GerryOlds2TheReturnofGerry

I went to Mission Chinese at Cha Kee last summer and enjoyed it well enough. I would bet it's an even better experience since cocktail wiz / Momofuku vet John deBary became GM a few months ago.

But not really... Went to the Foul Witch x Danny Bowien pop-up last Friday and found it kind of hot and cold (but not in a good way like Mirarchi's fire & ice straciatella/nduja dish). Most of the menu was Bowien's (he seemed to be the one running the kitchen for the night), with a few FW dishes thrown in the mix. Best were probably sweetbreads with white pepper and lime, just really nicely balanced, and the fry was light and greaseless. Both large-format entrees were kind of a letdown: an otherwise very tasty dry-aged lamb saddle that was unfortunately mostly fat, and a yellowfin tuna collar that was overpoweringly oily and fishy in a way that needed the accompanying chili and scallion condiments (which were delicious) to make it more palatable. The one straightforward Italian dish we had, a celery salad with anchovies and cave-aged pecorino, was fine. I would maybe be interested in trying more of the regular FW menu, but my table walked away kind of underwhelmed. Has anyone been for the regular menu?

PK stepping down as critic, continuing as a reporter. https://www.instagram.com/p/DKpgvEQPmrm/

Some friends of mine just had an anniversary dinner at Forsythia that they were raving about.

She is beautiful

Yes! Loved the dried scallops in the sauce.

was really good! Schneier and Rosner (which sounds like a vaudeville act) were both spot-on about how fun it is. I didn't even really mind that we waited almost an hour to be seated, since the bar has its own vibe and menu (conch and stewed short rib patty was a standout). The fact that they inherited the Ko cellar is a huge plus, and it seems like the mark-up is reasonable for NYC ($65 for a bottle of riesling sekt that retails for $40). You also get a decent amount of extras for the price (shared app, multiple sides with the mains, and a palate cleanser). Just a really exciting spot.

Same. I haven't read his book, but this post reminded me of the documentary about him, "I Like Killing Flies." Looks like it was on Netflix at one point.

I wrote my reply fast -- sorry if that came off brusque. Will report back on Sho! I'm a little salty that I missed the boat on Brock-led Husk and now Brock-led Audrey, but the new spot looks interesting, at least.

Because Sean Brock is obsessed with Tokyo-style pizza, and he just opened Sho Pizza Bar in Nashville.

Interestingly, after doing some digging, it appears that Sean Brock has stepped back from Audrey. His new place serves "Tokyo-inspired pizza." Stiil considering Husk.

What kind of experience are you looking for? Some of the most popular spots that live up to the hype are Mawn (modern Cambodian), Pietramala (refreshing and legitimately tasty vegan cooking), Her Place or My Loup (owned by the same couple, the former a supper club-type atmosphere with a prix-fixe menu, the latter a Montreal-esque bistro with Au Pied de Cochon roots), River Twice or Little Water (owned by the same couple, the former a creative, affordable seafood-focused tasting menu spot, the latter a creative, seafood-focused neighborhood restaurant with an a la carte menu), Little Walter's (modern Polish), Bastia (a recent Esquire best new restaurant pick, broadly Mediterranean but in a really fun, fresh way). The new Honeysuckle will be open with a tasting menu ($95) centered around Black food traditions; Friday Saturday Sunday, a JBFA winner for Outstanding Restaurant, is distinct, but similarly pulls from those same cooking traditions and presents them in a tasting menu format ($165). They also have a new JBFA-nominated cocktail bar called The Lovers Bar. Another great watering hole is Super Folie, a wonderful hole-in-the-wall wine bar that has the approval of NYC royalty like Pascaline Lepeltier. They just opened a new spot with a market component and a slightly larger menu called Superette. For cheesesteaks, Angelo's (though it's always mobbed) is the most famous now, but tbh, you can probably just go to Danny & Coop's in the East Village since it's essentially an offshoot; John's Roast Pork is a classic for both cheesesteaks and roast pork, and well worth the trip; check out Paesano's for a great, nontraditional pork and greens sandwich, or a unique fried chicken liver sandwich. Head to John's Water Ice for its signature frozen treat or a gelati (it's also right down the street from Fiorella, Marc Vetri's ode to pasta). Then there's Roxanne, a delightfully weird/cerebral yet playful restaurant that does silly things like putting a burger on the dessert menu, but the patty is seriously beefy and comes with a slice of room temp. Red Rock cheese, a blue-cheddar hybrid out of Wisconsin that almost makes it a cheese course. Also, two of the city's best bakeries, Machine Shop and Second Daughter, are housed in Bok, a repurposed high school that has other vendors worth checking out, plus a rooftop bar with a nice view of the city. ETA: Speaking of living up to the hype, Kalaya really is quite good. And if you're around during the weekend, the Southeast Asian Market in FDR Park is worth hitting up for items like stuffed chicken wings and lemongrass cheesesteaks.

Thanks both for your great suggestions! Lots to consider.

Who has been there and what did you like?

This place is a must-visit, and I hope it's able to survive. The owner recently posted a plea for more asses in seats on Instagram. Southern-inspired tasting menu Thu-Sat. The rest of the week, it looks like they either run specials like fried chicken sandwiches or an a la carte bar menu. https://thelarderthedelta.com/