Welcome to: Where I Spent My Day Off —by a NYC Restaurant "Insider"
So, what do you do in the industry?
I’m a Maitre d’ for a 110+ seater in a well-known upscale boutique hotel.
And you have how many days off a week, generally?
Until very recently I was up to three days off a week, but now we’ve just lost someone, so I have to go back and give up one of my days off.
What did you do for breakfast yesterday?
Met some friends for brunch at 10 Downing. It was my first time for brunch, and we chose it because I couldn’t think of anyplace else that’s good that would be able to accommodate 6 people without much of a hassle and no reservation. I figured if we met at 10 Downing and it was too busy, we’d have plenty of other decent options available in the area within walking distance. As it turns out, the weather was still warm enough for outdoor dining (if we kept our jackets on) so we opted for the sidewalk cafe, which was almost empty anyway. The dining room also would not have been a problem if we had chosen to sit inside.
The bartender recommended the fried chicken to me— he said it was "sooo good," but it turned out to be somewhat overcooked and possibly the driest chicken I’ve ever had. I did like the apple cider, though— my friend was having it and I tried it for the first time and liked it. I ended up having three, almost without even realizing it. My other friend kept ordering it for me; he himself was up to five beers by the time we left.
Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals just fine, but the omelette that was custom-ordered ("just ham and cheese") looked the best out of everything.
Lunch?
10 Downing was still "lunch"— we got there around 1:30PM and stayed until about 4PM.
And afterward?
Went home. My friend from out of town who was staying with me had to pack his bags, and I sent him off in a cab to the airport.
Then I met up with another friend. We just walked around SoHo for a little bit and then decided to stop for a drink. I’d been meaning to drop by Brinkleys, because I’d heard a friend of mine just started working there, so I suggested we go there.
Unfortunately, my friend wasn’t behind the bar like I had hoped, and the bartender that was working completely ignored us for a good two minutes even though the bar wasn’t that full. I tried to sit in an empty stool but a minute later a girl walked up to tell me it’s her seat, even though the dish and drink that were on the bar were both finished; she must have been outside smoking a cigarette or something. So then I tried another seat and then some other girl claimed that seat as her own, too.
So then I got frustrated, because still after all this time, the bartender hadn’t yet pulled his face away from the computer terminal. So we decided to just leave.
Dinner?
Walked over to Blue Ribbon Sushi, which has been one of my favorite places for years. Normally, I make it a habit to avoid seafood on the weekends, but my friend was feeling up for it, and there are a lot of things on Blue Ribbon’s menu that aren’t necessarily served raw. It turns out I had the kanpachi anyway, because I couldn’t resist; to me it’s the best thing they have, and this time it was as perfect as I’ve always had it. They also make the best miso soup, so I had that too. We shared a wakame salad, pork shumai and rock shrimp, and my friend decided to order sushi of his own, because he apparently doesn’t have the same apprehension I have about seafood (especially raw) on the weekends. However, he did say afterward he felt "a little disappointed" about the tuna.
I’d already drunk so much at brunch, so we decided to split a small bottle of sake. I can’t remember the name of it, but they have one that’s $18 for a 300ml which I thought was very reasonable. Usually I prefer nigori sake, but this one was actually pretty good, and I would definitely order it again.
And afterward?
Met up with a bunch of friends at Rose Bar. It took a little while to get in, because they kept saying to wait for the doorman, but he was late showing up. Then when they said he’d finally arrived, it was still hard to find him, because he wasn’t at the front door. I know one of the guys that helps run the place, so I sent an email to his blackberry but I never got a response back. Eventually I did find the doorman I know, and he let all five of us in with no problem.
After our second round of drinks, my friend noticed that one of the managers was lurking near us, and she overheard him telling the waitress to "get rid" of us. It just so turns out that my other friend was already paying the check at the same time. He didn’t realize that the gratuity is automatically added, so he ended up paying a 45% tip. But then when he discovered that they were actively looking to bounce us, he hunted down the waitress and demanded the extra tip back (it was all paid in cash).
As we were leaving, my friend gave her business card to one of the managers, because I guess she felt like they were being rude to us. When he found out that we’re all from the industry, he said to her, "You didn’t tell me you’re here." It seemed like a moot point to us, but he apologized and I guess they made friends that night.
How much did you blow today?
$60 for brunch— I threw $80 on the pile, but for some reason they gave me $20 back. Another $8 cab fare to Rose Bar. My friend paid for dinner at Blue Ribbon Sushi, and my other friend got the check at Rose Bar.
Welcome to: Where I Spent My Day Off —by a NYC Restaurant "Insider"
So, what do you do in the industry?
I’m a Service Coordinator and Floor Manager for a [highly publicized] 150+ seater in TriBeCa.
And you have how many days off a week, generally?
Two.
What did you do for breakfast yesterday?
Had an english muffin (with butter) and coffee at home while watching the morning news.
Lunch?
Met a couple of friends at Ippudo on 4th Ave. They’re big fans of the ramen, and I think one friend even knows one of the cooks there. It’s usually packed (or rather, the wait is long) for dinner, so lunch is a better bet if you can make it there early enough. I used to be a fan myself, until a girl I was dating a while back had an allergic reaction which she attributed to MSG. I was surprised that a ramen house as well-known as Ippudo would still be using outdated and controversial ingredients like MSG, so when I got home I googled "Ippudo MSG." Even though I didn’t actually get a definitive answer, there were enough reports online of people with similar doubts and experiences to make me somewhat of a believer. I haven’t eaten at Ippudo since, and I try to warn my friends of the possibility of MSG in the food. Some friends care — others don’t.
Obviously, these particular friends still love it, but I stuck with two pork buns, piquillo peppers and a small bottle of sake. I hope the pork buns don’t have any MSG, but if it weren’t for my friends insisting on lunching there, I wouldn’t have gone back even for those.
And afterward?
Walked around Union Square with my friends, then went home to clean my apartment and catch up on the laundry.
Dinner?
Met another friend at Ed’s Lobster Bar in SoHo. She was craving a lobster roll, and Mary’s Fish Camp is too much of hassle (long wait) most nights. I also won’t go to Pearl’s because the staff has such an attitude problem there. Ed’s isn’t much better, but the irony is that at Ed’s the staff is nice, but the owners are real dicks. Usually whenever I see Ed or that other big guy through the window, I keep walking. But this time my friend was starving so I gave in.
I always try to get a seat at the counter as far away from Ed as possible. Sometimes he mans the front oyster/raw bar, and other times he darts in and out of the kitchen in the back. Unfortunately, this time there were only seats toward the front, and we had no choice but to plop ourselves smack in front of his surly mug.
The funny thing is I was bracing myself for a mediocre to downright awful experience, but I think Ed heard us talking and realized we were from the industry. He was unusually attentive, and no exaggeration, the lobster rolls arrived more overstuffed and perfectly prepared than I have ever seen before (more often than not, it’s a crap shoot). The fries were also perfect (ditto on the crap shoot) and even the little ramekin of pickles was practically overflowing. We also shared a Caesar salad to start, and even that was fresher and better prepared than it’s ever been. It ended up being the best meal I’ve ever had there.
And afterward?
Popped into Cafe Select to see if another friend of mine was working, but she wasn’t, so we dropped into La Esquina instead. Had two rounds of margaritas, which was one more than I wanted, but I know the girl that was bartending, so she refilled the glasses when we weren’t looking. We spotted Mischa Barton walking by, but I think I heard she’s there all the time. Also ran into a couple of other people we know.
How much did you blow today?
I treated my friend to dinner at Ed’s so all in all, about $190, including tip (which I gave the bartender at La Esquina a little extra for the sneak round). My friend paid for the first round of drinks at La Esquina. No cab fare all day which is one of the main reasons I mostly only go to places I can walk to (I hate the subway).
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 lucks[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! Very colorful.
Please rate the Bar:
Very clean and unusually spacious. Neat, professional bar staff. Kind of cumbersome that they have to lean over the terminal to take orders and/or serve, and the drinks are expensive.
Please rate the drinks/ cocktails/ wine:
Very extensive fresh-ingredient cocktail list, but the wine by the glass options are a joke. $20 for a Belvedere on the rocks, and you don’t even get decent olives. Sorry, but at these prices, it ain’t no Rose Bar.
Please rate the Dining Room:
Appealing at first glance, but then you start to notice the little things — like the wallpaper. Also, it’s inelegant having to walk through the dining room to access the bar. There are a couple of tables very awkwardly located, and it’s difficult to even determine where the bar area starts and the dining room ends. The trite but overpriced menu is completely at odds with the quirky decor and the stiff, austere, pompously uniformed staff. It feels like a corporate hotel.
Please rate the BOH:
Even though I was starving, the menu was completely unappealing and the prices were formidable enough to have me yearning to go elsewhere. Obviously, it’s not their fault, but the thoroughly unimaginative ‘hotel fare’ won’t be inspiring visits from many locals. This is purely ‘room service’ shlock meant strictly for weary travelers. I’m not quite sure why I even came here in the first place.
How was the staff?
Fine enough in that very corporate hotel union kind of way. Detached, standoffish, but adequately efficient.
What did you eat?/ How was the food?
Duck Spring Rolls (Bar Menu) : Pretty awful. And at $8, a total travesty. The bartender asked if I’d like "two orders, because they’re kind of small," and he wasn’t kidding. I have no idea why it’s even called Spring Rolls plural, because it’s really just one medium-sized spring roll sliced into three bite-sized pieces. Cold, bland, flavorless and dry. I would eat my shoes before I order another dish here, especially at these prices.
What did you like?
The glass ‘chandelier’ balls hanging from the ceiling, the cow painting over the bar and the antique telephones arranged on the wall. The glassware is nice, and the bar seats are comfortable.
What did you dislike?
The spring roll, the tiny cheap olives in my vodka and the utterly pretentious prices.
What was your last impression?
I can’t believe my friend told me this is a good place. He probably likes it just because it’s English.
Would you come back?
If ever I needed a quiet, comfortable convenient place to meet for business over coffee/tea, maybe.
Thank you, and hope to see you soon!
Thank you and good night.
= "personne extraordinaire"