192650 Mon Oct 29 14:58:20 -0800 2001 6 18 Manhattan 0 1028677 Who has read "Kitchen Confidential" and eaten and Les Halles, and what did you think? (I enjoyed the book a lot, and, having moved to the Midwest years ago, haven't had the chance to try out the restaurant.) Mon Oct 29 14:58:20 -0800 2001 0 Mark 1 1028683 Good steaka and the best frites. :) It does geta bit crowded and noisy though. I wasn't checking for recycled bread. :) Mon Oct 29 15:20:36 -0800 2001 1028677 0 Jayask 1 1028689 i've read the book. i've been to the restaurant. both are fantastic. even better if you've worked in the biz. Mon Oct 29 16:26:31 -0800 2001 1028677 0 bob 1 1028703 I've read the book and I live around the corner from the restaurant. It's definitely wonderful (as is the book) - and having worked in food service, nothing he said truly surprised me. And I know that Bourdain recommends against eating mussels in restaurants, but the moules frites there are great! Mon Oct 29 19:28:03 -0800 2001 1028677 0 Lina 1 1028756 Great to hear the restaurant lives up to the book. Can't wait to try it on a trip home. Tue Oct 30 15:32:21 -0800 2001 1028677 0 Mark 1 1028891 A few Sundays ago I had dinner with my visiting parents at Tabla's Bread Bar. It was good but not great. We needed a change of scene for dessert, so I walked them up to Les Halles. Although the profiteroles were very good, the chocolate banana torte was so phenomenal that I still crave it weeks later. We loved the atmosphere and regret we hadn't had dinner there instead. Next time we will! I would go off hours though because the seats are on top of each other. Fri Nov 02 13:58:19 -0800 2001 1028677 0 zjc 1 1028892 see the Wednesday, May 10 in an archived page from my dining diary (link below) for my take on the place, FWIW. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/dinner/1-5-00.html Fri Nov 02 14:04:38 -0800 2001 1028677 0 Jim Leff