194038 Thu Mar 07 20:51:34 -0800 2002 6 18 Manhattan 0 1035544 i think this place just opened tonight. anybody who went can report back on it? i have a reservation on saturday night. for those who don't know, the chef is scott ehrlich, from 71 clinton, i believe. he used to be there with wylie dufresne. they have a preview menu right now. Thu Mar 07 20:51:34 -0800 2002 0 ltjbukem 1 1035558 Ltjbukem, If you scroll down a few pages, I started a thread at the beginning of the week on Alias (I've attached it as well). To make a long story short, we were really excited about trying out Alias but were disappointed and thought most of the flavors were more than a bit off. But I'd be interested to hear how your experience is different (or the same) and if they've tweaked anyting after their first week of opening. Please report back! Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/193975#1035223 Fri Mar 08 08:34:07 -0800 2002 1035544 0 HBear 2 1035565 some of the things on the scroll were a little too negative for the genre i believe. people talk about the chef like he is "of 71 and aka" like what are these places anyway? why are grand expectations being formulated on such a pedigree? it is indeed impressive that one is able to successfully maintain a restaurant of this nature but i do not think as far as flavors go one should expect 3 star food, i mean look at the prices. i ate 3 apps and 2 entrees there last night and with 4 drinks the bill was like 90 bucks, i mean shit, nothing pissed me off and some of the food was downright tasty. you cannot afford to make dbl. consomme as sauce base or saute things in graisse de foie gras or even use the lovely cepes that are in season for this menu price. i just think that this place should be taken for face value if you are actually interested in enjoying yourself. Fri Mar 08 11:10:45 -0800 2002 1035558 0 chauncey 3 1035580 wait, so do you think it's over priced or not? for what you got for $90 seems very fair to me. plus your message is kind of obtuse...you're right. we shouldn't grant it accolades on the strength of the chef being from 71 and aka.. but did you think it was great in and of itself, but compared to 71 /aka, it wasn't all that? Fri Mar 08 13:33:32 -0800 2002 1035565 0 ltjbukem 4 1035598 i thought 90 was a fine price to pay for the food, and the experience, compared to 90 bucks i thought it was worth it and i'll go back Fri Mar 08 16:50:06 -0800 2002 1035580 0 chauncey 3 1035581 Chauncey, It was probably my negative comments you read, and for not conveying my message well enough--I apologize. I was not trying to say that we were expecting 3 star food, but merely the fact that I've enjoyed 71 clinton/aka cafe a lot (especially the latter for its delicious and simple fare). However, unlike yourself, we had a poor impression of Alias upon our visit. I was not expecting foie gras or the like, just simple food cooked well and I didn't get that. I mean, the sauerkraut and noodles that came with our pork tasted pretty bad. I'm the first to admit that I'm a glutton, but we couldn't even finish this dish. I'm glad that you had a positive experience, and maybe should think about posting what you specifically had so others can get a different perspective on the place than mine. Fri Mar 08 13:41:41 -0800 2002 1035565 0 HBear 4 1035597 hey i suppose you are right i mean if you went to soft openings maybe the food really blew but i just can not believe that it is the same place we are talking about.i had the pork and so the pork was alittle undercooked but the dish was really just fine. also had the trout,good, ceviche needed alittle acid but good, the smoked sable delicious, and the skate plate was just fine i thought, especially for the price. i just think if we really love restaurants we should create better karma for them and not hang them out to dry after the first few days of operation. Fri Mar 08 16:47:41 -0800 2002 1035581 0 chauncey