FYI -- For sites with registration you can always find a PW at http://www.bugmenot.com/ Pretty neat, eh?


As far as the steak is concerned, for the prices the places at the Time Warner Center charge they ahd *better* be good! I liked this paragraph best:I think I'll pass on this one...

The NYT has now reviewed three restaurants at the new TW building. Two have been duds: Asiate and V Steakhouse. One has received glowing reviews which was the very expensive $300 prix-fixe Japanese restaurant.

I'm looking forward to the review of Per Se.

This food critic at the times is relatively new. He did national political coverage for the Times before that I think. Given that, I am unsure that he has any more qualifications as a restaurtant critic than, oh maybe lets say, one of my cats. Not saying he is wrong, just that until I get a better idea if his restaurant reviews are any more reliable than I believe the political coverage from the Times is, I wont be following his advice, but rather critiquing him. On the other hand, he could be a great restaurant critic, as could everyone at the national affairs desk at the times but they dont know jack about politics. That would be possible to in my opinion. Caveat emptor in any case. I have been to all of Vongerichten's NY restaurants I believe and while I wouldnt necessarily say they are the best of their genre (excepting possibly Vong) in NY, they have all been very, very good. This new place serves Niman beef and it is pretty hard for me to believe someone who is as great a chef as Vongerichten wouldnt make some great meals with that.

Now that we have read a few of Frank Bruni reviews, I think I actually prefer Amanda Hesser's reviews. I miss William Grimes.

After reading this review of V Steakhouse (is it called "V" or Five?) I ask -- why should a steak dinner be so complicated?

Basically I think steak lovers (like myself) like it simple:

*Opening drink.
*Nice appetizer (for me Lobster Bisque)
*A big slab of beef
*A nice wine to go with the beef
*A nap afterwards if the desert is not tempting.

Steak should be served at the lover's preferred temperature (for me medium well) When you are hungry you don't have time for shows or fancy staff.

Beef on plate. Simple as that.

Another thing: Steakhouses really do not need fancy decor. Nice chair with walls of wine bottles and floors CLEAN OF SAWDUST!!!!

Just one opinion.

Speaking of opinions... gadget freak writes:

This food critic at the times is relatively new. He did national political coverage for the Times before that I think. Given that, I am unsure that he has any more qualifications as a restaurtant critic than, oh maybe lets say, one of my cats.

GF: I think your cats would make better critics than some people who call themselves critics. Cats are good judges of a lot of things... like people.

Once I brought home some ribeye from Old Homestead steakhouse. My cats gave it four stars.

I tend to ignore the critics and try to find things out for myself (or advise of some Flyertalkers.)

I can attest that I have had several cats adore the remnants of steak for two, very rare, from Peter Lugar

My male cat made it very clear this week that he thought the filets from Costco I had just grilled were infinitely superior to the last steaks purchased.

He also kindly reminded me of portion controls ("you don't really need 8 oz., do you....?)

If you ever come to Worcester, MA (BTW, second largest city in New England) go to 111 Chop House on Shrewsbury St. Outstanding steak and outstanding wine collection. Definitely ranks up there with places in cities you probably have heard of!!!

Here's how I rank the steakhouses where I have dined in the past few months:

1. Del Frisco's, New York (everything top notch)
2. River Palm, Mahwah, NJ (second only to Del Frisco's)
3. Smith & Wollensky's, New York (indifferent service)
4. Ruth's Chris, Parsippany, NJ (disappointing food; noisy)
5. Morton's, Hackensack, NJ (disappointing food at skyhigh prices)

Best steak recently for me has been a ribeye at Del Fisco's in Dallas [north].

As for the Argentine beef, it is good. However, I have found the Uruguayan beef to be better, quality is the same, however I found the restaurants in Montevideo to have much better preparation and service, and without the porte�o snobbery . Montevideo is also very clean. It is a smaller version of BA, and just as cosmo, me thinks.

Punta del Este beach resort is just a few hours drive, and also enjoyable in season.

Z

I'm not a big fan of Sparks, but Bern's is top notch! I always leave expecting to be on the streets of Manhattan or Chicago. Hard to believe it's Florida.

Does anyone know when Capitol Grille opens on 42nd Street in New York? Can anyone share experiences of other Capitol Grilles?

My experience with the Capital Grille in D.C. was very good. I don't know when it opens in NYC, but I'm optimistic that the trend towards good food & service will continue.

In Vegas, I've always enjoyed The Range at Harrahs. Great steaks. Fabulous mushrooms. For appetizers, we always get oysters on the half shell served with fresh grated horseradish and Tobasco sauce. Yum. And you've got to try the creme brulee--tableside flaming, very fun presentation. I've never had a bad meal there.

In Chicago tonight. Just had dinner at the Rosebud Steakhouse, next to The Drake Hotel. I thought that was pretty well done (not literally) too.

Sullivans in Anchorage (ANC)

529 Wellington in Winnipeg (YWG)

Hy's in Canada is a great chain (at least at the ones I have been to)