214169 Sun Sep 19 17:02:45 -0700 2004 9 18 Manhattan 0 1140551 Do they exist? I have never had the opportunity to have a tasting menu anywhere, and was wondering if there are any restaurants in NYC that can do tasting menus for people eating along. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Sun Sep 19 17:02:45 -0700 2004 0 I_<3_NYC_FOOD 1 1140553 Any restaurant that offers a tasting menu will do it for a solo diner. What may be confusing you is that most restaurants will only do tasting menus if the entire table orders it. Since you will be constituting the "entire table" -- no problem! Sun Sep 19 17:24:00 -0700 2004 1140551 0 RGR 2 1140555 I am pretty sure both Babbo and Per Se would work as well as any other rest Sun Sep 19 17:40:39 -0700 2004 1140553 0 ChrisZ 3 1140563 actually -- most restaurants, as far as I know, will NOT do a tasting for just one -- Per Se is an exception, Babbo is not. Sun Sep 19 19:11:36 -0700 2004 1140555 0 kiki aru 4 1140590 That has been my experience as well. Actually one of the places where I was interested in doing the tasting menu was at Babbo, and that would not do it for solo diners. (Although, I walked away with no hard feelings after ordering everything a la carte, and having overall one of the best meals I have ever eaten). Just last week, I was in the mood to give Po a try, so I called to see about their tasting menu, and they said that they don't do the tasting menu for solo diners either. So, I figured it was time to turn to the experts at Chowhound to see if I could find anywhere in Manhattan that would do a tasting menu for solo diners. Mon Sep 20 00:13:08 -0700 2004 1140563 0 I_<3_NYC_FOOD 4 1140647 I strongly disagree. Babbo may or may not be an exception, but almost everywhere will serve a tasting menu for one if you can get yourself a table. Per Se, Jean-Georges, Atelier, Fleur de Sel, Gramercy Tavern, Union Pacific, WD-50, and in fact I can't think of one exception (Babbo I just don't know). There is no doubt about it. Of course, some restaurants are reluctant to give a table to a solo diner at all, but that's a different matter. Mon Sep 20 12:45:47 -0700 2004 1140563 0 Wilfrid 5 1140668 Never dined at Babbo alone, but I feel you should call ahead as it is always possible with notice. Even if they don't they are a good place to allow the staff to help create your own tasting menu. Also, I went to Nobu solo once and they did offer the omaske. Mon Sep 20 14:09:27 -0700 2004 1140647 0 ChrisZ 6 1140875 Babbo does not offer the tasting menu to solo diners. I highly doubt they are the only restaurant with this restriction. Tue Sep 21 16:01:06 -0700 2004 1140668 0 Nathan 5 1140720 i think it's bad business if they don't offer one, of course they won't seat you at a table for four, but why not a table for two, a nice little two-top always works. and if you're going alone and just indulging in the tasting menu that 's the best way to do it (personally, i don't like un-necessary converstion when i'm at a gastronome style joint inhaling white truffles, caviar, slabs of foie gras, farmer's markets veggies, and the well-tunededness of a fine chef). Mon Sep 20 17:04:53 -0700 2004 1140647 0 kevin 4 1140670 As long as a single is taking up a table, why would a restaurant not PREFER to sell that person the most expensive thing on the menu, i.e. a tasting menu? I've not eaten alone in NYC, but I've had tasting menus at Charlie Trotter and TRU in Chicago. Mon Sep 20 14:14:37 -0700 2004 1140563 0 danna