182679 Mon Nov 08 20:06:06 -0800 2004 9 15 Pennsylvania 0 980221 I know there have been posts about Le Jardin recently but I didn't see any specifics about it. One person (newgirlintown) said she ate there but didn't give a lot of details. Can you fill me in more? Was the food so-so or very good? What are the food and wine prices like? I'm thinking of taking my wife there for a meal and want to know how the atmosphere and food are. Is it a romantic place to have a very good meal or should I skip it? Thanks for any and all input! Mon Nov 08 20:06:06 -0800 2004 0 schpsychman 1 980229 I would place the food slightly above Par compared to say caribou Cafe.....It was good but It's no balthazar. Definitely romantic......go check out the website, it has all the food and drink prices. Google...le Jardin + philadelphia. Mon Nov 08 22:01:57 -0800 2004 980221 0 Newgirlintown 2 980232 Why do we have to go to New York to go to Balthazar? Mon Nov 08 22:14:51 -0800 2004 980229 0 joepassmore 3 980241 We didnt have to when the Blue angel was open and was being run by Peter Dunmire and Shola Olunloyo in the Kitchen plus Django's Aimee Olexy as the manager...talk about all star crew....! I was sad to see that close and even worse to see Angelina open, simply the most mediocre Italian food i have ever eaten 3 times. I will be suprised if it is still open after Colin Powell resigns. Mon Nov 08 23:58:59 -0800 2004 980232 0 Newgirlintown 4 980251 Ammie was the best manager that star ever hired. If it only was on walnut it might have saved it. As for angelina how did you get through three meals? Twenty six dollar pasta with three shrimp. Tue Nov 09 11:21:57 -0800 2004 980241 0 joepassmore 5 980256 I'm digressing but what's the deal Starr's restaurants? Most of his restaurants get 3 bells by Craig Laban (Angelina too I think)and are often mentioned in national publications, but most are frequently panned here... Myself have not been too fond of his restaurants too much style not enough substance. At some point we may end up with an "emperor has got no clothes" situation. Tue Nov 09 12:59:09 -0800 2004 980251 0 SG 6 980257 For me it's almost two seperate digressions, one on Stephen Starr & his restaurants, theatre vs. food and another one on Craig LaBan and how often I disagree with him. But before the moderator suggests it, these threads should probably be put on Not About Food. Tue Nov 09 13:45:17 -0800 2004 980256 0 harshbeth 7 980273 But it is about food i dont care about the theatre as long as the food is honest and good. If one more person tell me how amazing the lobster mashed potatos at the continental is i will just lose it. Tue Nov 09 16:58:35 -0800 2004 980257 0 Newgirlintown 8 980277 How could anyone say that those lobster mash are any thing but they go well the "warm" red wine stored over the cooler compresser and served in the small holiday inn glasses Tue Nov 09 17:31:48 -0800 2004 980273 0 Joepassmore 1 980248 Ate there two Fridays ago and really enjoyed it. My husband had the butternut squash soup - excellent and I had a frisee salad(bacon, potato, poached egg) to start which was good but certainly not the best I've ever had. For entrees I had a truly wonderful veal tenderloin with asparagus in a demi-glace, my husband had a salmon dish whose details I can't recall. We split a tarte tatin for dessert. There were very minor service glitches (they'd only been open a week) but all in all I'd go back. The back room was charming, the staff accomodating and there were a lot of items on the menu that looked great. We spent $120 which also included bottled water & two drinks, tax & tip. Hope this helps... Tue Nov 09 10:48:00 -0800 2004 980221 0 harshbeth