My best friend owes me a 4-star lunch. Suggestions?
My best friend owes me a BIG time gourmet lunch, having bent over backwards for his ass all too many times last year.
He said the location is my choice. (I'd try to get resies at Ko but our schedules are wonky and theres no guarantee we'd be able to keep a reservation.)
My first instinct was Jean Georges (Ive eaten there twice and really enjoyed it; maybe up for trying the bar this time). No sushi as he doesnt eat it. Im looking for sensational food, decent "scene" and a great wine list (by the glass ok).
Ideas? Suggestions? Merci!
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22 Comments:
Why don't you hire a chef for the nite...
Markbb at 12:53PM on 02/10/09
Daniel, Le Bernardin and Ko would be my first choices. Ko would be #1 on my list, just for the sheer insanity that would be a three hour lunch (I'm into quality AND quantity.) With wine pairings for each course, of course of course. Plan to have the rest of the day for sleeping it off.
simon at 1:38PM on 02/10/09
Per Se...how many times do you get to do that?
bessfour at 2:50PM on 02/10/09
Yeah, but the problem is my job keeps me very busy on weekends (fri/sat/sun), when most of those places have lunch service. Hence the Jean Georges, as they do daily lunch service.
pdqfruitbat at 3:34PM on 02/10/09
11 Madison
pickle at 4:25PM on 02/10/09
I've heard Le Bernardin lives up to the hype
doron at 5:07PM on 02/10/09
Bouley was really sublime for lunch and I believe they are open on weekdays, because that's when I went (albeit 2 years ago). It's still stands as one of the best fine dining meals I've ever had.
laurelie at 6:28PM on 02/10/09
le bernardin is amazing -- and great for lunch. but i don't know about the "scene" factor. it's a very subdued dining room.
jlbrach at 6:38PM on 02/10/09
oh - another thought - bar room at the modern? that's cool and delish - though no ripert in my book.
jlbrach at 6:39PM on 02/10/09
The prix fixe at Gotham is a great deal, but if price is not an issue at all why not go somewhere even better? (no personal recommendations for anything more expensive, unfortunately).
DavidNY at 8:04PM on 02/10/09
BLT Steak does great lunch. Or 11 Madison - lunch or their divine brunch.
Per Se would be my choice if it were on someone else's dime. But the last time we were there it was a 4+ hour meal! Are you planning this on your day off?
frederika at 9:20AM on 02/11/09
I second (third) Eleven Madison Park. I had dinner there recently and it was sublime.
A few other ideas: Del Posto, Gramercy Tavern, Anthos, The Modern...
Does Corton do lunch?
I wish I were you, pdqfruitbat!
Sweet Freak at 11:29AM on 02/11/09
Here's is a list of all the NYTimes reviewed restaurants, sorted by stars. Might make it easier for you. Technically speaking there are only five 4 Star restos in the city.
simon at 1:42PM on 02/11/09
Wow -thanks for the suggestions everyone! I'm leaning toward BLT Steak,.Gotham, and 11 Madison - I have done brunch at the latter and it was off the hook. Also they are a little more casual. And yes, this is a day off occasion. We are planning to drink and dine until we pass out in a food coma.
(BTW P. Diddy is making this lunch possible....my friend did the VO for his I Am King fragrance commercials and yes, got paid rather handsomely for it!)
pdqfruitbat at 3:45PM on 02/11/09
I just took my good friend out for their birthday to 11 Madison for dinner and it was phenomenal! We had the five course winter tasting menu. The only thing is that they are serving their economy menu of a 2 course prix fixe for $28. If my friend was taking me out BIG style I would suggest looking into the following restaurants to see if lunch is served: Daniel, Per Se, Masa and Cafe Boulud. I did the lunch at Ko- it was great, but I think I would prefer a seat to a stool after close to 3-4 hours of eating and drinking.
mchow at 2:57PM on 02/12/09
"I think I would prefer a seat to a stool after close to 3-4 hours of eating and drinking."
Very true... I had dinner there, and after 2 hours my butt was kinda numb, despite getting up to walk around a little. The atmosphere was great though. I wish they would do something about the stools. Maybe stools with a back, possibly upholstered? If Chef Chang is reading this, or someone who knows him does, please bring this to his attention (I'm sure many others already have...)
simon at 5:29PM on 02/12/09
11 Madison!
NYminknit at 5:56PM on 02/12/09
lol - pdqfruitbat, i love that this sublime lunch is on p diddy. i will think of that every time i see his gigantic mug on a billboard.
be sure to report back on the meal!
Sweet Freak at 12:09PM on 02/13/09
of course...of course...its probably gonna be sometime next month. will post about all the deliciousness....
pdqfruitbat at 12:57PM on 02/13/09
www.seanjohn-iamking.com
pdqfruitbat at 1:53PM on 02/13/09
I am working at the agency that built that site! Hilarious.
simon at 4:41PM on 02/13/09
its a small world, even on SE!
pdqfruitbat at 10:22AM on 02/17/09