary. here’s a hint: at least one of those shouldn’t cost millions to build. when it does, it’s beyond "ordinary" or "simple"— then it’s just stupid.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
cocktails are n/a. and since i’m not such a fan of champagne generally, i opted for a glass of sauvignon blanc (from sancerre) off the sparse ‘by the glass’ menu. i was a bit surprised when i’d turned my head for a moment and then turned back realizing both our glasses had been fully poured without a taste first (i’m not fussy, but i mean, this is GuySavoy, right?) but then i remembered the poor girl had to leave her post at the hostess stand for this and was perhaps unaccustomed to serving wine at all. well, it ended up being unfortunate, cuz the wine had turned already. i felt a prick of compunction at returning two full glasses of wine, so i asked for a sommelier to come and confirm the wine had indeed gone bad. the hostess was very nice and replaced the glasses immediately, but it did make me curious… no sommelier at Guy Savoy? or is the Bubble Bar simply unworthy?
Please rate the Dining Room:
not my style. at all. which is why i opted for Bubble Bar in the first place.
as a person who’s spent 20+ years within the industry and currently dines out nearly every night of my life, a subdued grandiloquent four hour dining experience is nothing short of sheer torture for me. but i’d heard such good things about GuySavoy, i figured it might be travesty to leave las vegas without at least a sampling.
sigh…
Please rate the BOH:
like i need the fucking hate mail from hysterical foodies, right? puhleese, spare me that much.
alls i’m a say is: personally, i wish i’d gone back to Sage instead.
How was the staff?
she was a perfectly proficient hostess/bartender/waitress, but maybe just a wee icy. but it was rather amusing how the back waiters from the dining room who occasionally came to fetch the table accoutrements (all the fancy salt and pepper ramekins for the tables are stored behind the bar, bottom shelf, below the row of cognacs) seemed rather unnerved by our presence.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
the oysters in ice gelée, the "mosaic" of poularde, foie gras, and black truffle, and beef tartare with little potato croquettes. yessss, i realize these are hardly the world renowned signature "colors of caviar" or whatever the hells (bad me. bad me.) but umm— foie gras and tartare— these just happen to be the same things i ate last night at Sage. and yah, Sage was better. so maybe if i hadn’t dined there the prior evening, i would have enjoyed GuySavoy more? i’m not sure, quite frankly.
What did you like?
that now i get to say i’ve been here.
What did you dislike?
overall, i can’t exactly say it was an enjoyable experience. although it was interesting…
What was your last impression?
i’m rather glad i didn’t opt for the full dinner. (and the professional in me can only conclude the Bubble Bar, as ill-conceived and ill-managed as it is, could very well be the bane of their endeavors.)
Would you come back?
i’m afraid not, but thank you.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
well that’s sweet of you to say. 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?
isn’t this elegant.
Please rate the Bar:
nice. tasteful, welcoming, capacious, very comfortable. and the bartender is charming, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. humorous even.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
very healthy and diverse list of wine and beer— impressive and reasonably priced. brief cocktails list is comprised mostly of classics with a refined touch. sophisticated selections all around; i’d say arguably one of the most superlative bars in las vegas.
Please rate the Dining Room:
i like the front bar/dining area better, as the rear dining room seems a bit more austere— and personally i think the ample square footage could have been utilized better. it simply lacks the warmth and seductiveness of the anteroom. feels vaguely corporate.
Please rate the BOH:
excellent. we chose Sage because it was recommended by a friend in the las vegas F&B industry as "the best of all the restaurants at CityCenter"— and after having tried it, i wholeheartedly believe it. i would go so far as to say Sage ranks as one of the best restaurants i’ve experienced anywhere, ever.
hell, even the bread service was distinctive.
How was the staff?
good. highly proficient but perfectly at ease. adroit but unceremonious.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
the slow-poached egg, the yellowtail crudo, the wagyu beef tartare, the foie gras custard brulee, and the roasted sweetbreads, and everything was quite exceptional (and tremendously rich)— with the foie gras and the tartare being the stellar standouts. only the fussiness of the crudo made me apprehensive, but after one bite i got over it quick.
undoubtedly one of the most spectacular meals i’ve ever had, and technically, i didn’t even have an entree. alas, so many restaurants to try and so little time…
What did you like?
pretty much everything.
What did you dislike?
i’m too stuffed to eat anything else.
What was your last impression?
i’m so glad i came.
Would you come back?
absolutely.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
thank you, it was a pleasure.
= "personne extraordinaire"