Jump to content


Photo

Isa (Taavo Somer)


  • Please log in to reply
303 replies to this topic

#16 Adrian

Adrian

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,669 posts

Posted 01 September 2011 - 06:42 PM

I loved that article when NYMag wrote it three years ago.

#17 Lex

Lex

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 15,265 posts

Posted 01 September 2011 - 06:43 PM

This Times hagiography leaves the strong impression that if you get the design/message right, the food doesn't really matter.


Ironic beards? Navy watch caps? Vintage-style suits cut from deadstock wool? Those trends might have never taken hold without Mr. Somer, the guiding force behind a retro-macho empire that includes Freemans restaurant, Freemans Sporting Club and the Rusty Knot.

Mr. Somer has a lot to answer for.
“I have a dream of a multiplicity of pastramis.”

"None of you get it." - Wilfrid (on the Beatles)

"I don't have time to point out all the ways in which you're wrong" - irnscrabblechf52

#18 Adrian

Adrian

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 3,669 posts

Posted 01 September 2011 - 06:44 PM

He's like The Beatles of restaurant design.

#19 g.johnson

g.johnson

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 18,877 posts

Posted 01 September 2011 - 06:50 PM

He's like The Beatles of restaurant design.

I can agree with that.
The Obnoxious Glyn Johnson

#20 Lex

Lex

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 15,265 posts

Posted 02 September 2011 - 03:18 PM

Holy shit. An Eater link.
“I have a dream of a multiplicity of pastramis.”

"None of you get it." - Wilfrid (on the Beatles)

"I don't have time to point out all the ways in which you're wrong" - irnscrabblechf52

#21 Wilfrid

Wilfrid

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 59,880 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 04:13 AM

Rewind. They're doing something different here and it's remarkably good.

Why live your life when you could curate it?

At the Sign of the Pink Pig


#22 Sneakeater

Sneakeater

    Advanced Member

  • Admin
  • PipPipPip
  • 30,345 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 04:41 AM

I have a lot of respect for that chef.
Bar Loser

#23 Wilfrid

Wilfrid

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 59,880 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 04:54 AM

Have you been there for the prix fixe? I was knocked out, and I am not easily knocked out (except by Murray's Cheese, of course).

Why live your life when you could curate it?

At the Sign of the Pink Pig


#24 jmoranmoya

jmoranmoya

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 01:35 PM

I'm not able to follow what you are trying to discuss in this topic, but ISA is not serving bad food at all.
It is not great, like Roberta's or Masten and Lake, but it is some how different. The decoration is very nice too, I agree that Taavo is better carpenter hehehe.
Some pictures of what you can find there:


I was impress by the Sardine, the rest of the dinner was good/ok
JMM

#25 Suzanne F

Suzanne F

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 14,107 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 02:18 PM

I'm not able to follow what you are trying to discuss in this topic <snip>

I was impress by the Sardine, the rest of the dinner was good/ok
JMM

Welcome to posting, Spanish Hipster (although I wouldn't let too many other people know that name :lol: ).

Don't worry, even those who post are not able to follow what they are trying to discuss.

[M]ost of the pastas hover around $25. This ought to be enough to buy bucatini that is cooked on both ends. -- Pete Wells on Caravaggio ( * review)

 

Tonight, there was a dessert of coconut, rhubarb, and black olive. Obvious in its execution how innovation and experiment, when introduced for their own sake, are annoying. --irnscrabblechf52, May 9, 2013

 

notorious stickler -- NY Times
deeply annoying and nitpicking -- Molly O'Neill, One Big Table


#26 Wilfrid

Wilfrid

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 59,880 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 06:33 PM

Welcome from me too and thanks for the slide show. Isa really took me by surprise. It's already rather good and might turn our to be a significant restaurant.

I will get around to writing about it properly.

Why live your life when you could curate it?

At the Sign of the Pink Pig


#27 Wilfrid

Wilfrid

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 59,880 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 06:35 PM

BTW, the opening menu mentioned at the beginning of the thread (where I was mocking the press release rather than the food), is not currently operative. It's a four course $50 prix fixe, which I'm told changes daily.

But still no license.

Why live your life when you could curate it?

At the Sign of the Pink Pig


#28 Orik

Orik

    Advanced Member

  • Technocrat
  • PipPipPip
  • 15,432 posts

Posted 09 October 2011 - 06:58 PM

Welcome, Jose!

That does look much better than expected.
I never said that

#29 jmoranmoya

jmoranmoya

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 126 posts

Posted 10 October 2011 - 12:20 AM


I'm not able to follow what you are trying to discuss in this topic <snip>

I was impress by the Sardine, the rest of the dinner was good/ok
JMM

Welcome to posting, Spanish Hipster (although I wouldn't let too many other people know that name :lol: ).

Don't worry, even those who post are not able to follow what they are trying to discuss.


Thanks for the welcome. Yes the name is a little bit ridiculous, but that's the point of it... :)
Thanks also Orik, Wildfrid.
Looking forward future posts!

#30 Wilfrid

Wilfrid

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 59,880 posts

Posted 14 October 2011 - 03:46 PM

I went a second time. Really very good indeed - and different. Full review Monday, but don't delay on this one. Who knows whether the current $50 prix fixe only will last? And it's still BYO. Very strongly recommended (there was no wait on a weekday evening around 9).

Why live your life when you could curate it?

At the Sign of the Pink Pig