A' la Carte

Nothing quite like those trendy establishments. Perfect lighting and ambience, linen napkins, elongated parchment menus, heavy oversized cutlery and waiters that commit your order to memory. For starters you ordered the dandelion salad with champagne vinaigrette that consisted of about ten leaves, half a cherry tomato, and several gratings of hard cheese. The coarse ground pepper from the giant mill was the highlight. Your "Prawns DeMarco" entrée arrived on perfect cue on a rectangular white porcelain plate with two shrimp, three string beans, a sprig of rosemary, and some sort of aioli drizzled atop in a fancy zig zag pattern. For dessert, a portion akin to something that came from a box of chocolates. but there's a sprig of fresh mint and another fancy zig zag of raspberry drizzle. Coffee served in a vessel resembling a thimble. Then you get the bill and say "never again"!

Upon leaving you walk across the street to the ice cream shop to sate you and your date.

joerand posted:

"Prawns DeMarco"

LOL. You paint a vivid picture, Randy.

Chris

joerand posted:

Nothing quite like those trendy establishments. Perfect lighting and ambience, linen napkins, elongated parchment menus, heavy oversized cutlery and waiters that commit your order to memory. For starters you ordered the dandelion salad with champagne vinaigrette that consisted of about ten leaves, half a cherry tomato, and several gratings of hard cheese. The coarse ground pepper from the giant mill was the highlight. Your "Prawns DeMarco" entrée arrived on perfect cue on a rectangular white porcelain plate with two shrimp, three string beans, a sprig of rosemary, and some sort of aioli drizzled atop in a fancy zig zag pattern. For dessert, a portion akin to something that came from a box of chocolates. but there's a sprig of fresh mint and another fancy zig zag of raspberry drizzle. Coffee served in a vessel resembling a thimble. Then you get the bill and say "never again"!

Upon leaving you walk across the street to the ice cream shop to sate you and your date.

Brilliant 

Although have had many great experiences fane daneing. Monkfish with Oxtail. Pigs Trotter Bonbons. Pork belly with star anise and lavender. Apple tarte tatin with Garlic ice cream. The trick is knowing what to order.

TOBYJUG posted:

Although have had many great experiences fane daneing. Monkfish with Oxtail. Pigs Trotter Bonbons. Pork belly with star anise and lavender. Apple tarte tatin with Garlic ice cream. The trick is knowing what to order.

I'm assuming all dishes mentioned, are on the not to order list..? .

Bring back the trencher, then you needn't lick your plate.

On a recent holiday over Christmas / New Year in New York we had an inadvertent experience of " a la carte" fane daning on 53rd St. The four of us had spent the previous few hours looking at the shops in a rather busy 5th avenue in sub zero temperatures. We also had our photos taken with the flak jacketed police outside the Trump tower. After fighting through the crowds we were hungry and as we walked down 53rd street we came across a restaurant attached to an art gallery called "Modern". The staff were very welcoming and pleasant and the seats were comfortable so we decided to have lunch there.2 dirty martinis, one glass of Sancerre, 2 appetisers, one main course and 2 deserts between all of us came to $270! Food was very good, but mouse tucker in size. A very nice lunch but supplemented by Joes pizza at $3 a slice on way back to our hotel. Later found out it was a 2 Michelin star restaurant, what a laugh!

Kiwi cat posted:

On a recent holiday over Christmas / New Year in New York we had an inadvertent experience of " a la carte" fane daning on 53rd St. The four of us had spent the previous few hours looking at the shops in a rather busy 5th avenue in sub zero temperatures. We also had our photos taken with the flak jacketed police outside the Trump tower. After fighting through the crowds we were hungry and as we walked down 53rd street we came across a restaurant attached to an art gallery called "Modern". The staff were very welcoming and pleasant and the seats were comfortable so we decided to have lunch there.2 dirty martinis, one glass of Sancerre, 2 appetisers, one main course and 2 deserts between all of us came to $270! Food was very good, but mouse tucker in size. A very nice lunch but supplemented by Joes pizza at $3 a slice on way back to our hotel. Later found out it was a 2 Michelin star restaurant, what a laugh!

 

Whilst in New York last year, we had a similar experience,  it really is a joke....

Kiwi cat posted:

On a recent holiday over Christmas / New Year in New York we had an inadvertent experience of " a la carte" fane daning on 53rd St. The four of us had spent the previous few hours looking at the shops in a rather busy 5th avenue in sub zero temperatures. We also had our photos taken with the flak jacketed police outside the Trump tower. After fighting through the crowds we were hungry and as we walked down 53rd street we came across a restaurant attached to an art gallery called "Modern". The staff were very welcoming and pleasant and the seats were comfortable so we decided to have lunch there.2 dirty martinis, one glass of Sancerre, 2 appetisers, one main course and 2 deserts between all of us came to $270! Food was very good, but mouse tucker in size. A very nice lunch but supplemented by Joes pizza at $3 a slice on way back to our hotel. Later found out it was a 2 Michelin star restaurant, what a laugh!

 

At least you got to eat there. On my last trip to New York I had a reservation which they cancelled two days before (burst pipe closed the restaurant for a week).

Bananahead posted:

Kiwi cat posted:

On a recent holiday over Christmas / New Year in New York we had an inadvertent experience of " a la carte" fane daning on 53rd St. The four of us had spent the previous few hours looking at the shops in a rather busy 5th avenue in sub zero temperatures. We also had our photos taken with the flak jacketed police outside the Trump tower. After fighting through the crowds we were hungry and as we walked down 53rd street we came across a restaurant attached to an art gallery called "Modern". The staff were very welcoming and pleasant and the seats were comfortable so we decided to have lunch there.2 dirty martinis, one glass of Sancerre, 2 appetisers, one main course and 2 deserts between all of us came to $270! Food was very good, but mouse tucker in size. A very nice lunch but supplemented by Joes pizza at $3 a slice on way back to our hotel. Later found out it was a 2 Michelin star restaurant, what a laugh!

 

At least you got to eat there. On my last trip to New York I had a reservation which they cancelled two days before (burst pipe closed the restaurant for a week).

Maybe you had a lucky escape... 

We tend to go to Joe's Pizza straight away. $270  for that quelle rip off, IMO.

Yes, Joes pizza is a wonderful institution in Williamsburg. Cheap but delicious New York pizza by the slice. One of the wonders of New York dining.

And a big shout out to the wonderful people of New York, smart, courteous welcoming people. You will overcome!

The NYC slice of pie is a unique sensory treasure. Available 24/7. Fold it in half, watch the oil drip off. The first bite at the tip might be best, yet it continues through the journey to the chewy crust. Immediately ready for another. After 27 years of marriage I no longer fancy travelling to the East Coast to visit my in-laws. That simple slice of pie is now my strongest motivator. Many have copied it to other venues, but still there's nothing quite like getting a genuine big slice in The City.

joerand posted:

The NYC slice of pie is a unique sensory treasure. Available 24/7. Fold it in half, watch the oil drip off. The first bite at the tip might be best, yet it continues through the journey to the chewy crust. Immediately ready for another. After 27 years of marriage I no longer fancy travelling to the East Coast to visit my in-laws. That simple slice of pie is now my strongest motivator. Many have copied it to other venues, but still there's nothing quite like getting a genuine big slice in The City.

Your making me hungry..... It's a long way to go for food, think I just might dig out the passport ...

So, we're now debating $270 for your "local" 2*Michelin experience verses $270 airfare + $3 pizza slice.............

..............oh yes ! it's the Naim forum.......

It was a matter of the $3 slice being a greater motivator for making the trip than the actual visit with the in-laws. We must rationalize some recompense in these dire domestic duties, especially when the alternative is for the in-laws to threaten us with a visit. Trust me, nobody really wants that!

joerand posted:

It was a matter of the $3 slice being a greater motivator for making the trip than the actual visit with the in-laws. We must rationalize some recompense in these dire domestic duties, especially when the alternative is for the in-laws to threaten us with a visit. Trust me, nobody really wants that!

I understand completely.......