Union Oyster House, Boston

The one I went to was in London and my impressions were exactly the same as your wife's. I did not think it deserved the Michelin star it had. It was frankly no better than an average bento you can get from a run-of-the mill cheap Japanese restaurant and service was pretty poor too.

Liked TFL. Bouchon - not; it's nowhere close to the food at TFL, btw.

That's the part I like about their steak. I always ask for extra butter.

99% of all steakhouses in the US. I'm tempted to say 100%.

Corollary 1: 99% of all "sushi" restaurants in the US are overrated.

Any MacDonalds, anywhere.

How is it possible for a McDonalds to be over rated? ;)

We went to Bouchon in Yountville last October when we couldn't get off the French Laundry waitlist, and were quite unimpressed. The service and the ambiance were nice, but the food was unremarkable.

+1

I went there in Raleigh and it was a horrible experience. I wrote a scathing review on CitySearch. A year later, CitySearch pulled the review stating:

The review was completely factual, and I suspect that the restaurant was advertising on CitySearch and had CitySearch pull the review to boost their ratings. I wrote to CitySearch asking how exactly my review "violated" their guidelines, and they never wrote back.

Based on this experience, I'm certain that CitySearch regularly deletes critical ratings without cause based on pressure from the restaurants. Which is why I no longer trust CitySearch ratings.

+1
This was a great restaurant ~15 years ago- went back this year and was embarassed that I had brought my colleagues to it- could not apologize enough! Credit to the conceirge who attempted to talk me out of it...

I love Nobu. How funny.

Could not agree more. Completely overrated and overpriced.

A two-star affair in Barcelona called Neichel. Not sure if it has the stars any more.

Pricey, arrogant service, and technically flawed food.

Oh, yes, and while I am at it: Nahm in London. Hugely overpriced, food was mediocre at best. Simply do not understand the Michelin star and the hoopla.

Cheers,
T.

I think Matsuhisa is better than the Nobu restaurants but there are some Nobu dishes, when executed well, are some of the most sublime food one can have.

Perhaps you are thinking of J. Sheekey just off Leicester Square? I was impressed with J. Sheekey but thoroughly underwhelmed by the Ivy.

I will also add Vongs Thai Kitchen in Chicago and DB Bistro Moderne at Wynn in Las Vegas to my list of overrated.

Yes, J. Sheekey. Thanks for that. The best Dover sole that I have ever had, absolutely sublime. I was a bit unclear about the Ivy. I certainly wouldnt compare it to St. John, or for that matter Chutney Mary or even Wodka. But compared to Rules, well yes. ;)

Here's the problem with Tavern on the Green. I don't think it ever really was that highly rated, at least among the people I know. Everyone kept on telling me how crappy it was and I should avoid it at all costs. So I never went and therefore can't comment on it.