I've been to all, each at least several times.

My vote? EMP, hands down.

From the space/setting, to the service, to the food and beverage, you will have a very special meal.

The one thing to note about EMP that I neglected to mention in my earlier post is that the meal goes a LONG time. I think 4 hours is at LEAST how long you should expect the whole dinner to be.

Definitely an experience, though. I went before the menu change some years back and really enjoyed it. My wife has been there since and did not recall being as impressed (but it was still very good).

Which one of the NY places have a more casual dress attire? (Even any that you can wear nice pants and a tshirt?)

I think for dinner, most are jackets required for men. At lunch, I've seen some pretty casual people at Jean-Georges. Not pants and t-shirt, but maybe a Polo style shirt.

That's for the 3* places. You could easily find a 1 or 2* place where a t-shirt is accepted.

A t-shirt outright is pushing it. I would consider one that has logos/pictures on it (e.g. like a "I Love NYC" shirt) to be tacky, but a plain solid-color t-shirt would probably pass muster at a place like Gramercy Tavern, if you were sitting in the tavern room.

Pants - as long as you're not wearing distressed jeans or cargo pants, you should be fine.

FT'ers going to HKG seemed like to like "Tim Ho Wan" ... well, they are expanding worldwide & this one just opened in Manhattan last month. Long lines, I heard, one of our nieces living not far from the place in the East Village - sending her & BF to scout it out soon to see in person on whether it's worth the backpack into Manhattan sooner or not - along with the newly opened East Side 2nd. Avenue subway extension.

http://ny.eater.com/2016/12/16/13976...enu-hours-open

If only Ding Tai Fung would open one here in NY ... almost got fooled by a copycat recently with similar name up near YYR, different style of Dim Sum but worth going out of the way when we're in TPE.

Same at Per Se. Both European style regarding dinner-times

At Lunch at Jean Georges one guy wear shorts. Was so happy I had my dark suit;) At Daniel for example no chance to enter without jacket.

Thanks guys. Will look at Jean Georges, or maybe not even bother with super high end restaurants!

I really enjoyed Gramercy Tavern too, I ate on the dining room side and had a great time.

Gramercy is one of my go to's, be it bar or dining room :)
Trying to figure out some NYC spots to take friends, but they are not foodies and would laugh at a formal dress attire.

Gramercy Tavern is probably the most accessible high-end restaurant in NYC. Every single meal I have had there is fantastic, and the service continues to get better each time. I really enjoy their cellared beers - have had one at virtually every dinner I've eaten here.

Ate dinner at Del Posto last night - that was a treat. I wanted to make it before Mark Ladner departs as head chef, and the food did not disappoint...a mix of traditional Italian and modern dishes with Italian finishes. Perhaps the only disappointment was a very light cocktail selection despite a grand bar on the other side of the ground-level dining room. Best dish of the night? Take a look at the pork and veal agnolotti, served with black truffle butter... *drool* Low lighting can't take away how incredible this pasta was.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...7108790220.jpg

I like Ko for casual dress, but it's not a 3* restaurant.

That's for the recommendation! Will look into Ko :)

Edit: Just realised you were talking about Momofuku Ko! Been here and also like it, thanks for reminding me

I've done some research on EMP and it looks amazing - are they still googling patrons prior to dinner?

I think I spoiled my wife during our honeymoon using this thread as she is now looking forward to Michelin star restaurants for our anniversary - no humblebrag intended.

Only downside: During my last visit in NYC I wasn´t able to catch a table at EMP. But didn´t stay hungry;)

Yes.

It's truly spectacular, in the entire sense. There's a reason it's rated so highly across all measures (Michelin, Pellegrino, NYT, etc etc).

I was at Hawker Chan - Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle - "The Cheapest Michelin-starred Meal in The World" in Chinatown Singapore last week. Not at the hawker stall itself but the rcently opened "restaurant" on the other side of the street.
Waiting time 60 min. outside plus 30 min. inside after having ordered.
Price 6,50 SGD for the Soya Sauce Chicken with rice and a can of soft drink or tea.

Taste was OK, but is this really worth a Michelin Star ? NO, not at all !!!

Can't understand why Michelin gave them a star...

Thanks for the heads up about HK Soya Sauce. Went past the hawker store when it was awarded a star, and the lines were mad long.
Considered the restaurant, but if it's not worth it, will give it a miss.

Wait. What??

Cool AND Creepy :D

I think this might be the start of a trend. Yesterday out of the blue I got a call on my mobile from a fairly well-known local celebrity chef asking if I would be interested in attending a special dining event that was in the works. That doesn't happen every day. Told my wife, it's like Gordon Ramsay just called to chitchat and invite me to dinner.

Had dinner at Quince last night in San Francisco - got their 3rd Michelin Star this year. Fantastic dinner all around...very friendly staff, with Pliny the Elder on the menu! Cocktails were excellent. I would say that on balance, the seafood dishes were stronger than the meats, but overall, it was delicious. Well worth the experience, even though I had really wanted to go to Benu instead (waited too long to make a reservation there).

Quiet here recently! Have a few more coming up in the next couple weeks that I will report back on...

-Gabriel Kreuther (one star)
-Chef's Table @ Brooklyn Fare (three stars, at their Manhattan location)
-Enoteca Pinchiorri (in Florence, three stars)

Might be taking a bit of a break after that on the Michelin front for a couple months :)

15 days without a post! I've got a bunch of new stars in Asia coming up in the beginning of March.

PsiFighter! Any recommendations for more affordable set menus in NYC? Looking at the $100 or under price range.

Even if many here disagree I would recommend Marea (102 $ 4 course). I really like it.

Checked out Tim Ho Wan in Sham Shui Po last month. It was good, yes, but I also went because dim sum was already on the menu...so to speak.

Any reason you're looking for set menus?

The best sub-$100 value, no questions asked, is Contra in LES. Before the Michelin star (haven't been since), it was $70 per person. A steal.

Marea is also very good; that said, I was underwhelmed last time I ate there. Surprised/disappointed.

I personally have found they are generally better value, and I am not picky. But I am also open to ala carte if you have places in mind :)

Ah yes! I went to Wildair because I couldn't get into Contra, but will be trying there again!

The very short list I had before I asked the question:
Contra
Momofuku Ko (bar set menu)
Gramercy Tavern (bar set menu)
Casa Mono (lunch)
Le Coq Rico (lunch)
Osteria Morini (Monday night pasta special)

I was going to suggest Gramercy Tavern. I've only ever eaten in the dining room, but it's a place I really like.

Of the others, I've heard of Momofuku Ko, but none of the others. Nor have I dined at any.

I don't mind if I miss Gramercy Tavern to try new places, but I would also be very happy to go back there :D


On the other hand, I noticed you're from Chicago? I have never been before, and am due there just before NYC!
I am trying my best to try get a solo spot at Alinea (Salon). On the more afforadble side, I have heard good things about Girls & Goat, Roister and Publican.
Would you be able to share your thoughts on places in Chicago not too far from Miracle Mile :)

My go-to for Michelin is Tru in Streeterville.

I despise the ticket operated restaurants so have never been to any of them.

For other restaurants, I really enjoyed the food at Maple and Ash but haven't been in a long time. I also like Shanghai Terrace at the Pen for great Peking Duck.

I also think the restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You is very consistent with their restaurants having good food. If I want a "safe" restaurant where I know the food is good, I'll go to one of them.

But I've really been lacking in trying place in and around town recently, so I hope this helps.

Thanks, saved all your recommendations! Tru sounds fantastic and will very well be my backup if Alinea doesn't work out :)

Tru is extremely good. That said, I will say that I enjoyed my food more when I ate there in March 2013 than I did last month.

I would not go to Alinea...it is an experience for sure, but I found the food to be below the expectations I had when spending that kind of money. YMMV.

If you want to eat in the tavern area of GT, be prepared to wait (if at night). I would recommend going for lunch, as you can get seated as soon as the open at noon.

Casa Mono is one of the best tapas joints around...that said, they do have some very tight seating, depending on where you are in the restaurant.

Looks like Tru has a formal dress code, so looks like it may be out (don't travel with jackets etc).
Anywhere else in Chicago that has a more casual dress code? :)

Set menu is normally best value and at many restaurants in NYC only option. Not the same as set menus in Europe. Normally you can choose every course from many options. So not really "set".

You can check out Roister, Grant Achatz's casual place. Got its first star this year.

Edit: Just saw you already mentioned Roister upthread. I'd also recommend Boka, right next to Alinea. No jacket would be just fine.

Makes sense, I just read it as the OP was ONLY looking for set menus. Which I don't think is the right approach.

Re Chicago restaurants, I think most 2 and 3 star restaurants are jackets required. Maybe look at Spiaggia? I've only dined on the cafe side, but it was very nice and I don't think they have a strict dress code.

Suggestions for France
 

Hi Folks,

I'm starting to plan the itinerary for our trip to France this summer. We'll be cruising in the Provance/Burgundy region for 7 days, then heading to Paris for 4 nights. While cruising, I think I'll have time to pop out for lunch in a few cities. My initial dining selections are:

• Arles: L’Atelier
• Macon: Restaurant Pierre
• Lyon: Le Neuvième Art or Mère Brazier

In Paris, I'm thinking about skipping the Michelin guide and just going with good, local food.

We tend to like modern/creative food with a strong focus on presentation, and we want to get to know the food of the region well. We are not picky and will eat most anything.

How did I do? Am I missing something in these three cities, or in Paris?