2 replies to this topic

[Rail Paul]

Todd English is opening a food hall in the lower retail level of the Plaza, at Fifth Avenue and 59th street. According to the NY Times, this establishment will feature take out, and waiter service. A special treat will be retail fish sales from F. Rozzo & Sons.

Waiters will make it possible to order anything anywhere, so that someone seated at the raw bar can get a plate of dumplings or a glass of wine. Though much of the food will be prepared at the various kitchen stations, some will come from the Plaza’s kitchens, and some will be sourced from outside purveyors selected by Mr. English. Murray’s Cheese is supplying the cheeses and charcuterie. And for those who want buy fish to cook at home, one of the suppliers will be F. Rozzo and Sons, which sells primarily to top restaurants.

Food Court

[Rail Paul]

Now open.

Julia Moskin reports on the basement location for the Times. She finds a few things she likes, and much that she doesn't like

Said to be modeled on a European food hall, the setup is closer to an American food court, with different stations for pizza, salads, “carvery” meats, sushi, whole fish, even pit barbecue and dumplings. The marble counters gleam, the mosaic floor sparkles, and the people, wearing everything from sweatshirts to Chanel, watch the chefs as they plate, shuck and roll.

In short, it is a kind of glorified cafeteria, a much-needed place to stop in Midtown for a quick salade niçoise ($14) or potato pizza ($14) or even chilled soba noodle salad with snow peas, cilantro and a mild green chili buzz ($9).

More like a food court

[Daisy]

I was taken here last night by friends who frequent it because they work nearby. It was better than I expected but I think quite expensive. I did not see the bill but thought that $22 was a lot for six oysters and I think the very small piece of sea bass I had was something like $26. High wine markups but generous by-the-glass pours. The oysters were perfectly acceptable, those ordering romaine and blue cheese salads and pork tacos topped with queso and jalapeno pronounced them good. We shared an order of mussels in green curry that were very nicely seasoned and spicy. My fish was overcooked but the potatoes accompanying it--I am guessing parboiled then sauteed--were fantastic. The arugula and red onion salad studded with bits of canned mandarin oranges was not. The best thing we ate was dessert--profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and a strawberry compote. The pastry was airy, delicate and tender and the other components were quite good.

I pretty much hated the ambiance. One feels very much as if one is dining in a basement and it made me slightly claustrophobic, a feeling no doubt exacerbated by the terrible ventilation. The service is terrific and unflappable which is a miracle given what a zoo the place was at 6:30 on a rainy Wednesday. My friends tell me it's always very crowded.

Various overpriced souvenirs of a food bent are scattered about for sale and there is a concession area with Lady M Cakes, Luke's Lobster, No. 7 Sub, etc. The hallways leading to the rest rooms are very banged up and in need of paint and tacky-looking.