Bar Americain vs Mesa c/o Bobby Flay
Ok so I'm a Texan who was in NY for business few weeks ago. Lucky enough to have found an okay hotel room on 43rd for less than a million dollars.. :o)
My objective for the evening was to eat at one of Bobby Flays restaurants. So I ended up at Bar Americain. Atmosphere was great - food was good. Not sure though I got the full Bobby Flay experience. So it will always sit on my mind that I should've gone to Mesa.
Any comments from those in the know up there ?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
12 Comments:
I have not been to Bar American, but we had dinner at Mesa Grill about 18 months ago and I have not forgotten the experience. Food was excellent and innovative.
izatryt at 8:29AM on 09/28/08
I went to Bar American for the first time last weekend...while I enjoyed the experience I think Mesa Grill is alot better.
johnned at 9:50AM on 09/28/08
I haven't been to Bar Americain, but I did go to Mesa Grill a couple of years ago. The atmosphere was more traditional Flay, with the South American decor and everything-spiced food. (Is that even English?) I enjoyed it a lot.
kfarrel3 at 11:56AM on 09/28/08
Mesa Grill is wonderful, the atmosphere is laid back but the food is fantastic.
waterbaby at 4:20PM on 09/28/08
And where did you stay that was less than a million dollars? Good restaurants are easier to find than reasonably priced hotels.
lemons at 5:54PM on 09/28/08
Hotel was at 48th near 8th..Best Western President Hotel...typically a chain I avoid. But rates that week in mid town were $169 with my AAA discount. Not bad, but not glamorous by any means. Great location though.
Next time I'm up there will stop in at Mesa...thanks for the comments.
Ribster at 9:49PM on 09/28/08
This is almost a no brainer... Mesa Grill is hands down better. It's usually difficult to compare two restaurants with such different styles of food, but I've been to Bar American on a number of occasions and it has always disappointed.
Bar American is good for check lists for the out of towner.
- Close to Time Square for a pre-theater meal (check)
- Food that is good (check) and i stress good, no where near great.
- Celebrity chef restaurant (check).
Mesa Grill, on the other hand, has great inventive food. If your visiting NYC and have to be in the Times Square area for pre-theatre and must have a celebrity chef restaurant, Esca would be the best choice.
BirdDoggie at 8:01AM on 09/29/08
I think if you REALLY must eat at a Flay restaurant, err on the side of Mesa Grill.
fascfoo at 5:39PM on 09/29/08
$169?? That's downright affordable, No offense, but are you sure it wasn't a dump?
wthrop at 10:13PM on 09/29/08
Since I already mentioned the name, I'll go easy on them...not a dump. Was a little small, somewhat quiet with exception of the fire station next door. I found the service to be excellent. By the way their rates for the same room last week when I went back was $375.00. Ended up staying out by Newark Airport. Nice hotel but terrible neighborhood. Would've preferred to be either mid or down town. But the UN was in session and hotel rates were overrated for the week.
Ribster at 12:12PM on 09/30/08
bobby flay's style shows through a lot more in Mesa Grill...
but honestly, if you want to try a celeb-chef restaurant, bobby flay should be closer to the bottom of that list.. and bar americain is honestly as generic as they come...
if you want a celeb-chef place, next time you're in town, check out david chang, mario batali, or morimoto... there are many places better than flay's joints.
sushiburger at 12:38PM on 10/01/08
Pork tenderloin at Mesa Grill was wonderful.
I've been to Mario Batali's Casa Mono and Bar Jamon and was disappointed both times.
dianaross9 at 12:54PM on 10/09/08