347307 Fri Dec 01 16:59:04 -0800 2006 2 18 Manhattan 0 2061830 I'm heading to Pera - new Turkish near Grand Central - this weekend and am curious to hear reviews? Fri Dec 01 16:59:04 -0800 2006 18491 manda_sue 1 2062391 I posted a message asking the same about a week or so ago and didn't get any responses. I haven't been yet, but plan to go soon. Look forward to hearing about it - please report back. Fri Dec 01 19:31:19 -0800 2006 2061830 51931 alyssi 1 2188863 I went to Pera about two weeks ago for lunch as I work in the midtown area and was dying for an alternative to the regular fare. I was thoroughly disappointed: food was so-so, but it was really the service that I thought was simply awful. If the food had been excellent, I may have decided to give it another try but based on my experience, I'd rather go back to Naples and Tropica and some other Midtown staples for business lunches unless someone can post and convince me to go back and try it out again. I recently also had a very good experience at Koi in the Bryant Park hotel. Here are some details of my horrendous experience. We had reservations, and it took them 10 minutes to seat us even though the restaurant was empty and there were a ton of waitstaff milling around. The entranceway was chaotic because there was a table of 10 or so who did not have reservations, and needed to check their coats so me and my friend had to patiently wait until they were seated before anyone could tend to us. Once seated, we were given a dirty look by our waitress because we only wanted tap water, and not "still' or "sparkling", which were the only two options she gave us. She then returned 2 seconds later to take our order, but not before recommending the most expensive appetizer on the menu (without any explanation). We expressed that we needed a bit more time, and she then proceeded to hover and stare at us. Not sure of her intention, since at that point, the restaurant was still relatively empty. We were finally ordered, and proceeded to wait patiently (yet again) for our hummus appetizer. For some unknown reason, they had to change our silverware, but still no hummus. The restaurant started filling up, and other tables were ordering, but still no hummus. Then hot appetizers for other tables came out, but still no hummus. About 20 minutes later we inquired about our hummus, and the sullen waittress said, "Ah yes, I was just wondering about that". The the hummus came out, and a mere 2 minutes later, our main courses followed suit. They again felt the need to replace our silverware and also removed our appetizer plates when we were clearly not done with the appetizer. I couldn't remember what I ordered (I think it may have been a shrimp dish), but it didn't knock my socks off and on top of that, it wasn't piping hot. At that point, I was just ready to leave. I didn't finish my meal, didn't bother with dessert or coffee (which I love), left a less than desirable tip and left as quick as I could! With so many good restaurants in Manhattan, there's just absolutely no excuse for a place like that to exist and it made me so angry! They do have a nice bar and lounge in the front area, which I may be convinced to try, but not returning here for the food. Sun Jan 14 23:45:33 -0800 2007 2061830 66946 iloveguacamole