Is formal dining holding its own?

[Wilfrid]

Daniel received four stars in 1994 at it's original location, and I think that must be its first Times rating.

[Wilfrid]

I think Boulud held four stars at Le Cirque prior to leaving to open Daniel, but I haven't checked.

[oakapple]

Aquavit is precisely what we are saying is non-existent nowadays: a successful luxury restaurant that was not a particular chef's brand extension. Aquavit did not get three stars immediately, but it was always "that kind of place". It was opened in 1987 by a Swedish hotelier, but they had no other New York restaurants.

[oakapple]

Daniel received four stars in 1994 at it's original location, and I think that must be its first Times rating.

 

It opened with two stars in 1993, and was upgraded to four the following year.

 

Yes, Boulud did have four stars previously at Le Cirque.

[Wilfrid]

Fair enough.

[Neocon maudit]

This is a real thing?

 

'...someone mentioned how their mother would request black napkins when she was wearing black. WHAT?! That was my reaction. I had legitimately never heard of this – but thought, THAT IS SO CHIC. Was this something reserved for those privileged to dine in fine-dining restaurants exclusively?'

[oakapple]

I have heard about that. A white napkin can leave behind bits of lint that could be visible on a black outfit.

 

There might not be many restaurants anymore that can accommodate such a request, but it's not unheard of.

[LiquidNY]

It's definitely a thing. I used to request black napkins at this one place in philly because their white napkins left lint everywhere.

[Orik]

Yup, a true concern. Usually I just ask for one of the staff with black hair but no dandruff to put their head on my crotch instead of a napkin.

[Sneakeater]

I SO miss the old days of Ssam Bar.

[Neocon maudit]

'The Yale Club is not upholding its dress code and is descending into chaos'

 

Edited: suits are verboten at Soho House?

[Wilfrid]

Is it when you're going to a disco where the lights will expose dandruff?

 

(What happened to dandruff? Do young people still have it?)

[Orik]

But only in winter.

 

https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=dandruff

[Sneakeater]

Ryan Sutton's Surprise (emphasis added)

 

 

 

Something to consider: the prix fixe dining room, which could double as a showroom for men's sports jackets, is packed at 9:30 pm on weeknights. But the small plates bar room, where the French-German fare is no less exciting (beer soup with ham hocks!), often feels quite empty. That imbalance suggests that, in Midtown at least, a certain class of diner prefers a spendy four-course meal over a cheaper collection of small plates. It also suggests that the larger culinary community has underestimated the extent to which some guests don't mind paying a bit more for more comforts and more carbs.

[Wilfrid]

The last para is kind of sad.