357 replies to this topic

[Suzanne F]

And since that side of West Street is pretty much a wasteland, I'm sure all the ventures will do just fine -- especially with the tourists and businesspeople who stay at the Embassy Suites or whatever the hotel is there.

It makes sense, but then again, there is no history of success in the area.

IIRC there was a pretty successful (and good) restaurant in 3 (I think) World Financial Center before 9/11. Something Grill?

If oakapple's memory is the measure of success, then I guess there's "no history of success."

However, there were several high or high-ish end restaurants around the Winter Garden or nearby: Hudson River Club (Waldy Malouf), which I still miss; The Grill Room (Larry Forgione iirc; it's still there although he's not, of course); Au Mandarin (still there); Manhattan Prime (definitely Larry Forgione, in the Embassy Suites; long gone); Coco Marina, previously Sfuzzi (Pino Luongo, closed after 9/11); Johnney's Fish Grill, which only went out of business a couple of years ago; SouthWest NY (still there), which actually had a pretty well-known French chef when it opened (he didn't last long, though). Too bad I just tossed my collection of NY Times reviews, or I would be able to tell you when they were, in fact, acknowledged by the wider world.

As someone who just started working in WFC, any suggestions for which places that are still open are tasty enough to bother with? Is there anything worth eating at Au Mandarin? When I used to work in midtown I would order from Shun Lee sometimes so I certainly have an appreciation for Chinese food that I would otherwise never ever eat.

I'm afraid I can't be much help. In all these years, I've never eaten at Au Mandarin, since it's no harder for me to go to Chinatown. Nor have I eaten at The Grill Room; it never seemed interesting enough to warrant the expense. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I can recommend any place there. The only positive I have is: wait for the Greenmarket to open again. At least you'll be able to do some of your shopping.

Sneak could probably give you some advice, although he too might say: don't eat there.

[Sneakeater]

Don't eat there.

[Jesikka]

Don't eat there.

I've managed not to so far. This is why I bring lunch every day.

[Sneakeater]

Raw Bar at P.J. Clark's, if you must.

[Suzanne F]

Sneak: what if they set up that "barbecue" on the plaza outside the Winter Garden again this year? I never made it there last summer, so I don't know if it was any good. Supposedly it was serving food from the existing restaurants, so maybe not -- although they did have big covered grills scattered around.

[Sneakeater]

They do that in the Financial District proper, too, during the summer, at places like Coenties Slip. And I have to admit, places you normally wouldn't want to spend any money on are capable of grilling decent stuff. So yeah, that would probably be worth trying.

I'll bet this summer some trucks will find their way to the Financial Center, too.

[splinky]

They do that in the Financial District proper, too, during the summer, at places like Coenties Slip. And I have to admit, places you normally wouldn't want to spend any money on are capable of grilling decent stuff. So yeah, that would probably be worth trying.

I'll bet this summer some trucks will find their way to the Financial Center, too.

goldman will attract some new and better food vendors for you all, don't worry. the bank really does travel on its stomach

[Jesikka]

It seems pretty clear that all of this Danny Meyer stuff is going to be an improvement to the area. There is already a ton of great stuff fairly close by in Tribeca. I think this area is going to be a major center for restaurant development in the next 5 or so years, esp as the WTC redevelopment project starts to actually move forward.

FWIW, Kaffe 1668 is really quite awesome.

[Suzanne F]

From you mouth to God's ear.

[juuceman]

It seems pretty clear that all of this Danny Meyer stuff is going to be an improvement to the area. There is already a ton of great stuff fairly close by in Tribeca. I think this area is going to be a major center for restaurant development in the next 5 or so years, esp as the WTC redevelopment project starts to actually move forward.

FWIW, Kaffe 1668 is really quite awesome.

they've been talking about redeveloping the Embassy Suites for at least five years now; for a while they were going to knock it down completely. Now it's going to be a high end Hilton property.

[Sneakeater]

We've all been waiting for a review by someone credible.

[Wilfrid]

Sounds like no Asian/Indian accents at all, is that right?

[oakapple]

Sounds like no Asian/Indian accents at all, is that right?

No, not really. I suppose someone will point out an ingredient here, a dish there, but nothing that would tell you it's the former chef of Tabla. But before he was at Tabla, I believe he was at both Lespinasse and Union Square Cafe, so he isn't a guy who can only do one thing.

[rozrapp]

We had dinner at North End Grill on Monday. I read oakapple's review before we went but actually didn't remember what he had had when we ordered (definitely a function of an aging brain). As it turned out, we had two of the same things he had: the tuna tartare (Michael's starter, which I tasted), and Poulet Rouge. Our verdicts on both are the same as oakapple. Excellent! The skin on the chicken was wonderfully crispy, and the meat was very flavorful and moist. The menu says it's for two, but it can easily be shared by four. (We ate half and took home the rest.) It is piled atop a sizable portion of chunks of very tasty bread stuffing. To go with it, we ordered the Shishito Peppers with Cippollini Onions. I loved the onions, but the peppers were too spicy for me. Michael, who loves very spicy food, gobbled them up.

I started with the foie gras torchon. (What else would you expect of the Foie Gras Queen?!) Fabulous! Sizable with a delectable quince paste accompaniment.

The chicken was taking an overly long time to come out, so our server, Marcel, brought us a gift to tied us over, Roasted Beets with Orange Ricotta. Delicious! And, btw, throughout the meal he couldn't have been sweeter or more attentive.

My dessert was one of my favorites, Sticky Toffee Pudding -- a superb version as it was sweet without being cloying. Michael ended with three flavors of excellent ice cream.

I should also mention the bread, which was first-rate.

We were surprised and delighted to discover that Jason Hopple has moved over from The Modern to become North End's Beverage Director. Michael was very pleased with the wine pairings Jason suggested.

Another surprise was seeing John Ragan there. As you may know, he was recently appointed USHG's Wine Director, and in that position, he has been intimately involved in assembling North End's wine list. As we said to him, we hadn't gotten a chance to say good-bye when he left EMP, so it was great getting to say hello to him at North End.

The G.M. is Kevin Richer, who was G.M. at Tabla.

When we arrived, I spotted Floyd Cardoz in the spacious open kitchen. He later stopped by our table and we chatted briefly. We'd never met him before. He looked so happy. And why shouldn't he be? In my view, North End Grill has all the makings of a big hit.

[Nancy S.]

We had dinner at North End Grill on Monday. I read oakapple's review before we went but actually didn't remember what he had had when we ordered (definitely a function of an aging brain). As it turned out, we had two of the same things he had: the tuna tartare (Michael's starter, which I tasted), and Poulet Rouge. Our verdicts on both are the same as oakapple. Excellent! The skin on the chicken was wonderfully crispy, and the meat was very flavorful and moist. The menu says it's for two, but it can easily be shared by four. (We ate half and took home the rest.) It is piled atop a sizable portion of chunks of very tasty bread stuffing. To go with it, we ordered the Shishito Peppers with Cippollini Onions. I loved the onions, but the peppers were too spicy for me. Michael, who loves very spicy food, gobbled them up.

I started with the foie gras torchon. (What else would you expect of the Foie Gras Queen?!) Fabulous! Sizable with a delectable quince paste accompaniment.

The chicken was taking an overly long time to come out, so our server, Marcel, brought us a gift to tied us over, Roasted Beets with Orange Ricotta. Delicious! And, btw, throughout the meal he couldn't have been sweeter or more attentive.

My dessert was one of my favorites, Sticky Toffee Pudding -- a superb version as it was sweet without being cloying. Michael ended with three flavors of excellent ice cream.

I should also mention the bread, which was first-rate.

We were surprised and delighted to discover that Jason Hopple has moved over from The Modern to become North End's Beverage Director. Michael was very pleased with the wine pairings Jason suggested.

Another surprise was seeing John Ragan there. As you may know, he was recently appointed USHG's Wine Director, and in that position, he has been intimately involved in assembling North End's wine list. As we said to him, we hadn't gotten a chance to say good-bye when he left EMP, so it was great getting to say hello to him at North End.

The G.M. is Kevin Richer, who was G.M. at Tabla.

When we arrived, I spotted Floyd Cardoz in the spacious open kitchen. He later stopped by our table and we chatted briefly. We'd never met him before. He looked so happy. And why shouldn't he be? In my view, North End Grill has all the makings of a big hit.

Your photos are lovely, as usual. The bread looks similar to the type served at The Bar Room at the Modern, which is also quite good.